By: Jamie Steinberg
Q) You’re often described as metal or thrash metal, but how would you describe your sound?
A) We have always tried to not fit within a particular box but are considered one of the pioneers of the DeathCore genre blending fast relentless metal and crushing hardcore breakdowns.
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
A) We grew up on Metalcore and took influence from bands like Bleeding Through, Throwdown, The Black Dahlia Murder and pulled influence from all different bands and genre’s such as Dimmu Borgir, Cradle Of Filth, Hatebreed and Madball.
Q) We’re excited that you have announced some reunion shows with original band members! Where did the idea to reunite and perform live together again come from?
A) To our great surprise, I was presented with the opportunity for the band to play at Louder Than Life and Aftershock. We have been dormant for years and realized 2025 was the twenty year anniversary of when we started the band, so I reached out to the other original members that formed the band together in high school. Without hesitation everyone jumped at the opportunity and after not seeing each other for ten years we centrally met up in Chicago and played all these old songs…That first practice back together was just as much fun as the concerts.
Q) You recently performed at Louder than Life and Aftershock Festival. What can fans expect from a live Winds of Plague performance?
A) Our internal thought process was that people can sit at home and listen to the music so let’s make sure to give them a reason to take the time to see the band live which for us translates to a high energy, aggressive performance that connects fans to the music through a raw and authentic performance.
Q) Which songs do the fans still love to hear live?
A) The hits from our 2008 record Decimate The Weak are still the live fan favorites better known as “That 2008 Shit” with the title track “Decimate The Weak,” “The Impaler” and “Reloaded.”
Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?
A) Yes, we typically start with our songs in midi form and then it evolves into rough recorded tracks at which point we start applying vocal patterns and lyrics.
Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?
A) We have primarily written and recorded all of our own music but over the years have worked and collaborated with great artists and producers such as Noah and Jolly with Bad Omens, Martin from Terror, Matt Hyde and Will Putney.
Q) With a number of reunion shows announced, will there be a full album or EP coming in the future?
A) Our current look into the future is short sighted. We wanted to get the original guys back playing music together for these two massive festival shows and to see how everyone felt. With those two shows behind us everyone is really inspired with the idea of making new music and playing more shows. Nothing set in stone but feeling optimistic that this could be a new beginning for the original lineup.
Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?
A) Anywhere really – I have always greatly appreciated the fact that we could play a show anywhere in the world and there would be people that would show up and know the words to our songs. That sort of immediate connection despite any sort of cultural differences or language barriers has always been incredible to me and I feel fortunate to be able to share that every chance we are on stage.
Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?
A) Across all genres I gravitate towards authentic, raw music which spans the spectrum of Kublai Kahn, Spite, Zach Bryan and the Wu-Tang Clan.
Q) What advice would you give to up and coming bands that you wish you had when you first started as a band?
A) Take nothing for granted, enjoy the process. I have a very tenacious personality and am always looking to what is next and how to be better, but I’m learning to slow down and truly live in the moment, something I wish I would have learned twenty years ago.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) Just thank you. The past twenty years have been quite the journey fueled by the support of those who have come out to shows, bought a shirt, listened to the music and we feel greatly indebted to all of you. We are looking forward to seeing what the future has in store.
All Questions Answered By Jon Cooke