Bloodsweat, the new album by Plague Vendor, is their most powerful and menacing work, and it cements the band as the purveyors of dark post-punk in the current scene. They are a fierce live band who spent the last two years playing endless live shows. At the heart of every show is frenetic front man Brandon Blaine, who channels the Birthday Party-era Nick Cave. The band evokes a foreboding, and very rock ‘n’ roll presence reminiscent of ‘80s Southern California punk. Bloodsweat captures the intensity of Plague Vendor and you will soon agree with Pitchfork when they say “it f***ing shreds.”