There can be few more aptly named bands than Detroit powerhouse quartet Plague Years. Described by Revolver magazine as “genuinely mean,” their 2019 album Circle of Darkness caught my attention; it was something of a modern-day thrash classic with ferocious Slayer style riffs, the velocity of Power Trip in full flow and with the gnarly undercurrent of early Kreator and Sodom. If you asked me to describe Plague Years with a single image, it would be a rust-coated blade. Capable not only of doing damage but leaving a permanent scar.
Plague Years combine down-tuned guitars with elements of old school death metal, particularly Tim Engelhardt’s gruff vocals. The sound is huge, muscular and oh so punishing. All Will Suffer continues where Circle of Darkness left off. Four songs of relentless aggression, this is an EP that smashes and grabs. A forearm smash to the face, leaving you confused and in a puddle of your own liquid.
Having spent time on the road with The Black Dahlia Murder, Skeletal Remains, Exhorder, and Somnuri, Plague Years have now honed their sound into an even more sadistic delivery. Alongside Engelhardt, guitarist Eric Lauder (who tracked guitar, bass, and vocals), bassist Rain Staber and drummer Mike Jurysta are unrelenting, with the 17 minutes on offer being sheer savagery.
Opener “Make You Mortal” kicks off with a killer riff that summons up Obituary and Sepultura in their prime, whilst “Suffer” provides little respite with more heavy intensity in the riff department, kicking into top speed thrash after a slower, restrained intro. This is pit inducing metal.
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“Reality of Filth” maintains the tempo with another chugging intro that will have heads nodding before it drops a gear and moves into the neo-thrash/crossover style that the band do so well. This leads to the final track “Cursed” which is another face-melting blast and the longest track on the EP at just over five minutes of brutality to conclude matters.
A timely reminder of their prowess, Plague Years have released an EP that should come with a health warning. Play it if you dare.
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All Will Suffer is out on July 8th
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