Hailing from Greece there has been a death metal band biding its time for years until the debut would be unleashed. That band is Plague who formed in 2011, released a short two song EP titled Abyssdiver in 2014 then went back into the shadows to continue working on their craft on what would eventually become the debut album Portraits of Mind. Influenced by the early scene of death metal and on a label (Redefining Darkness Records) that very rarely disappoint me I instantly knew that this could be something right up my alley.

There is no reason for any death metal fan to skip out on this album. An absolutely fantastic debut album from Plague and well worth the wait. Production is on point, the band plays like they were an veteran act and their musicianship shines brightly throughout the whole album as every single bit of equipment has its moment of triumph, without being forced or anything like that. Plague had me on the hook line and sinker straight from the opener “Intersperse” and then easily reeled me in. This is 36 minutes of pure death metal joy which will leave the old school Massacre fans begging for more as at times Plague almost seems like an reincarnation version of them. Together with Sallow Moth (who plays a different kind of old school death, read the review here) I’m now left in awe with two fantastic releases and immense surprises to start 2020 in a big way. Plague may be from Greece but they perform the American old school death metal way with incredible precision. One of those albums where the promo description really fits the bill and I can just nod as I read it because it wasn’t just PR talk. I hardly ever do this but I’m going to leave you with a quote from the promo that actually says it all. “Portraits of Mind is a bludgeoning affair…one that often effortlessly combines simplicity in form with stellar musicianship. The result is a lesson in Death Metal; one that borrows heavily from the early 90’s American scene. This album is the perfect balance of everything that makes Death Metal great – you’ll see for yourself.” Redefining Darkness Records were right on the money with this one and yet again they bring forth a superb death metal band from the shadows into the light.

Artist: Plague

Label: Redefining Darkness Records (NA) / Nuclear Winter Records (Europe)

For fans of: Massacre & Brutality

Release date: February 14th, 2020

Favorite song: Deranged Madness

Score: 4/5 Excellent