EP Review: Plague 9 - Mr Ass (2019)

Just two years ago Plague 9 were founded in Adelaide, South Australia. And now the band whose biblical name is a reference to darkness has already released their first five-track EP. Plague 9 debut with the name "Mr Ass". Well, let's have a look at that piece of Heavy and Thrash Metal.

Inside the artwork by Dušan Marković Plague 9 have packed around half an hour of power Heavy Metal with a modern approach towards traditional material and a dominant Thrash Metal attitude. The opener 'Stuck in Hell' might ring a bell for those who know the Metal United Down Under Vol 1 compilation from 2017.

Plague 9 play a strong mixture of Heavy and Thrash Metal related to (early) Metallica, Megadeth, Pantera, or 3 Inches of Blood (without the screaming). Still "Mr Ass" is the opposite of a copy or a tribute - Plague 9 play traditional Heavy Metal wrapped up in their own and unique style. This is the modern version of Heavy Metal.

Plague 9 stomp, mosh, and roll thorugh the five songs of their EP with great ease. The second track 'Criminal Justice' slows the energy of "Mr Ass" down by a little, but except for the tedious atmosphere of this track, the EP kicks ass in high tempo.