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Winds of Plague

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Band Timeline

2002

Formation and Early Years

Winds of Plague was formed in 2002 in Upland, California originally under the name Bleak December. The band emerged as a deathcore group and became known for being one of the first to integrate symphonic elements in their music. This fusion of deathcore and symphonic elements helped set them apart in the heavy metal scene.
2005

Name Change and Independent Demo Release

In April 2005, the band changed their name from Bleak December to Winds of Plague, inspired by a lyric from the song "Endless" by Unearth. Later that year, they independently released a demo titled A Cold Day in Hell. This demo contained many songs which would later be re-recorded for their debut full-length album.
2008

Debut Album Release - Decimate the Weak

Winds of Plague released their debut studio album, Decimate the Weak, in 2008 under Century Media Records. The album included several tracks reworked from their earlier demo. This debut helped to establish their reputation and brought them to broader attention within the metal community, showcasing their aggressive sound mixed with symphonic elements.
2009

The Great Stone War and Keyboardist Change

On August 11, 2009, they released their second album The Great Stone War, featuring singles such as "Approach the Podium" and "Chest and Horns." However, no music videos were released for these tracks. Shortly after, in October, keyboardist Kristen Randall left the band. She was temporarily replaced by Lisa Marx for a tour in Australia and New Zealand, and then permanently by Alana Potocnik, marking a notable lineup change.
2011

Against the World Album and Increased Recognition

The band's third studio album, Against the World, came out in 2011 and received widespread critical acclaim. It included singles "Refined in the Fire" and "California," supported by music videos for three songs. They also contributed a cover of "For What It's Worth" to the Homefront video game soundtrack and recorded a cover of "Zombie" by The Cranberries, which was briefly released on iTunes. This period marked a peak in their visibility and creative output.
2013

Resistance Album and Hiatus Announcement

In 2013, Winds of Plague released their fourth studio album, Resistance, after recording it earlier that year. The album continued to build on their established deathcore and symphonic sound. In December 2015, vocalist Johnny Plague announced a brief hiatus, though he also revealed plans for the band to resume touring and producing new material in 2016, signaling ongoing commitment despite challenges.
2017

Blood of My Enemy Album Release

The band's fifth studio album, Blood of My Enemy, was recorded between 2016 and 2017 and released on October 27, 2017. This album continued to demonstrate their blend of intense deathcore music with symphonic elements, maintaining their distinct niche within the metal genre. This release marked their continued activity and resilience in the metal scene.

Albums

winds-of-plague_1st_album
A Cold Day in Hell
10 tracks
2005
winds-of-plague_2nd_album
Decimate the Weak
10 tracks
2008
winds-of-plague_3rd_album
The Great Stone War
11 tracks
2009
winds-of-plague_4th_album
Against the World
12 tracks
2011
winds-of-plague_5th_album
Resistance
10 tracks
2013
winds-of-plague_6th_album
Blood of My Enemy
12 tracks
2017
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Johnny Plague

2005

Lead vocals

Adrienne Cowan

2017

Keyboard

Shane Slade

2018

Bass guitar

Davey Oberlin

N/A

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Lisa Marx

2009
2009

Keyboard

Additional

Alana Potocnik

2009
2017

Keyboard

Art Cruz

2015
2021

Drums (drum set)

Art Cruz

2008
2012

Drums (drum set)

Story of Winds of Plague

Winds of Plague, the pioneering deathcore band from Upland, California, burst onto the scene in 2002, initially under the name Bleak December. Their unique blend of brutal deathcore and symphonic elements quickly set them apart, establishing them as early innovators in the genre. The bands name, adopted in April 2005, is a direct quote from Unearths "Endless": "Growing wings of sorrow/have brought you to the winds of plague."

Their independent 2005 demo, A Cold Day in Hell, showcased their raw talent and foreshadowed their future success. Several tracks from this demo would later find their way onto their debut full-length.

In 2008, Winds of Plague signed with Century Media Records and unleashed Decimate the Weak, featuring re-recorded material from A Cold Day in Hell alongside new, devastating tracks. This solidified their position in the deathcore scene. Following up with The Great Stone War on August 11, 2009, the band continued to evolve their sound amidst lineup changes.

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