ALBUM REVIEW: Reptilian Warlords – Plaguemace
Despite its rotting carcass, the revival of old school sounding death metal is still alive and kicking. Spearheaded by a wave of crushing bands, typically from across the Atlantic in North America, the revival has breathed a resurgence into metal’s most aggressive sub-genre. Now, looking to join the feast are Danish newcomers PLAGUEMACE with their debut offering Reptilian Warlords. And for death metal aficionados, it’s another killer addition to a scene that is proving to be continuously fruitful.
Thematically set in a universe of the band’s own making, PLAGUEMACE offer no subtlety or nuance to their craft; this is gut-punching unadulterated death metal. Album opener Cannibalicious sets the tone in explosive fashion as a rolling thunder of double bass kicks and grim-soaked riffs proceed to batter the eardrums whilst Andreas Truelsen‘s punchy gutturals cut through the noise in the most effective of fashions. It’s an explosive start to the record and demonstrates the band’s tenacity for aural carnage.
From there, PLAGUEMACE continue to unleash a sonic barrage that will tick all the boxes for those well-versed in the death metal genre. Impenetrable Leather swings the axe like a murderous metronome as the grooves from guitarists Simon Truelsen and Anton Holm Smidstrup connect; Rhythmic Demise could sit comfortably on an ASPHYX record thanks to its doom-tinged passages and hulking stomp; and the incorporation of trumpets in interluding number Warcries From The Crypts is a nice spin to build anticipation before the blistering Among The Filth proceeds to pummel you relentlessly.
Elsewhere, the title track unveils a riff that will have die-hards pulling their best stank face whilst Truelsen dispatches some truly monstrous gutturals; Misanthropic Breed snaps and contorts as the riffs connect with you as easily as snapping two pieces of Lego together; and Ambrosia is a near nine-minute behemoth that crawls at a funeral doom pace before exploding into monolithic death metal that encapsulates everything that is fucking solid about this promising band. It’s clear that PLAGUEMACE wear their influences on their collective sleeves and Reptilian Warlords feels very much like a love letter to the greats that first emerged from the depths decades prior.
Those well-versed in the revival of the OSDM sound will find a lot to love about Reptilian Warlords. It’s clear that PLAGUEMACE have a potency for crafting white hot death metal that hits with the weight of a sledgehammer. And whilst it might not be the most original thing you’ve heard this year, if you want a knuckle-dragging, thunderous foray into their violent world then strap yourself in. It’s a wild ride.
Rating: 8/10
Reptilian Warlords is out now via Napalm Records.
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