Surviving The Current World: An Interview With NYC’s Plague Master

By Staff | January 1, 2026

Formed in early 2024, the NYC-based extreme metal outfit Plague Master rejects narrow subgenre labels in favor of a "no influence" philosophy, resulting in a Frankenstein's monster of death metal, grindcore, and hardcore. Born from the social and political volatility of the COVID-19 era, the band utilizes a cynical, anarchist lens to critique government failures, class struggles, and the destructive nature of humanity. Their sonic identity is a collaborative grit, blending HM-2 powered Swedish death metal guitar tones with technical, crust-influenced bass, progressive drum fills, and raw, high-energy vocals. Known for their chaotic and inclusive live performances, the group aims to create an environment where the "working class" can vent their frustrations through high-intensity moshing, all while maintaining a confrontational stance against systemic inequality.

We had a chance to catch up with them for our first interview of 2026.

Your guiding principle is "no influence." In a scene built on legacy and genre history, how do you define "no influence," and how does that manifest musically and lyrically without rejecting the past entirely?

Adam (guitar): To us, “no influence” means we cannot point to a small handful of influential artists and say “hey these are our only influences.” Every death metal band is directly influenced by the big 90’s names from Florida. Every thrash band is a direct result of the “big 4.” We don’t want to be a band that can fit only into one subgenre. We just want to make extreme music. Every song we do is kind of a Frankenstein's monster mash up of elements from all corners of extreme music crafted into our own image. All of us being from slightly different music backgrounds cements this even further.

Your music tackles social-political awareness, human rights, and government failures. For the uninitiated, what is the core message of Plague Master that you want listeners to take away, even if they disagree with your political stance?

Adam: Well if it wasn’t evident enough from our name, the foundation of Plague Master was created during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. As we all know a lot was happening then, lots of socio-political turmoil and uncertainty. The “wool” so to say was pulled away from our eyes and we saw in real time how our government and society are really hanging together by threads. A new, much more benevolent world is possible. But for now we must survive the current world.

The band's concept is "the Plague that is the human race." Is this a statement of cynicism, despair, or is there a flicker of hope or call to action hidden within that bleak view?

Adam: Most definitely a statement of cynicism. Plagues usually only exist within organic life, at most capable of annihilating a singular species. We (humanity) happen to be exceptions. Our influence on this world holds no bounds. But there always is a little hope, right? Maybe one day we’ll focus on preserving rather than destroying.

Your latest EP is titled "Frozen Tomb Innihilation." Can you dissect one specific track from the EP and explain how it channels the "abrasive, cold and anarchist attitudes of the working class struggles against the rich elite"?

Adam: Definitely the opening track, Consume Produce Expire. It’s a simple message heavily inspired by the classic (and still VERY relevant) film They Live. We exist only to work until we’re dead while continuously devouring products over the course of our existence. All to just line the pockets of some leech above you. We are just cogs in a cold, lifeless machine.

Coming from different metal scenes, what specific element does each member—Adam's sharp and shrill guitar, Ryan's gritty bass, Carlos's progressive undertones, and Vicky's aggressive midrange vocals—contribute to Plague Master's unique sonic blend?

Adam: My guitar playing conjures a chaotic blend of death metal and grindcore riffing while borrowing heavily from metallic forms of hardcore. The result is a midrange onslaught that can please both headbangers and hardcore fans.

Ryan (bass): I combine the technical attack of brutal death metal and grindcore in my technique, but also borrow a lot from Crust and Hardcore tone wise, like somewhere in that middle ground. I end up with a sharp and cutting sound that makes you feel like you need a shower afterwards. Imagine the grit of Nausea, Napalm Death and Skitsystem combined with the attack of Rotten Sound, Brutal Truth and Suffocation.

I’ve always had trouble finding my tone when it came to making the type of music that influences me, mainly death metal and black metal. I found after blending these two vocal styles together (say if Bloodbath and Satryicon made a baby), that going fucking rabid just was the fitting piece with what everyone else is bringing to the table. I know we all have a love of Napalm Death so we can all trail off on our own styles but we always come back to that happy medium.

Adam, what is the secret to achieving those distinctively "sharp and shrill" guitar tones? Are you chasing a specific feeling or sound that contrasts with the rhythmic intensity?

