Prey For Plagues
Our New Jersey( did someone say Bon Jovi?) deathcore heroes return with their fifth album and we delve into the otherworldly sounding ‘The Sea Of Tragic Beasts’, the title conjures up all manner of fantastical creatures, each suffering/surviving in their own way. Written by founding member Will Putney he goes forth down a well- trodden path of anguish and pain. That does not mean his work isn’t justified; there are stories here that have been told before, but it is a damning indictment to humanity that these tales continue to be told.
The title track opens the show here and we have the heavy, grinding machinery revved up and ready to destroy all in its wake. However, the devilishly operatic chorus that pops up in the midst of the chaos is quite tasty folks. The lyric ‘rise from the sea and fall in the fire with me’ is capitalising on the duality of nature and nurture, the rise and fall of our existence. The idea of elevating above it all then plunging helplessly into the fire below.
‘And the hell in your mind is now your reality’ is dangerously on point as to how many of us feel, there is no escape from the insanity that engulfs our lives. ‘Shepherd’ has a stunning introduction and refrain and then, ladies and gents prepare to run into a clenched fist. ‘Your Pain Is Mine’ has a huge chorus allowing for an acceptance, an acknowledgment and maybe a little forgiveness in the line ‘and I plead that you were given just a chance to be free, maybe in time, but know I tried’.
The themes are relevant and disturbing as we still fight the war on drugs as discussed in ‘Mirrors’ with its vivid imagery and cruel ending.
Our Creator is given a stern word in ‘Unloved’ as we learn that ‘ hate is the only gift from God’, skilfully wrapped in barbed wire and shoved through your letter box so you can distribute as you see fit. A chance to ‘Mourn’ as ‘our prayers are nothing but empty apologies’ and we ride the power surge of a bridge leading into quite an extraordinary breakdown. Politicians get a thoroughly deserved mauling in ‘Warfare’, they have been the demon that feeds on us night and day and we realise ‘ all you do is talk like you forgot how to fucking listen’. They have us trapped ‘ fear is the perfect prison’ is alarmingly accurate of how we live, too scared to speak up, too scared to move away, too scared to go against societal norms for fear of abandonment, and with that spine tingling riff at 3.41, this is sharp, sure of itself conception and arrangement. The punisher I think is ‘Napalm Dreams’ with its truth be told attitude ‘ earth owes you nothing but a hole to die in’ an epiphany maybe. The start of this song reminds me of Iron Maiden ‘Seventh Son’ with the feel of ‘seven downward slopes, seven bloodied hopes’ showing us that our trajectory remains unchanged.
A record powered by an incandescent rage, yet solemn and dignified.
Artists use valuable life experiences to formulate their songs and hopefully spread the gospel of being kindly human beings, they are in a favourable position as they are well travelled and see more than most, but what can you do when the world won’t listen?
‘All I wanted was a way out’, nuff said.
Fit For An Autopsy – The Sea Of Tragic Beasts out now via Nuclear Blast Records.