[420n7strings]

So I picked up Riders of the Plague this morning and I had to skip my first class just to give it a proper listen on my monitors at home...THIS ALBUM IS AMAZING! I seriously don't know how these guys came up with this stuff...it's like it's 80's without trying to be (a la Trivium (no offense)) fused with contemporary thrash riffs. Everything about this album is just locked into place so tightly it sounds like they've been playing together for decades. That and I really dig the vague, Middle Eastern vibe to it.

Vocals and drumming aside though, this album really blew me away with the guitar work...not to say that the vocals and drumming aren't stellar as well, but the guitar work is just sooooo good and refreshing. Good tone, great rhythm chops, great production and of course amazing leads. These guys' guitar playing has so much flavor and emotion in it...I seriously think their lead player is the next James Murphy...yes, that's a bold claim but his phrasing is so unique and well To my ear, he sounds like one of those guys who never had a single lesson and learned most of his lead techniques by ear/noodling...not in a bad way! His arpeggios and legato licks just at times seem to go against guitar theory but still pull it off...and then some. I can only hope to write leads like that someday.

But the songwriting as a cohesive "product" is probably the more notable feature of this album. I haven't read the lyrics closely yet, but its title would suggest that it's a concept album of some sorts. The songs progress well on a very epic journey of metal - light heavy and everything in between. The songs seem to switch gears at any point where one thing gets a bit "tiring," which is nice...When I want to hear a heavier, balad'esque song one just seems to come up everytime. Most importantly though, this album comes WITH NO CLEAN VOCALS I do like me some clean vocals, but it's nice to see a band stick to their guns as well.

At any rate, this is a great and refreshing listen that sounds like it's just out of 1987 - Tampa (in a good way!). I recommend it to any metal fan...this CD is very trancendental by nature and I'm sure it suits anyone who's into any kind of extreme music.

10/10

[yellowv]

Their guitarist is a member on the Caparison forum. He is a cool guy and a damn good player. He has some awesome Caparisons being an endorsee.

Heres his stable.... FAP, FAP, FAP

[Blood Tempest]

*Fapping to the green + maple neck*




"Riders of the Plague" is indeed amazing. Peter Joseph is the fucking man. No doubt about it. They are the most underrated, overlooked band in metal IMO. I've loved this band since I first listened to "From Your Grave". Just amazing musicians. Aside from all of the member's pure talent, they have a great knack for song writing. It all has direction and is executed flawlessly. I FUCKING LOVE THE ABSENCE!

[budda]

didnt i write a reply to this? :S

anyway, i own the CD, and it kicks ass. that is all.

[420n7strings]

that's 5 grand in cabinets alone!!!!!!!!!!! God that guy really isn't taking his endorsements for granted! He should have more in my opinion. Also, I never even noticed that the Angelus HGS was blue from the caparison pictures...it's actually a very nice and subtle guitar...I'd tap any of those though!

Purple + Maple = awwww *skeet skeet skeet*