This Halloween, groundbreaking dark alt-metal visionaries Plague of Angels returned with their most ambitious and emotionally charged single to date, ‘Black Requiem’. A haunting exploration of mental health and the darkness within the human psyche, the track signals a new chapter in the band’s evolution.
Stream here: https://plagueofangels.bfan.link/plague-of-angels-black-requiem
The band comment: “‘Black Requiem’ captures the sound of internal chaos, the private struggle that no one else can see. The imagery of Emilie performing from within a perspex coffin reflects that sense of being buried by your own mind yet still finding the strength to sing through it. This is the most conceptually ambitious piece we’ve ever created. From Caroline’s haunting piano that opens the track to the blistering guitar solo, every element serves the story of emotional confinement and release. Bringing Emilie Nox into the band has redefined our sound. Her ability to move between ethereal melody and visceral aggression gives ‘Black Requiem’ a rare emotional depth. It’s a song that bleeds honesty. We wanted to create something beautiful within the darkness. ‘Black Requiem’ is about confronting despair, not avoiding it, turning pain into art and noise into meaning.”
‘Black Requiem’ marks the first appearance of new vocalist Emilie Nox, whose dynamic range moves seamlessly from ethereal melody to visceral death growls and new bassist/pianist Caroline Campbell, whose expressive piano work and thunderous bass line low end expand the band’s already immersive sound.
Musically, ‘Black Requiem’ propels Plague of Angels further into their signature fusion of epic grandeur and extreme metal intensity. From fragile piano passages and sweeping strings to an explosive chorus and searing guitar solo, the song embodies the collision of vulnerability and rage, echoing the struggle at the heart of its lyrics.
The accompanying video for ‘Black Requiem’ is a dark, cinematic exploration of isolation and inner turmoil. Directed with stark visual precision, it features vocalist Emilie Nox entombed within a perspex coffin, a visceral metaphor for mental confinement and the will to break free.
Plague of Angels first turned heads with their debut single, ‘What Lies Beneath‘, and becoming the first metal band ever to perform on BBC’s The One Show. Their breathtaking live performance inside a church, complete with pipe organ accompaniment, earned critical acclaim from The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph, whilst solidifying their reputation as pioneers of “Organic Metal,” blending classical grandeur with contemporary heaviness.
Their follow-up singles ‘Beyond Salvation’ and ‘Lazarene‘ deepened that vision, showcasing a remarkable range of musical and emotional dynamics.
Earlier this year, the band made history once again with a sold-out performance at York Minster, one of the UK’s most iconic cathedrals. The monumental show saw their sound rise through the vast gothic arches of the Minster, merging the sacred and the extreme in a spellbinding display of light, sound and emotion. The event drew widespread national media attention, with coverage across BBC Look North, ITV News and BBC Radio 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6, underscoring Plague of Angels’ reputation as one of the most ambitious and visionary forces in contemporary metal.
The concept of Organic Metal was born from guitarist Mark Mynett’s collaboration with Leeds Cathedral organist David Pipe, an experiment that bridged the sacred and the extreme. The project’s success, covered by local, national and international media, laid the foundations for Plague of Angels, a band devoted to exploring beauty, darkness and transcendence in sound.
Photography comes courtesy of award-winning photographer John McMurtrie with a full gallery, including striking live shots from the band’s breathtaking performance at York Minster, available here.
Forthcoming live dates:
Organic Metal: Two Worlds Collide
5th December – Huddersfield Town Hall (supported by doom metal legend Aaron Stainthorpe (HighParasite/ex-My Dying Bride) and Mark Deeks (Arð/Winterfylleth) [Ticket Link]
23rd May 2026 – Hull City Hall [Ticket Link]
Plague of Angels are:
Vocals – Emilie Nox (Gravity)
Guitar – Mark Mynett (Kill II This)
Guitar – Oz Wright (Pythia)
Drums – Jeff Singer (Kill II This, Paradise Lost & My Dying Bride)
Bass / Piano – Caroline Campbell (formerly Cradle of Filth)
Guitar – Richard Shaw (formerly Cradle of Filth) – writing member (non-touring)
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 