New Veins For Old Blood
(Fallen Temple)
38:38min
Czech Black Metal band PLAGUE GOD have released their first regular album “New Veins For Old Blood” featuring Armo (all instruments and vocals) and Dr. Fe (vocals) who has apparently passed (RIP). Not much info is found on this Black Metal band. But I will say the band photo on the main page of Metal Archives is one of the oddest looking photos I’ve seen. And this is Black Metal, so… Regardless, PLAGUE GOD have a couple of demos and a compilation album under their belt. And prior practice with those releases show on the very satisfying new full length. After the ‘Intro’ of chamber music, ‘Charlatan Healer’ evolves with its blast beats, atmospheric guitars and frog-throated vocals. There’s no debate that the band is fully encased in old school Black Metal admiration. ‘Satan Gives Me Strenght!’ (spelling correct?) carries on the torch with pulsing drums and foggy guitars. The love for early DARKTHRONE is apparent and is proven on the final track ‘Transylvanian Hunger’. ‘Book Of Books’ doesn’t really change much from the prior track, but still is enjoyable regardless. ‘Intermezzo’ is an instrumental ambient track with waves and melancholic vibes that leads into ‘Bloodbath’, with a helluva classic feel to it in its mid-tempo, then upbeat pace and squelching vocals. ‘Erra And Terrifying Seven’ (what a title!) erupts with vainglorious fury as ‘Vikings’ slows it down a notch to wrap up the band-written tracks before they unleash their interpretation of DARKTHRONE. “New Veins For Old Blood” is just that… new tracks to usher in the old school Black Metal sound. It doesn’t bring anything new to the table, but it certainly is damn good in its simplicity. For more info, check out www.facebook.com/plaguegod.bm, www.facebook.com/fallentemple666
David Simonton