When listening to "Decimate The Weak" one could easily be forgiven for mistaking Winds Of Plague of hailing from some desolate Scandinavian shithole - well at least for the initial minute or so. While this Southern Californian bands bio aptly describes this effort as an often darker version of Bleeding Through, Winds Of Plague are a band who like to take things to further extremes.

Thickly layered keyboards accentuate the pugnacious black metal influenced metalcore with symphonic grace as vocals belch and gurgle with wretched malevolence. However, the band seem intent on continually derailing themselves by brashly interrupting the atmosphere they meticulously build with an 808 hit and an uncharacteristically groan-inducing tough guy hardcore lyric. On the other hand, when the band can keep their focus; their determination and ability to instrumentally compliment each other and work towards a larger goal is rather impressive.

The thing is, even though they are entirely competent players and show off some rather fine chops, their sound is too easily defined by its influences. All one has to say to describe the band is Bleeding Through meets Dimmu Borgir and this albums entire game plan is laid bare. Sure there's a certain novelty of hearing gang shouts over some brooding Euro metal, but there's also a distinct train wreck characteristic to it as well.