Low-quality recording and production have long been a part of black metal. Many classic albums have a lo-fi production that actually improves the tone of the music. This is not the case, however, for Plagis, whose self-titled demo is full of dark potential but marred by ugly, distracting production.

Plagis is a three-song demo that the one-man-band says they recorded in the last days of December and earliest of January. Home recorded, the band admits in the demo’s description that it was recorded with basic audio editing software. Unfortunately, the quality can be distracting at times — evil black metal riffs are made annoying when they reverberate like they’re trapped in a tin can and the vocals come out entirely too loud, overpowering the instruments. Which is unfortunate, because the ideas Plagis present on their first demo aren’t a bad start at all.

It wouldn’t be honest to say that Plagis is strictly a black metal metal band because they incoporate a variety of sounds across three songs – black, doom and death – but Plagues’ vocals keep the blackened edge throughout.

“Cowards of War” is the best song of the trio; the cold buzzsaw pairs nicely with Plagues’ cries to Satan with throat-shredding screams. The worst moment on the demo is on the final track, “No Salvation.” Thick, dragging guitar and booming riffs are ruined by horrible effects.

Plagis signed to Silentium in Foresta Records with the release of their demo, and said they have acquired higher-quality recording equipment. Time will tell if it holds true, but despite those issues, Plagis show significant potential to craft vicious blackened metal. (Note: the band has since released a single from an upcoming-full length.)