I can’t be absolutely sure when Ploughshare formed but this Australian group put their first EP Literature Of Piss out in 2017 and thus followed some acclaim for the band’s debut full length In Offal, Salvation. Since then they have gone on to release a further EP and second record in Ingested Burial Ground. I was excited to hear they were still about and based on the debut I was eager to give this new third full length a review. This 2024 album is of course Second Wound and comes through the ever reliable I, Voidhanger Records.
The Fall Of All Creatures cascades in with little thought for its own length, and I appreciate that with long winded tracks. Don’t get me wrong I like Prog and its various elements but total chaos is always appreciated, not that Ploughshare doesn’t play with some atmospheric elements of sorts. What Ploughshare delivers here once again is a wild blend of Black and Death Metal, dashed with hints of the Avant-Garde or even Experimental. The vocals are a twisting labyrinth of harsh styles, remaining fresh throughout. The drums are maniacal and rapid and sit beautifully in the mix. Guitars are wild, frantic, all over the place yet well structured, technical almost but not showy. Essentially the title track follows on, which is a little bit more on the Prog side but still ultimately building into a mass of total mayhem. Full of dissonant guitar portions, further eclectic abrasive vocals and a myriad of Extreme Metal themes.
As we cross through the middle of the album we come to Thorns Pressed Into His Head. A grand display of metallic aggression that at times feels like a sonic wall of sound. It is broken apart though by some striking bass tones which are super clean and remind me a bit of Cynic. The ending of the track with its mind warping ambience is a pure delight also. Onward then to The Mockery Of Demons yet another blistering journey into the realms of underground Extreme Metal. A true exposition of not sticking within one genre, honestly there’s a little something for every fan of underground Metal here. I would attest that it is most rooted within Black and Death Metal but there is so much more that it seems hard or even unfair to label. I could attest that at points it can seem a little too all over the place but then again this is what keeps it so fresh and appealing, especially so as a recorded listen, live might be a different matter. The album finally closes with So Reverend And Dreadful, a wild and winding journey through experimental and weaving landscapes. Melancholic, depressive and heavy are terms that spring to mind for this epic closure, a fitting ending to a crazy ride.
So in reflection I appreciate the direction Ploughshare have taken here, the longer song format works incredibly well with the bands style. In fact I would go so far as to say that this release elevates the band from a mere ‘decent’ band to one to truly watch out and be excited for. Whilst In Offal, Salvation made some impact with me it was something of a passing fancy. Whereas Second Wound is an album I can really see myself revisiting time and time again due to its dynamic performance and genre defying qualities.
(8/10 George Caley)
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