Winds of Plague is an American

deathcore Deathcore is an extreme metal subgenre that combines death metal with metalcore. The genre consists of death metal guitar riffs, blast beats, and metalcore breakdowns. While there are some precursors to the concept of death metal fused with met ...

band from

Upland, California Upland is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States on the border with neighboring Los Angeles County. The municipality is located at an elevation of 1,242 feet (379 m). As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 79,040 ...

. Formed in 2002, the band is known for being one of the few

bands to incorporate

symphonic A symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, most often for orchestra. Although the term has had many meanings from its origins in the ancient Greek era, by the late 18th century the word had taken on the meaning com ...

elements into their music. The band's name is derived from a section of lyrics in the

Unearth Unearth is an American metalcore band from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in 1998, the group has released seven studio albums. History Early career (1998–2002) Unearth was formed by Trevor Phipps, Buz McGrath, Ken Susi, Mike Rudberg, a ...

song "

Endless Endless or The Endless may refer to: Business * Endless (private equity), a British firm * Endless.com, an e-commerce website selling shoes and accessories * Endless Computers, an American operating system company Film * ''The Endless'' (film ...

": "Growing wings of sorrow/have brought you to the winds of plague."

History

Formation, name change, and early releases (2002–2005)

Winds of Plague was founded in 2002 in

. During the time of the band's inception, its name was originally Bleak December. However, they changed their name in April 2005, to Winds of Plague, being named after a lyric from the

song, "Endless". They released their demo ''A Cold Day in Hell'' in late 2005 independently. Several of the songs would subsequently be re-recorded for the following album.

''Decimate the Weak'' (2006–2009)

'' Decimate the Weak'', the band's first album for

Century Media Records Century Media Records is a heavy metal record label with offices in the United States, Germany and London. In August 2015, Century Media was acquired by Sony Music for US$17 million. Background Century Media was founded by Robert Kampf and Oli ...

, was released in 2008. The album included several re-recorded tracks from ''A Cold Day In Hell''.

''The Great Stone War'' and line-up changes (2009–2011)

'' The Great Stone War'' was released on August 11, 2009. The album features two singles, "Approach the Podium" and "Chest and Horns", though no music videos were ever shot for any songs on the album. On October 14, 2009, keyboardist Kristen Randall stated that she would be leaving the band and did so days afterward. The band approached musician

Lisa Marx Lisa Marx (born August 21, 1981) is an American guitarist and classically trained pianist from California. Career Music In 2002, Marx joined the Seattle hardcore band To See You Broken as guitarist. This underground group was an all-female e ...

to fill in on keyboard for their Australian/New Zealand tour. Afterwards the band found Alana Potocnik who has since been inducted as Winds of Plague's keyboardist.

''Against the World'' (2011–2013)

'' Against the World'' was released in 2011 to widespread critical acclaim. "Refined in the Fire" and "California" have been released as singles, and music videos for "Drop the Match", "California" and "Refined in the Fire" have also been released. The band also appeared on the soundtrack for the game '' Homefront'' performing a cover of the

Buffalo Springfield Buffalo Springfield was a rock band formed in Los Angeles by Canadian musicians Neil Young, Bruce Palmer and Dewey Martin and American musicians Stephen Stills and Richie Furay. The group, widely known for the song "For What It's Worth", rele ...

song "

For What It's Worth "For What It's Worth (Stop, Hey What's That Sound)" (often referred to as simply "For What It's Worth") is a song written by Stephen Stills. Performed by Buffalo Springfield, it was recorded on December 5, 1966, released as a single on Atco Reco ...

". A cover of "

Zombie A zombie (Haitian French: , ht, zonbi) is a mythological undead corporeal revenant created through the reanimation of a corpse. Zombies are most commonly found in horror and fantasy genre works. The term comes from Haitian folklore, in whic ...

