Plague

Album: III (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This apocalyptic liturgy was the first track to be released from Canadian duo Crystal Castle's third album, which was named simply III. It was the first record by the pair to be produced entirely by the band's Ethan Kath. While recording in Warsaw, Poland, Kath adopted a "strictly no computers" rule in the studio, scrapping their old keyboards and synths and instead recording everything directly to a '50s tape machine. "We wanted the new album to sound like a completely different and new experience," he said, "We'd limit ourselves to one take on each song because we believe the first take is the rawest expression of an idea."
  • Speaking to NME about III, vocalist Alice Glass said: "There's lots of themes, but feeling, like, oppressed… A lot of things not personally happening to us, since the past record, but people we know, kind of profoundly influenced everything. Like, I didn't think I could lose faith in humanity any more than I already had, but after witnessing some things, it just… the world is a dystopia. I'm one step away from being a vigilante. I've thought about it."
  • The album cover features an award-winning picture by Spanish photojournalist Samuel Arand. The picture depicts a veiled woman named Fatima al-Qaws cradling her son Zayed who is suffering from the effects of tear gas after participating in a demonstration in Sanaa, Yemen. The image won World Press Photo Of The Year in 2011.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Dave Mason

Dave MasonSongwriter Interviews

Dave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic.

Peter Lord

Peter LordSongwriter Interviews

You may not recognize his name, but you will certainly recognize Peter Lord's songs. He wrote the bevy of hits from Paula Abdul's second album, Spellbound.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Bill Withers

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.