EP REVIEW: Rotting Dominions – Plagued

Death metal is crawling its way into its fourth decade. Since its inception in the late 80s, given life by DEATH and POSSESED, this grimy little corner of metal’s underbelly has explored just about every excruciatingly loathsome method to make ears bleed, and has done a damn good job of it. But for a genre once built on shock factor, the power to surprise has dwindled. In the 2020’s, DM demands innovation. PLAGUED is more than obliged to answer.

Kicking and screaming from the humble moors of East Anglia, where only CRADLE OF FILTH is the most noteworthy alumnus, PLAGUED’s first statement of intent Rotting Dominions isn’t shy to meddle with the rulebook. The five-track assault evokes pure old-school ambience, conjoined with acerbic barks and brain-mashing drumbeats, but happily injects homages to hardcore and metalcore stylings to keep the beatings feeling three-dimensional. 

Genre devotees will feel at home as the band effortlessly captures the sensory offensive the space is known for, with each track reeking of refuse from the bottom of a food bin, and sporting the sludgy consistency of a digestive awaiting rescue from the bottom of a cup of tea. Plus, with a runtime that is only just knocking on the door of 22-minutes, the EP is suitably content to rip your head off and scarper without as much of a goodbye.

But by Christ do they make use of their time. Case and point being the opener, Boneshaper. Other than being a terrible name for a chiropractor, this track serves as PLAGUED’s perfect introduction. Bordering on elements of the progressive, the five-piece display dexterous levels of craft in a space so often misjudged for glorifying senseless aggression. 

Equally, the EP still feels just as comfortable retracing the genre’s traditional roots with fresh eyes. Tracks like Malediction and Divine Infection wear their influences proudly, with BLOODBATH, GATECREEPER, and CREEPING DEATH being home favourites, but it never goes beyond a humble nod. Behind the grime and dirt, PLAGUED always shine with a clear identity. 

An utterly triumphant first outing that marks a needed boost to the region’s writhing underbelly, PLAGUED can rest assured they’ve made a first impression unlikely to be forgotten. 

Rating: 9/10

Rotting Dominions is set for release on February 27th via self-release. 

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