The Black Death is a one‑person symphonic black‑metal project from Lima, Peru, active in the early–mid 2020s and built around the creative identity of Marquis Shax, who performs all instruments, vocals, and conceptual design. The project blends symphonic and gothic black metal with a narrative centered on the Bubonic Plague, using plague‑doctor imagery, apocalyptic storytelling, and dramatic orchestral arrangements.
The Black Death presents itself as a solo symphonic/gothic black‑metal act, with Marquis Shax constructing a mythic narrative around a demon—the Marquis Shax—banished to Earth during the era of the Black Death. According to the project’s lore, this entity witnesses divine punishment inflicted upon humanity and chooses to fight both God and the plague in an attempt to save mankind.
This narrative framework shapes the project’s musical and visual identity:
An interview describes the band as influenced by symphonic black metal and Peruvian criolla music, suggesting a hybrid approach that blends European symphonic traditions with local melodic sensibilities.
The Black Death’s sound is defined by:
The project fits within the modern wave of symphonic black metal, but with a conceptual focus on plague‑era devastation and metaphysical conflict.
The project’s first release, later incorporated into the full‑length album. It introduces the core themes of plague, divine punishment, and the arrival of the demon Shax.
Released on January 21, 2024, this album is the central work of The Black Death. It contains seven tracks:
The album is described as “a mirror of a desire that we all sometimes feel… with a powerful selection of songs and an interesting lore part”, reinforcing its narrative and emotional focus.
The release is available on Bandcamp, SoundCloud, and YouTube, where it is presented as symphonic/gothic black metal with a strong conceptual arc.
The Black Death stands out in Peru’s black‑metal landscape for:
The project has gained visibility through interviews, online releases, and international black‑metal channels, positioning it as one of the more theatrical and symphonic Peruvian black‑metal acts of the 2020s.
| Marquis Shax | Everything |
| The Arrival | Single | 2023 | Â |
| Darkened Shadows of the Plague | Full-length | 2024 |