" by

The Cranberries The Cranberries were an Irish rock band formed in Limerick, Ireland. Originally named the Cranberry Saw Us, the band were formed in 1989 by lead singer Niall Quinn, guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan and drummer Fergal Lawler. Quinn was ...

was included in an

iTunes iTunes () is a software program that acts as a media player, media library, mobile device management utility, and the client app for the iTunes Store. Developed by Apple Inc., it is used to purchase, play, download, and organize digital mul ...

extended play for "California", but the EP was later removed from the iTunes store for unknown reasons.

''Resistance'' (2013–2016)

Winds of Plague's fourth studio album, '' Resistance'', was recorded in early to mid-2013 and was released on October 29, 2013. In December 2015, while playing the Affliction Metal Show at The Observatory in Santa Ana with

Suicide Silence Suicide Silence is an American deathcore band from Riverside, California. The band was established in 2002, and has released six studio albums, three EPs, and nineteen music videos. They were awarded the ''Revolver'' Golden God award for "Best ...

, vocalist Johnny Plague announced that after going through a brief hiatus, Winds of Plague would resume touring and working on a new album in 2016.

''Blood of My Enemy'' (2017–present)

Winds of Plague's fifth studio album, ''

Blood of My Enemy ''Blood of My Enemy'' is the fifth studio album by American deathcore band Winds of Plague. The album was released on October 27, 2017 through Entertainment One Music and Good Fight Entertainment. It is the band's first album not to be released t ...

'', was recorded from 2016 to 2017 and was released on October 27, 2017.

Tours

The band has toured with

Despised Icon Despised Icon is a Canadian deathcore band from Montreal, Quebec. Formed in 2002, the band is noted for the talent of its drummer, Alex Pelletier, who makes frequent use of the blasting technique, as well as for its dual lead vocalists; Alex E ...

Parkway Drive Parkway Drive is an Australian metalcore band from Byron Bay, New South Wales, formed in 2003. As of 2018, Parkway Drive have released six studio albums, one EP, two DVDs, a split album and one book, titled ''Ten Years of Parkway Drive''. The ...

Impending Doom Impending Doom is an American Christian deathcore band from Riverside, California. The group has released six full-length studio albums and are currently a five piece with lead vocalist Brook Reeves as one of the two original remaining member ...

, Danzig,

Dimmu Borgir Dimmu Borgir () is a Norwegian symphonic black metal band from Jessheim, formed in 1993. The name is derived from Dimmuborgir, a volcanic formation in Iceland, the name of which means "dark cities" or "dark castles/fortresses" in Icelandic, ...

Veil of Maya Veil of Maya is an American metalcore band, formed in Chicago, Illinois, by members Marc Okubo and Sam Applebaum in 2004. They are currently signed to Sumerian Records and have released six studio albums. Their first four albums are considered ...

, With Dead Hands Rising, and

As Blood Runs Black As Blood Runs Black is an American metalcore/deathcore band from Los Angeles, California. They have released three albums. Their first album, ''Allegiance'', was released on June 6, 2006. Their second album, ''Instinct'', was released on March 15 ...

. They also played at the

New England Metal and Hardcore Festival The New England Metal and Hardcore Festival was an annual festival held in Worcester, Massachusetts, United States. It was a weekend-long concert of heavy metal and hardcore punk bands along with a merchandising and promotional area for record l ...

, toured the US on the "Blackest of the Black" tour and finished a 2010 Japan tour with Parkway Drive, 50 Lions, Despised Icon, The Warriors, and Terror. They were featured on The Atticus Metal Tour with

Emmure Emmure () is an American metalcore band formed in 2003. Originally based in New Fairfield, Connecticut, before moving to Queens, New York, the group has released eight albums, with their first public release being a 2006 EP entitled '' The Comp ...

All Shall Perish All Shall Perish was an American deathcore band from Oakland, California, formed in 2002. The band was signed to Nuclear Blast and have released four full-length albums through the label. Their final album, '' This Is Where It Ends,'' was releas ...

, Abacabb, Terror, and The Ghost Inside. In the summer of 2009 was in the

Summer Slaughter The Summer Slaughter Tour is an annual heavy metal music tour held every year since 2007. It originated in North America in 2007 and has toured in Canada in 2008, Europe in 2008, and Australia and New Zealand in 2009. Billed as "The Most Extreme ...

tour with

Necrophagist Necrophagist was a German technical death metal band founded and fronted by guitarist and vocalist Muhammed Suiçmez. The band used baroque music-influenced compositions paired with extreme metal drumming. The name originates from the Greek ro ...

