Band:	Hot Graves
Album:	Plaguewielder
Style:	Crust punk, Blackened thrash metal
Release date:	March 2023

01. Flashing Madness Ov Death
02. Infinite Glimmering Chasm
03. Temple Compromised
04. Talk To Me
05. Black Thorn And Blood
06. Baptized In Brimstone
07. View From The Gallows
08. Throne Ov The Morning Star
09. Structural Violence
10. Necrodudial Blasphemer
11. Plaguewielder

Are you familiar with Hot Graves? I wasn't aware of graves being hot either, but the band, it turns out, are pretty good, and Plaguewielder is in no doubt their best release yet.

Established back in 2011 were the U.S. blackened thrash act Hot Graves (unusual band title I know), and here they unleash on us their third full-length release (excluding the countless EPs and demos they've dropped over the years), Plaguewielder. It's been eight years since the band's last release, being Magnificent Death, but surely these blackened thrashers haven't lost their touch, have they? Well, for a matter of fact, no, they certainly haven't; in fact, they're back stronger than ever, releasing what is an even more outrageously hard-hitting, ferocious, and exhilarating album than anything they've done prior.

Now, I, for one, find the sub-genre blackened thrash to be right up there with one of the most energetic, and ultimately enjoyable, of all sub-genres, with great acts such as Deströyer 666, Absu, Witchery, Toxic Holocaust, and, of course, the mighty Skeletonwitch entertaining us with their ferociously blackened, blasphemous energy, vulgarity, and aggressive attitude. However, you'll rarely find the band Hot Graves to at least be considered a household name at the level of the acts I mentioned. This is a damn shame really, because this is a band that brings as much blackened charismatic energy to the party as any.

In comparison to most albums within the blackened heavy/speed/thrash category, Plaguewielder is a fair length, being just shy of a hefty 45 minutes. Usually you would associate albums of this particular caliber to be short, with short, bombastic, ferocious paced tracks flowing one into another with no real pause or time for a breather, but that isn't necessarily the case here with Plaguewielder. From the beginning, nothing seems out of the ordinary; the album opens with “Flashing Ov Madness And Death”, which begins immediately in full swing with the ferocity levels reaching maximum overdrive through powerful blasting drum beats, rabid groovy riffing, wailing guitar leads, and vocals alternating between death growls and blackened screams. The opener is actually one of the shorter tracks on the album, and certainly sets the mood for the coming onslaught ahead.

The next track, “Infinite Glimmering Chasm”, begins with a much slower build-up, which is a synth passage setting a haunting atmospheric soundscape in place before a groovy riff melody takes shape, accompanied by a strikingly competent rhythm section; the backing vocals certainly add that classic punk effect too, which makes this song all the more enjoyable and headbangable. You will also notice that there's a hint of blackened death present through some tracks too; this is clear in some of the heavier sections, which may also be accompanied by death growls.

Other highlights include the track “Talk To Me”, with its catchy melodious rhythms and layered background synth work. The six-minute "Necrodudial Blasphemer” is another example where a heavy use of synth work comes into good haunting atmospheric effect. Still, there is one track that I really find stands out above all, and that is the other six-minute-plus track “View From The Gallows”, with its opening Western-styled acoustic passage, slower paced build-ups and more varied rhythm section.

Overall, Plaguewielder is the ideal release for blackened thrash lovers who want something simple and exciting, with all the groovy-ass riffing and blasphemous songwriting you can hope for; throw in a few elements of blackened death and here you have a splendid record for your hands.