PRAISE THE PLAGUE formulate the introduction to the dark, grim soundscape of their third album themselves by saying: “The gate is passed, upon us is a bleak, raging sea. Tidal waves crushing ashore, out of desperation evolves anger and frustration. Time, as a construct, imprisons its architects. “Suffocating In The Current Of Time” takes us from a dark and devouring realm, to staring at the devourer into its cold, dead eyes. Lead by fierce and unforgiving melodies, we are marching into our own decay. Lead by the pounding of drums we indulge ourselves in the cloak of false promises.” The album has six songs.

“Veil of Tyrants” is first. There is a long and ominous build up to the first notes of guitar and vocals, which are weighted and slow moving, and it’s mostly an instrumental. “The Tide” is the first proper song. There is another lengthy build up, but this time, the sound kicks in with a faster and hastier purpose. I love the background as well…there are lead guitar notes, and other atmospheric elements. It takes a tense turn after the half-way mark, before roaring back to completion. “Astray From Light” is shorter and more succinct. The mood is also more somber, with guttural vocals and a few solitary guitar notes that eventually lead to the a breaking of the dam.

“A Serpent’s Tongue” has perhaps the most tension of all songs. The voice utters, “human beings are the only creatures on earth that claim a God, and the only living thing that behaves like it hasn’t got one.” Truer words have never been spoken. “Devourer” has horrid vocal screams and a slower, thicker pace that just broods destruction and evil. One thing that the band does well on the album is transition to different paces as the songs move along. They are almost unnoticeable. “Throne of Decay” closes the album, and the melodic, acoustic build up is quite good. Somber, melancholic tones lead the sing through the half-way point, followed by tones of anger and hatred, and ending with tones of desperation.

Overall, this was an excellent album, and the themes played well with the music.” Time” might be the greatest paradox of all, seeming to be completely useless when considering the world beyond Earth, yet absolutely critical to most human’s daily lives. What the album does for me in sum is make me wonder what else might be out there that I am allowed to question. For now, however, I will continue on like a rat in a maze.