Dive into the dark, futuristic soundscapes of "The Plague". The project, spearheaded by the visionary producer David Adam Monroe, transcends genre boundaries, creating a unique musical experience. On February 28, 2025, through the renowned FiXT label, their most ambitious work, the concept album "The Divided States of Hysteria" will be released. Prepare for a journey into the depths of emotion, where industrial sounds collide with electronics of unsettling depth.
The Plague, the brainchild of producer/engineer David Adam Monroe, has consistently pushed the boundaries of what we consider modern rock music. Monroe's journey began early, with classical training in piano, violin, and clarinet at age four, before discovering his true calling in electric guitar at ten. This diverse musical foundation would later prove instrumental in crafting The Plague's signature sound.
The project's meteoric rise from independent releases to signing with the prestigious FiXT label in 2022 speaks volumes about Monroe's artistic vision. As a seasoned producer who has worked with legendary artists like Glen Matlock of Sex Pistols and multiplatinum engineer Earl Cohen, Monroe brings a wealth of experience to his own musical endeavors.
The new album represents a bold evolution in The Plague's sound, diving deep into themes that resonate with our contemporary existence. Through a masterful blend of synthesizers, guitars, bass, and drums, Monroe creates an intense sonic palette that mirrors the album's exploration of internal and external chaos.
The record's first single, "Ugly on the Inside," showcases this evolution perfectly. What began as a pop-punk demo has been transformed into what Monroe calls "modern dungeon pop-punk," creating one of The Plague's most haunting and influential songs to date. The track delves into the destructive nature of narcissism, self-reflection, and humanity's betrayal of faith, themes that run throughout the album.
"I wrote this song about a narcissist I knew," Monroe explains, "but as I worked on it, I realized I was seeing similar aspects in myself. The song evolved from pointing fingers at others to pointing at myself, and ultimately became about the world's betrayal of God. The demo was very pop-punk, and I wanted to perfect it. Looking at the lyrics, I thought, 'I want this song to be modern dungeon pop-punk!' After the rework, the song became much more terrifying and might be one of my favorite Plague songs."
FiXT, the artist-owned label founded in 2006 by Celldweller's Klayton and James Rhodes, has proven to be the perfect home for The Plague's ambitious vision. The label's roster of innovative artists and its track record of over 4 billion online streams speaks to its ability to nurture boundary-pushing talent.
The Plague's journey to FiXT is a testament to artistic perseverance. After independently releasing "Hope for the FUTURE" in 2017, Monroe's remix of Circle of Dust's "Embracing Entropy" (featuring Celldweller) in 2018 caught the label's attention. This led to a formal signing in 2022 and a remastered re-release of the debut album in 2023.
"The Divided States of Hysteria" promises to be more than just an album; it's a statement about the human condition in our increasingly complex world. The record tackles addiction, identity, social pressure, self-reflection, and the complex duality of human nature. From the questioning of technology's impact on our relationships in "Man Machine or Beast" to the raw exploration of humanity's darker instincts in "Predator," each track offers a unique perspective on modern existence.
The album's production quality reflects Monroe's expertise behind the mixing desk. The intricate layering of synthesizers and guitars creates a sonic landscape that's both familiar and revolutionary, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in modern rock music while maintaining an emotional core that resonates with listeners.
What sets "The Divided States of Hysteria" apart is its fearless approach to genre fusion. Monroe's background in producing various styles of music shines through in the album's diverse soundscape. The record seamlessly blends elements of future punk, industrial rock, and electronic metal, creating something entirely new while paying homage to its influences.
Tracks like "Float Right On By" offer poignant reflections on selfishness and the search for redemption, while "Clean Slate" stands as an anthem of renewal and forgiveness. "Right Back Down" showcases the album's heavier side with thrashing guitars and brutal vocals, exploring the intensity of relationships that end without warning.
As The Plague prepares to release "The Divided States of Hysteria," it's clear that this album represents not just a new chapter for the project, but potentially a new direction for rock music as a whole. By combining cutting-edge production techniques with deeply personal storytelling, Monroe has created a record that speaks to both the heart and the mind.
The album is now available for pre-order through FiXT, with "Ugly on the Inside" available as an instant-grat track. If this first single is any indication, "The Divided States of Hysteria" is poised to be one of 2025's most compelling and innovative releases.