Suffocation Asphyxia or asphyxiation is a condition of deficient supply of oxygen to the body which arises from abnormal breathing. Asphyxia causes generalized hypoxia, which affects primarily the tissues and organs. There are many circumstances that can i ...

, Darkest Hour and others. After the Summer Slaughter tour, they joined

Hatebreed Hatebreed is an American hardcore band from Bridgeport, Connecticut, formed in 1994. The band released its debut album '' Satisfaction is the Death of Desire'' in 1997, which gave the band a cult following. The band signed to Universal Records ...

Chimaira Chimaira () is an American heavy metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in August 1998, the group was a member of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal scene. The band's name is derived from the word Chimera, a monstrous creature in Greek myth ...

Dying Fetus Dying Fetus is an American death metal band originally from Greater Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Formed in 1991, the group is known for their consistently hook-laden song structures, characterized by blast beats, complex riffing, slam riffs and ...

, and

Toxic Holocaust Toxic Holocaust is an American thrash metal band from Portland, Oregon. History Joel Grind founded Toxic Holocaust in 1999. He originally wrote and recorded all of the band's music himself, and after a couple of demo releases (''Radiation Sick ...

on the Decimation of the Nation tour. On January 20, 2010, it was announced that Winds of Plague would be playing on the Jägermeister Stage at the 2010 Rockstar Mayhem Festival in July and August. During April 2010, Winds of Plague toured with

, The Warriors,

, and

50 Lions 50 Lions are an Australian hardcore punk, hardcore band from Byron Bay, New South Wales. The band is named after a video poker machine of the same name. History In 2005, they released their self-titled 7-inch EP, which sold out within 3 months ...

for Parkway Drive's UK and Europe Tour. During February 2011, Winds of Plague toured in the US with

After the Burial After the Burial is an American progressive metal band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. They are currently signed to Sumerian Records and have released five of their six full-length albums through the label. Since their inception in 2004, the band h ...

and headliners

As I Lay Dying ''As I Lay Dying'' is a 1930 Southern Gothic novel by American author William Faulkner. Faulkner's fifth novel, it is consistently ranked among the best novels of 20th-century literature.The New Lifetime Reading Plan: The Classical Guide to Wor ...

. They played several songs from their then upcoming new album. They played the entire

Warped Tour 2011 The Vans Warped Tour The Warped Tour was a traveling rock tour that toured the United States plus three or four stops in Canada annually each summer from 1995 until 2019. It was the largest traveling music festival in the United States and the l ...

on the Advent Clothing stage along with

The Acacia Strain The Acacia Strain is an American metalcore band originally from Chicopee, Massachusetts. They are currently signed to Rise Records. The band has released ten full-length albums. History Forming in 2001, The Acacia Strain was started by h ...

, Set Your Goals,

We Came As Romans We Came as Romans (sometimes abbreviated as WCAR) is an American metalcore band from Troy, Michigan. Formed in 2005, the band has gone through one name change and multiple line-up changes, and signed to SharpTone Records in 2016 after having b ...

and others. They will also be headlining the 2011 "Thrash and Burn" tour with

Chelsea Grin Chelsea Grin is an American deathcore band from Salt Lake City, Utah. Formed in 2007, the group have released two EPs and five full-length albums. Since 2018, no original members remain in the band. Chelsea Grin was originally founded under ...

, As Blood Runs Black, and numerous others. They replaced

during

Caliban Caliban ( ), son of the witch Sycorax, is an important character in William Shakespeare's play '' The Tempest''. His character is one of the few Shakespearean figures to take on a life of its own "outside" Shakespeare's own work: as Russell H ...

's "Get Infected" Tour 2012 with support of

We Butter the Bread with Butter We Butter the Bread with Butter (also known as WBTBWB) is a German deathcore band noted for their heavy use of electronic music characteristics. The group was founded in 2007 by guitarist Marcel Neumann and vocalist Tobias Schultka, was signed to ...

