PLAGUE Portraits Of Mind

Portraits of Mind marks a confident and compelling debut from Greek death‑metal outfit Plague, and it’s one that should immediately pique the interest of anyone drawn to the genre’s old‑school roots. The band leans deliberately toward an early‑nineties aesthetic, raw, organic, and unvarnished. The production captures that spirit well enough, though a touch more clarity and low‑end definition wouldn’t have hurt; the kick drums in particular come across a bit boxy.

What ultimately elevates the album, however, is the strength of the songwriting and the conviction behind the performances. Plague operate firmly within traditional death‑metal territory but inject a subtle technical edge, clearly taking cues from early Death without ever slipping into imitation. The bulk of the material sits in a mid‑tempo, riff‑driven zone enriched by tasteful harmonies and well‑crafted leads, though the band isn’t afraid to shift gears, there are bursts of higher intensity as well as slower, almost doomy passages that broaden the album’s atmosphere.

Despite the production’s limitations, Portraits of Mind proves to be an engaging and thoroughly enjoyable listen. The quality of the compositions and the band’s execution shine through at every turn, making this a debut well worth exploring for fans of classic, unpretentious death metal.

Discography;

Portraitsof mind (2020)