Plague of Angels – “What Lies Beneath” | Progressive Rock Central.com

Plague of Angels has released their first singles off their new album. “What Lies Beneath,” is the first single. And there are two versions. The regular metal version and the pipe organ version. I was intrigued with Plague of Angels, because they did profess to use pipe organ in their music. Which they do. Included in the single distribution I was provided were the additional songs, “Nazarene” and “Beyond Salvation.”

Plague of Angels are an “Anglo-French heavy-symphonic-metal band that merge a wide range of styles and influences. From dark ambient electronica through to Arabic music, and classic rock through to extreme metal, Lyrically, Plague of Angels re-contextualizes traditional tales and ancient-world stories, providing them with modern-day relevance, along the way considering the darker aspects of human existence, as well as themes of personal transformation.”

The band is made up of members: Anabelle Iratni, on lead vocals and keyboards; Mark Mynett, on guitars, and production; Jeff Singer, on drums; Simon Robertshaw, on bass; Rich Shaw and Oz Wright, on guitars.

The single and lyric video were both released on Friday, May 3rd. Plague of Angels were the first metal band to perform at BBC’s “The One Show.”

“Beyond Salvation,” is a good example of a modern heavy metal classic. Nothing spectacular, but just straight-ahead power guitars from three players, bass, and heavy drums. Similar sounds that everyone else on the dark side of metal is doing.

“Lazarene,” was an absolute waste of time for me. Loud growling lyrics that I could not understand. This is one of those cases where, as a reviewer, you are happy the band did not send the lyrics with the MP3s. I had no interest in what he was singing. I could not understand a word and wanted to move on to the next song immediately.

“What Lies Beneath,” is a good example of what the band could be and do, if they could shed the growling. It is a much more direct metal song that is full of three guitars worth of ripping chords, bass and power drums. If there were keyboards, they were very hard to hear beyond the shining gleaming metal electric.

The thing that attracted me to the band in the first place was that they included pipe organ, in their music production. I was hoping that maybe that was each song, but instead found out they made a pipe organ version of their new single, “What Lies Beneath”, only. Although the pipe organ does figure more prominently on this version of the song, it was not enough to change my mind about the overall quality of the music.

Although Plague of Angels has a mountain of talent and potential, I am jumping off this train, now! I fulfilled my commitment to review this single package, and I am done. If you like dark, growling voices and a limited storyline, mixed with some great drums, three loaded guitars, and bass, then, Plague of Angels may be your cup of tea. It is not for me. I am going back to my coffee. Thank you, Plague of Angels for sending me your single. I am glad I had the opportunity to preview your music. You never know about something unless you give it a try.