Symphonic black 'n' death-core? Not that I'm trying to create a new 'sub-genre' tag or anything, but that's kind of what you get on the sophomore release from California's Winds of Plague. Decimate the Weak is the band's debut for Century Media Records, a ten-track collection of heavy hitters that should appeal to a wide variety of metal fans. At their 'core', Winds of Plague are a hardcore band, but their use of orchestral keyboard tapestries, death metal growls, and black metal shrieks, give their music a certain all-encompassing quality that almost makes it hard to classify them. On one hand, there is the catchy epic "Anthems of Apocalypse" which has an almost Dimmu Borgir/Cradle of Filth feel to it, then you have the intense death metal attack of "Decimate the Weak", which is almost like a head on collision between Nile, Anthrax, Unearth, and Deicide. In a way, Winds of Plague take a similar approach to the band Bleeding Through with their use of keyboards and varying styles, but these guys are a bit heavier and a bit more brutal along the lines of Burn in Silence. The keyboard work of Matt Fineman is what sets this band apart from other acts in the genre, his sweeping, majestic synth textures pretty upfront in the mix, and offer a contrast to the crushing riffing, manic drum work, and growling vocals. Some might find the keyboards to be somewhat of a distraction, but to these ears they add a nice touch and certainly give these songs a classy & grand sheen.
Overall, this is solid stuff here, Winds of Plague showing that they can deliver kick ass symphonic extreme metal fare like "One Body Too Many" and "Legions" that can please those into the metalcore, death metal, and black metal scenes. If I were them would have shied away from including a track like "Reloaded", which is basically straight ahead generic hardcore and sounds completely out of place here, and they might want to consider easing up on the swearing next time around, but these minor hiccups can be forgiven on an otherwise strong release.
Track Listing
1. A Cold Day In Hell
2. Anthems Of Apocalypse
3. The Impaler
4. Decimate The Weak
5. Origins And Endings
6. Angels Of Debauchery
7. Reloaded
8. Unbreakable
9. One Body Too Many
10. Legions
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