Power Metal
Sound Apocalypse
Shred Heaven, Drum Hell🎵 Tracklist:
Track 1: No Uncertain Terms
Track 2: New Low
Track 3: Drowning In Sorrows
Track 4: Zerzan Wept
Track 5: #ForeverHome
Track 6: The Lovers Of Life
Track 7: Inventory
Track 8: Six Black Lines (Plagues Upon Plagues)
🎸 Album Review:
Sect, the hardcore punk supergroup comprised of members from bands like Earth Crisis, Cursed, and Fall Out Boy, have unleashed their latest sonic assault with “Plagues Upon Plagues.” This album, released on Southern Lord Records, is a relentless barrage of aggression and intensity that explores themes of societal decay, environmental destruction, and the human capacity for cruelty.
From the opening track, “No Uncertain Terms,” Sect waste no time in establishing their fierce sound. The raw, chaotic energy of the band is palpable, with blistering riffs, pummeling drums, and ferocious vocals that seethe with anger and defiance. The production on the album is suitably raw and abrasive, adding to the sense of urgency and immediacy that permeates each track.
Standout tracks like “New Low” and “Drowning In Sorrows” showcase Sect at the peak of their powers, combining crushing heaviness with moments of melodic intricacy. The band’s ability to seamlessly blend bone-crushing breakdowns with moments of haunting beauty is truly impressive, creating a dynamic and multi-dimensional listening experience.
One of the most striking tracks on the album is “Zerzan Wept,” a blistering diatribe against the destructive forces of industrial civilization. The frenetic pace and searing intensity of the track perfectly encapsulate the band’s unwavering commitment to confronting uncomfortable truths and challenging the status quo.
“#ForeverHome” and “The Lovers Of Life” offer moments of respite amidst the sonic onslaught, with haunting melodies and introspective lyrics that add depth and nuance to the album. These tracks showcase Sect’s ability to craft songs that are both emotionally resonant and sonically devastating, further solidifying their reputation as one of the most formidable bands in the hardcore scene.
“Inventory” serves as a gut-wrenching examination of the toll of unchecked consumerism and environmental degradation, with lyrics that cut straight to the core of the band’s socio-political convictions. The track’s relentless energy and unflinching honesty make it a standout moment on an album filled with powerful and thought-provoking songs.
Closing track “Six Black Lines (Plagues Upon Plagues)” is a sprawling epic that serves as the perfect culmination of everything that has come before. The track builds to a crescendo of crushing riffs and impassioned screams, leaving the listener breathless and emotionally drained.
In comparison to Sect’s previous albums, “Plagues Upon Plagues” feels like a natural progression of their sound and vision. While their earlier releases were no less intense or incendiary, this album sees the band pushing themselves to new heights of creativity and emotional depth. The songwriting is more nuanced, the performances more visceral, and the overall impact more profound.
“Plagues Upon Plagues” is a searing indictment of a world in turmoil, a sonic manifesto that demands to be heard and reckoned with. Sect have crafted an album that is not only a sonic tour de force but also a powerful statement of defiance and resistance. In a genre often plagued by cliches and empty posturing, Sect stand out as a band with something urgent and important to say.
In conclusion, “Plagues Upon Plagues” is a masterclass in hardcore punk that will leave listeners reeling and hungry for more. Sect have delivered an album that is as challenging as it is cathartic, as brutal as it is beautiful. This is essential listening for anyone who craves music with a message and a purpose.
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