The opening of this album is the stuff nightmares and dreams are made of. 'Mills' is more a mission statement that anything I've ever heard. Four minutes of just flat out amazing power, yes, power. A force to be reckoned with. The fact being, Altar of Plagues probably pack more emotion into those first four minutes of bass and synths than most bands you've listened to this year.
I was very excited about being able to review this album based on previous albums, and all the good things I had heard about it. To say those expectations I had were met would be an understatement. Altar of Plagues have delivered an album of beautiful melancholy, dissonance, loathing, hatred, anger…I’m running out of words to really describe it. Not that any actual words will do it justice. That said, I’ll give it a shot, eh?
After opener 'Mills' we are subjected to an instant attack of blackened distortion and pummel on 'God Alone'. At times the instruments becoming even trance inducing, demanding me to feel enraged, engulfed in all I hate. The final few minutes of the song break into haunting chants and synths, (I recommend you have a great set of speakers or headphones to really FEEL this album and the power it has). Up next 'A Body Shrouded' barrows from hints of shoegaze, post-whatever-the-fuck, and shows a softer set of music to start. This eventually gives way to the screams and sounds of torture. It just doesn't come off as only black metal. I understand the black metal sound is open for interpretation nowadays (depending on who you ask), but this is truly primitive emotion summoning music.
'Twelve Was Ruin' and 'A Remedy And A Fever' are somewhat subdued tracks, very primal and electronic. If that makes no sense to you please do not take it as a bad thing. That is a very, very, very good thing. The English language almost fails me as to what words I can use to describe this. Instead imagine the tranced look on my face and my heart racing while my body cannot move. Maybe that helps?
The final three tracks on this album are monumental. Such energy and power just emitting from the speakers. Primal drumbeats, nervous guitars, screaming waves of sound, vocals that sound of a man at the end of his rope and ready to take the leap; This is the album every band wishes they could write, record and sell to the masses. This is a work of brutal honestly and devotion. Anybody looking to start a band these days needs to take notes from Altar of Plagues, and put this album on repeat. This is how you fucking do it.
HAIL!!!!!
Teethed Glory And Injury will be available on April 29th via Candlelight Records in the EU and on April 30th via Profound Lore Records in the US/CAN. If you want to know how it’s done, go and buy this album. You’ll be inspired to start, or give up totally. I don’t blame you for either. Support the bands you love and enjoy, go and buy this album.
