Plague Rider – Intensities
Release Date: 10th November 2023
Label: Transcending Obscurity
Bandcamp
Genre: Technical Death Metal, Avant-Garde Metal.
FFO: Atheist, Pyrrhon, Diskord, Dyschordia.
Review By: Carlos Tirado
Dissonance and atonality have been subject to various interpretations in music, from figures like Schorenberg to Gorguts. At times, it may seem that we’ve exhausted all the possibilities within this subgenre of Death Metal that I hold dear. Many bands have pushed their riffs to the limits, resulting in music that can be hard to digest, and this process sometimes leads to a loss of notes and colour in their songs. While this year has been remarkable for Death Metal in general, this specific sub-genre has seen relatively fewer high-profile releases. However, Plage Rider‘s Intensities emerges as a promising album, reminding us that the subgenre still harbours creativity and madness within our humble art.
Describing Intensities is akin to presenting a contemporary take on Atheist’s timeless classic, Unquestionable Presence. This is a high compliment, as Unquestionable Presence stands as one of the finest metal albums ever created. Nonetheless, Plage Rider‘s approach is distinct, emphasizing chaos and perversion over Atheist’s musical humour. It draws inspiration from bands like Pyrrhon and Diskord but manages to maintain a more accessible sound. Do not be deceived, though; this is not the music you’d play at a wedding (unless, of course, you’d invite me with this soundtrack!). It remains unapologetically relentless and deranged.
Intensities could be analysed for its complexity and mercilessness, as well as the intricate finger work displayed by the guitar and bass. However, the album ventures into the realm of randomness and abstraction without descending into the chaos of The Dillinger Escape Plan’s Miss Machine. While headbanging isn’t an impulse here, it’s equally fascinating how the album subjects the listener to sheer debauchery without any regard for their sanity.
Balancing the album’s positives and negatives is a challenge. On one hand, the creative and chaotic, almost improvisational, nature of the music can be bewildering. It’s fair to say that none of the tracks fall into the category of being groovy. Attempting to follow songs like An Executive, Modern Serf, or Toil can feel like trying to navigate through a multitude of tracks condensed into one. A bit more of repetition in the songwriting might have made the album more accessible, as some may argue it leans towards being a collection of riffs rather than fully formed songs. It’s a valid criticism, as each song undergoes a multitude of changes.
Despite its drawbacks, Intensities offers a challenging and disquieting musical experience that revitalizes a genre that was beginning to feel stagnant. It may take time to fully appreciate, but this album undeniably grows on you. Its impact will certainly last!
(4 / 5)
