Artist: Winds Of Plague
Title: Against The World
Type: Album
Label: Century Media

Little kids singing accompanied by Alana Potocnik's over the top horror keyboards 'til Johnny Plague joins them with some death vocals on the intro "Raise The Dead" were a fun introduction to Winds Of Plague for me. The flowing keyboards continue on "One For The Butcher", a nice mid-paced track with a powerfully clicky kick drum beaten away by Art Cruz at three times the speed. Feeling slightly more up-tempo "Drop The Match" still has powerful but slow guitar riffs with long drawn out growls over them, then the vocals and drums speed up, but the guitars keep their pace. Initially all orchestral "Built For War" eventually breaks loose becoming a great death metal track. The line 'I don't fear evil, evil fucking fears me' on "Refined In The Fire" is hilarious and pretty much sums up the humour therein.

The almost oriental tinny keyboards used as primary background for the spoken "The Warrior Code" work really well. "Against The World" reminds me a bit of Fear Factory in its cyber styling and giving the Nicks (Piunno and Eash) a change to shred their guitars and on "Monsters" the intricate lead runs show they can play more than just heavy riffs. Johnny Plague alternates between deep growls and harsh rasps on "Most Hated" as the tempos change from slow to blast. I fucking love the title "Only Song We're Allowed To Play In Church Venues" cos it's so contrite that it's probably true. Awesome instrumental though. Hardcore vocals with a rap cadence are used on "California", while fast triplets are used by the guitars over blast beats on "Strength To Dominate" 'til it fades out on forlorn keyboard twinkling. An interesting album with many dynamic changes and twists making it well worth listening to.

http://www.myspace.com/windsofplague

Marco Gaminara

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