Metalcatto
We’re back with another post where we give some harsh truths to our patrons and supporters. This time, we have an album that’s coming out in 2026, so we’re starting early with the dreadful year ahead. The Promise of Plague hits us with The Earth Above, A Grave Beneath. I must say, that’s a catchy title—there’s rhythm to it—but defining what Metal style the band plays became more enigmatic than the title itself. “This all sounds promising, Catto, why do you keep me waiting in line?” Because you didn’t bribe me to cut ahead, of course. Anyway, let’s get into it.
Earth is deceiving at first. You might think it’s rusty and raw Thrash Metal, but the more time you spend with it, the more melodic elements begin to rise to the surface. Suddenly, riffs that feel strangely familiar fuse with ideas that don’t happen often at all. It becomes a strange and intriguing experience. I was trying to come up with a comparison, and perhaps the band that came the closest to this sound was Quo Vadis—one of the most underrated acts in Death Metal, there, I said it! The thunderous yet direct riffing, the vocals that shift just enough to keep things interesting—these elements make the album far more dynamic than it initially appears. Speaking of vocals, that deserves its own moment.
There are filthy growls here, but also more ethereal, clean, and almost gentle vocal lines scattered throughout Earth. At first, it seems like these shouldn’t work together, but I ended up appreciating the contrast. It gives the album another dimension to explore, instead of becoming just another Death/Thrash head-bashing experience. We get more than enough of those every year. The album has enough variety to keep even the most neurodivergent among us entertained. I seem to be in a good mood today, right? Throwing compliments left and right. Well, that’s about to change—put on your seatbelts.
No, I’m kidding. I’ll be pedagogical, as usual. The biggest challenges on Earth are a) the production and b) certain moments in the writing. On the first point, the mud in the mix can bury some of the album’s sonic potential. If someone told me the album had been recorded decades ago, I’d believe it. On the second point, even though the songwriting improves as the album unfolds, the opening tracks rely on too many “safe” ideas. I’d love to hear the band commit more boldly to its melodic side—it’s what sets them apart from becoming yet another derivative old-school Thrash worship project.
So, if you want something that mixes nostalgia for 2000’s MeloDeath/Thrash Metal with a genuinely interesting approach to songwriting, I think Earth could a refreshing way to start 2026. It’s not particularly long either, so your chances of feeling scammed are low. There are some issues, of course, but that doesn’t mean you can’t roll around in this muddy release for a while. Anyway, if you want to secure a spot so we actually take a look at your work—and avoid being at the mercy of my cursed mailbox—you know exactly what to do.
Label: Independent
Release date: January 10, 2026
Website: https://thepromiseofplague.bandcamp.com/
Country: USA
Score: 3.3/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 