Adam: I really like the Swedish death metal bands of the early 90's such as Dismember, Entombed, Grave, etc. Specifically the very distinct tone that scene had. The "shrill" tone of those bands is made from the infamous HM-2 pedal. I decided to take that tone as my base and eq it slightly differently to add in a little low end and fullness to the overall guitar sound while still maintaining the high-mid sharpness that the HM-2 provides. The result is an almost "low-fi" gritty guitar tone to complement the EP theme of being frozen.

Carlos, coming from the progressive side, how do you balance your progressive undertones with the raw, high-energy aggression that defines the band? How much improvisation is there in your drumming?

Carlos (drums): I'm heavily influenced by bands like Opeth and Bloodbath, which incorporate a fluid, almost jazzy style into their music. I focus on the feel while trying to ebb and flow through Adam's chaotic song structures. The key for me is just letting loose as much as possible and having fun. So, while generally, the parts are the same, I let loose and have fun with the drum fills. I can't expect the crowd to get into it if I don't, so I leave it all on the stage.

You formed in February 2024 and immediately began playing with major acts like Crypta, Nervosa, and Vitriol. How has this rapid exposure affected your songwriting process and your approach to the industry?

Ryan: While the material from our EP and even our demo has served as our foundation, the frequent gigs we've played have absolutely motivated us to create new material so we can stay fresh but also evolve and grow. Without giving anything away, let's just say 2026 will be busy. Our upcoming gig with Castrator and Desolus on 12/17 in Brooklyn will have some surprises so keep your eyes peeled and ears open.

Plague Master is known for intense live shows where "everyone fights, everyone feels important." How do you intentionally cultivate this level of intense, chaotic engagement with the crowd?

Adam: We try to make music anyone can mosh to. And we want to see it all. Circle pits, hxc, push, slam, stage dive, do whatever you want as long as everyone’s vibing. We love both metal and hardcore and this is our love letter to those genres.

Vicky, your high-strung stage presence—including the threat of a backflip—is central to the band's identity. What drives that intensity, and what does it feel like to stand in the eye of that storm during a performance?

Vicky (vocals): Honestly I just channel who I am every day and let it all out on the stage. I’ve always been that high energy ADHD gymnast growing up as a performer and think it’s where I feel the most comfortable. It’s where I feel free to do what I want and make the crowd feel the same. Metal is the environment where you should feel an escape from the shit world and have people around you that carry your own intentions and interests. We’re all brothers and sisters here, and I want people to channel the wild side in them whether they’re an introvert/extrovert/whateververt. Go crazy and be yourself, who cares?

You are actively trying to "fuck all musicians." When you're sharing a stage with touring acts, how do you maintain this "fuck all" energy while still operating professionally within the metal community?

Vicky: Maybe if they take us out to dinner first, lol. Nah there should be a comma there “fuck all, musicians.” It’s not coming from an attitude, we mean it in a way where we don’t really know how to classify ourselves in a genre or style of metal, since we are all so different. For example, the older tracks are definitely more grind, but the newer things we are writing are more longer and death metal style and some hints of hardcore here and there. Like fuck all, man. What even are we?

Given your highly political and confrontational nature, have you ever encountered resistance or challenges from venues, promoters, or even other bands due to your message or stage actions?

Vicky: Nope! Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs, but everyone we have worked with so far has definitely been accepting and open to what we stand for. I mean come on, we want equality and to break free from unjust systems. If someone is against that shit then I personally don’t want to work with them and I think the band agrees.

What's next after the success of "Frozen Tomb Innihilation"? Do you plan to expand on the current sound, or are you looking to detonate the current formula and start an even bigger plague?

Adam: Plague Master is ever changing. You will just have to come on this journey with us to see how.

What are the key differences between the metal scenes you came from and the current energy of the NYC metal scene you are currently dominating?

Adam: The underground scenes here are still alive and doing strong, but after the peak of the pandemic there certainly isn’t the same amount of underground touring bands coming through. Times are tough, NY isn’t exactly the cheapest place, it makes sense. So instead of relying on touring bands a lot of the local bands here have been really grinding to create a strong NY scene. And we hope it keeps growing.

If you could leave one final, abrasive thought with a new listener who is just discovering Plague Master, what would that statement be?

The band: If you aren’t with me, then you’re my enemy (Anakin Skywalker)