Eyes Set To Kill Eyes Set to Kill is an American post-hardcore band from Tempe, Arizona. The Rodriguez sisters, lead guitarist Alexia and bassist Anissa, along with vocalist Lindsey Vogt started the band in 2003. Lindsey Vogt departed the band in mid-2007 due to ...

and

Attila Attila (, ; ), frequently called Attila the Hun, was the ruler of the Huns The Huns were a nomadic people who lived in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Eastern Europe between the 4th and 6th century AD. According to European traditio ...

which started off on February 2 in Karlsruhe, Germany. For their 2014 tour supporting

Bleeding Through Bleeding Through is an American metalcore band from Orange County, California, formed in 1999. In 2004, ''Revolver'' magazine hailed Bleeding Through as one of eight bands ushering in the "Future of Metal" cover story, and '' Spin'' called Ble ...

, with

Scars of Tomorrow Scars of Tomorrow is an American metalcore band from Orange County, California. History Scars of Tomorrow released its first material on Thorp Records, issuing two albums before signing to Victory Records in May 2003.Scars of Tomorrowat Allmusi ...

and Lionheart, Johnny Plague was unable to perform due to undisclosed circumstances. Rather than leave the tour, the band opted to have Mike Milford (of

) fill in on vocals. The band did a tour in February 2017 with DevilDriver, Death Angel, the Agonist, and Azrael. Just recently, the band also did a tour on the first ever Chaos & Carnage tour supporting Carnifex. Oceano, Archspire, Spite, Buried Above Ground, Shadow of Intent and Widowmaker were also on the tour.

Members

Current members * Jonathan "Johnny Plague" Cooke-Hayden – unclean vocals ; bass * Michael Montoya – lead guitar * Justin Bock – rhythm guitar ; bass * Adrienne Cowan –

keyboards Keyboard may refer to: Text input * Keyboard, part of a typewriter * Computer keyboard ** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping ** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware Music * Musi ...

, clean vocals * Shane Slade – bass * Josh Johnson – drums, percussion Former members * Josh Blackburn – guitars, bass * Raffi – drums * Brandon Pitcher – keyboards * Paul Salem – bass, keyboards * Corey Fine – percussion ; drums ; keyboards * Kevin Grant – bass * Chris Cooke – keyboards * Matt Feinman – keyboards * Jeff Tenney – drums, percussion * Kristen Randall – keyboards, clean vocals * Lisa Marx – keyboards * Nick Eash – lead guitar ; rhythm guitar, bass ; keyboards * Nick Piunno – rhythm guitar ; lead guitar, bass ; keyboards * Andrew Glover – bass * Brandon Galindo – drums, percussion * Tyler Riley – guitars *

Davey Oberlin Davey Oberlin is an American musician. He is best known as the onstage Keyboard player, keyboardist for the nu metal band Korn. Oberlin is also known for his work in symphonic deathcore group Winds of Plague. Background At sixteen, Oberlin drew ...

– rhythm guitar * Chris Silva – bass * Alana Potocnik – keyboards *

Art Cruz Arthur Cruz (born May 27, 1988) is an American musician, best known as the drummer of heavy metal band Lamb of God. He is the former drummer of Winds of Plague, Prong and Klogr. Early life Cruz was born May 27, 1988, in Downey, California. H ...

– drums, percussion Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

;Demos ;Other releases ;Music videos *(2008) "The Impaler" (from the album ''Decimate the Weak'') *(2011) "Drop the Match" (from the album ''Against the World'') *(2011) "California" (from the album ''Against the World'') *(2013) "Open the Gates of Hell" (from the album ''Resistance'') *(2013) "Say Hello to the Undertaker" (from the album ''Resistance'') *(2017) "Never Alone" (from the album ''Blood of My Enemy'')

References

External links

* * {{Authority control Death metal musical groups from California American deathcore musical groups American symphonic metal musical groups Metalcore musical groups from California Musical groups established in 2002 Century Media Records artists 2002 establishments in California