Society's Plague-The Human, The Canvass

Last Updated (Tuesday, 13 July 2010 12:54) Written by Miguel Blardony Monday, 28 June 2010 21:10

Release Date: June 21, 2010

Label:  Stand And Deliver Records

Genre: Symphonic Metalcore

Rating: 6.5/10

Comments: You’re not really sure how you’re gonna feel after listening to this album.

No doubt the dudes (and chick) calling themselves Society’s Plague have much to be proud of this year. An up-and-coming indie label is pushing their debut album hard and the product itself is quite impressive, blessed by such listener-friendly incentives as a polished mix, smart lyrics, and a refreshing verve that’s no doubt the sole driving force of the band. But it’s not all sunshine and blue skies, readers. It’s already 2010 and Society’s Plague still haven’t received the memo: Metalcore is long dead, ruined by Killswitch Engage’s redundant albums that parodied the very sound they created on “Alive..Or Just Breathing?” Worse, Lamb of God, Shadows Fall, Trivium, All That Remains, Atreyu, and As I Lay Dying have all moved on. Either settling for a patented sound that has become a trademark or venturing into uncharted territory and damn the consequences. Hanging on the bigger names' coattails for dear life, a few other bands who were initially propelled to some measure of success by the movement haven’t been heard from in a while (i.e., Darkest Hour, Unearth).

Since they’ve got a Kat Latham tickling the ivories during the album’s ambient passages, comparisons to Bleeding Through will inevitably come fast and thick. But keep in mind Society’s Plague remain stuck in the familiar hallmarks of their chosen genre; the growls, cleanly sung choruses, Iron Maiden-meets-Gothenburg guitars, and the occasional pinch of hardcore to showcase how much manhair the guys are growing in their ball sacks. No shit, wait for the craptastic ‘gangstyle backing vocals’ to erupt on one of the songs. Promise, upon hearing them you’ll either grimace or bite your knuckles to stifle that snicker. This writer can’t bring himself to avoid mentioning the Iron Maiden indulgence at “The Few, The Fallen” where glorious dueling guitars burn alongside galloping bass lines until the hoarse vocals ruin everything. Rising from the ashes of such embarrassments, Society’s Plague have enough talent to redeem their uglier moments. Songs like “Lies of the Broken” and “Legions” are pure melodic death metal that owes a debt to the legacy of At The Gates.

Also admirable is the band’s refreshing take on lyrics. There’s a lot going inside the minds of the writers here. “The Human, The Canvass,” “Buried In Flames,” “A Better Take On A Bitter World,” “The Masquerade” and the rather corny farewell gesture “Mourning Sun” bode well for whatever Society’s Plague wish to accomplish in the future.