Sorrow Plagues - Sorrow Plagues

Describing the soulful and powerful music that Sorrow Plagues is able to skillfully produce is merely impossible with mortal words as what this one man band creates ascends even the Heavens. This is music that battle hardened soldiers with the sharpest of swords and axes would be proud to fight with in Valhalla. I can only imagine that if Odin and the other Norse Gods formed a band together, they would sound exactly how Sorrow Plagues does. But, before I continue to shower this band with praise, let me give you a little introduction.

Sorrow Plagues is David Lovejoy from the United Kingdom who describes his music as atmospheric Black Metal. However, I would also like to say that power metal plays a huge part in his music - which I will get to later. Formed in 2014, Lovejoy initially released his debut EP "It Will Never End" in digital and cassette formats in August of that year. With fans celebrating both him and his downright uplifting spiritual black metal from the start, Lovejoy went on to release two EPs and two singles. 2016 sees the return of Sorrow Plagues with his debut album of the same name. 

I do think that this album has got to represent all of Lovejoy's craftsmanship that he has curated over a little more than a year. Like riding a griffin to purge a cursed land of all its evil creatures and lore - and though it may be early in the year - Sorrow Plagues is the best album of 2016 I've had the pleasure of listening to thus far. 

'Fade' comes in without compromise; while the guitar work provides boost in confidence, the drum work is speedy and quite good but slows with the beat as needed. When I mentioned power metal above, I should point you to the two minute and eight second part of the track; glorious and eloquent 80s inspired guitar work hits heavy. The background synth work constantly reminds the listener that whatever they may be facing, be it a physical confrontation like a Viking or an emotional struggle, there is always an army backing them. 

Aspirations shows more promise with piano work striking in as well. This song takes queues from the previous one, almost like a part two or a continuation, but the epic and well orchestrated sound does not lose its grace. What I would also like to mention now would be Sorrow Plagues unique take on black metal vocals. Most of the time, singers put their vocals above and beyond the music itself. Sorrow Plagues does not. This musician is smart enough to let the music talk for itself, and instead fuses his vocals with all the other instruments. Rather than just being another dead pair of screaming chords, Sorrow Plagues allows his screaming to beautifully act as another instrument in comparison with the rest.

Focusing in on the ethereal sound always present in the background of his other works, 'Awaken' plays out like a hopeful and inspiring chant. This is music that should be used at graduation ceremonies instead of all that other pathetic and sentimental shit. However, taking us back into the thick of battle comes 'Twilight', which serves up a wicked guitar solo segment around the two minute and twenty eight second mark. It follows up into a slow build up that unleashed us back into the pure fires of the underworld moments later. 

'Surrender' roars to us with more sweeping and emotional tunes, but cuts off half way between the song with folk-ish like piano work. For the rest of the song, we are moved through this battle with delicacy and grace. Very well paced drum work that pulses lovingly guides us through this movement in stellar manner. 

Finally, the final track 'Redemption' sees us carried through this battle. This isn't a rough song by far; it's quite calm and lasts ten minutes long. This is the kind of music that metal heads listen to when they are in a dark spot and need anti-depressants and I can guarantee that this album will fucking get you out of any dark pit you find yourself in. It's just that good. 

I've heard so many people in the past talk about pick-me-up albums that they listen to when they're sad or upset, but most of the time it falls under sappy, poor music that I just cannot listen to at all. For the rest of us, though, that small percentage that falls in love with alternative and darker fashions, Sorrow Plagues has developed an album that will both drag you to Hell but emerge you immune to whatever demons assault you. This album will make you rip your fears and enemies to shreds. Lovejoy has a serious amount of talent in him as if all the Norse Gods are lending him their talents to create powerful music for Ragnarok. And everyone should listen to it. 
Feb 06 2016