Northern Plague/Scorn The Idle/2017 CD Review

  Northern  Plague  are  a  band  from  Poland  that  plays  a  blackened  form  of  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released 2017  album  "Scorn  The  Idle".

  Distorted  amp  sounds  and  atmospheric  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  before  adding  in  drums  and  melodic  guitar  leads  onto  the  recording  and  after  awhile  heavy  guitar  riffs  and  grim  black  metal screams  start  to  make  their  presence  known  while  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  while  the  riffs  also  bring  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  after  awhile  the  music  starts  incorporating  more  death  metal  elements  and  spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  a  later  track  also  introducing  clean  playing  onto  the  recording  and  some  of  the t racks  are  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Northern  Plague  creates  another  recording  that  remains  true  to  the  blackened  death  metal  style  of  previous  releases,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the lyrics  cover  dark  and  philosophical  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Northern  Plague  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  blackened  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Blindsight"  "The  Day  After"  "Vainglory  Altar"  and  "Versus  The  World".  8  out of  10.

Link to “Crown for Fools”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9Q-dcMtoKk
Link to “Man of Glass”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2ebpMAKHPA


  

Northern Plague Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?

Fen: Hey! The releasing process takes much time, so we had some work since the end of the recording session. The cover, layout for digipack, working on the distribution channels... What`s more, the concerts are one of the most important parts of this music for us, so soon we`ll announce two tours. A lot of challenges for a young band, but this is what gets me going. I really like it.

2.You have a new album coming out early this year, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction it has taken and also how does it differ from the album you released in 2011?

"Manifesto" is our second release. After the first EP "Blizzard of the North" we played a lot of concerts but all this time we had many ideas for a new material. We wanted to record a full-length, cohesive album with good sound where we put all our hearts and emotions in the songs. "Manifesto" is definitely better arranged, with large variations of atmosphere and at the same time with a main idea, main theme in all songs.

3.Seem of your lyrics cover ancient mythology and misanthropy, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?

Yes, you are right, lyrics on "Manifesto" contains different varieties of metaphors and references to mythologies. I really like myths, especially from the Near East and Ancient Rome. At my university I had a lot of lectures about that so I must remember some things . You know, history is absolutely amazing and you may find many analogies to modern times there. We live in strange times, at the edge of big changes and in texts you can find it.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Northern Plague".

At the beginning we sat in the rehearsal room and brainstormed like crazy. I do not remember who said that "plague from the north" (we live in north-east part of Poland) fits us and it wasn`t long till this idea was forged into "Northern Plague". And that`s the story :)

5.Out of all the live shows and tours you have done, which one did you enjoy the most?

Touring and concerts are always a big adventure. New places, new people, hundreds of kilometers in a van - there is nothing better for us. "Baptizing Europe in Blood" - last tour with the Brazilian devils of Unearthly was totally awesome. They are really nice guys and I hope we will meet in the future again.

6.What are the touring plans for the new album?

For some days we`ll play first show with the new material from "Manifesto". Soon we will announce two tours - one in Poland and Germany, second in Russia and other countries. During summer we have Under The Black Sun Festival [Germany] and Blackened Life Festival [Russia] and I hope it`s not the end.

7.The new album came out on Folter Records a label more known for black metal, and while you have that in your sound you also heavy a good amount of death metal, how do you feel that you fit on this label?

Folter Records is a VERY professional label with experienced management. We are proud they decided to release our album. We have full support from their side and I am sure that they believe in our music. Even if it`s death metal with black influences.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to the newer material by fans of black and death metal?

It is too early to talk about feedback but even now we have a lot of good reviews and orders from different countries. It`s pleasing.

9.What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

I honestly don`t know. Now it`s time for "Manifesto" and we don`t think about future releases. It doesn`t matter at this time. 

10.What are some bands or musical styles that have had an infleunce on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

I`m a big fan of Spotify, so every day I discover new bands and music. Now on my playlist you can find John Lee Hooker, Black Sabbath, Blindead, Nine Inch Nails, Gojira and Anaal Nathrakh.

11.Do you have any non musical interests?

Of course! Especially books - I read tons of books on my reader. I am tech-fan too - you know, mobile phones, tablets, new technologies :)

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Listen and support - I hope we will meet on a Northern Plague concert in the future. Remember about our new album "Manifesto".

Best regards!

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Northern Plague/Manifesto/Folter Records/2014 CD Review

  Northern  Plague  are  a  band  from  Poland  that  plays  a  blackened  form  of  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "Manifesto"  which  was released  by  Folter  Records.

  The  album  starts  out  with  dark  sound  effects  before  going  into  a  more  heavy  Polish  death  metal  direction  along  with  a  good  sense  of  melody  and  then  the  music  gets  really  fast  along  with  a  good  amount  of  blast  beats  and  then  slowing  down  and  adding  in  black  metal  vocals  and  then  the  music  starts  alternating  between  slow,  fast  and  mid  paced  parts  as  well  as  adding  solos  to  their  brutal  assault.

  As  the  album  progresses  the  band  brings  in  a  great  balance  of  melody  and  brutality  as  well  as  combining  black  and  death  metal  together  in  the  vocals  as  well  as  making  each  song  sound  different  from  each  other  while  keeping  around  the  heaviness  and  brutality  as  well  as  evoking  a  dark  atmosphere  as  well  as  adding  more  melody  to  the  guitar  leads  and  solos.  

  Northern  Plague  bring  a  lot  out  with  their  music  taking  the  Polish  death  metal  sound  of  their  own  country  and  adding  in  more  brutality  and  melody  as  well  as  having  a  good  amount  of  black  metal  influences  and  this  album  really  stands  out  with  its  balance  between  heaviness,  brutality,  skill  and  melody.

  Song  lyrics  cover  Darkness  and  Occultism  themes,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  along  with  the  bass  guitars  being  mixed  down  low  in  the  mix  but  they  do  sound  very  powerful  on  the  last  song.

  In  my  opinion  Northern  Plague  are  a  very  great  sounding  blackened  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Region  Mother  War"  "Legion"  and  "Manifesto".  8/5  out  of  10.

Homepage: www.northernplague.pl
Facebook: www.facebook.com/northernplague