In 1993 the band Sinister released the follow up to their well received debut Cross the Styx. What the unsuspecting public were about to get was a face melting experience that somehow escaped the popularity that a disc of this quality deserved. Don't fret though, if you missed it the first time around, Metal Mind Productions is giving death metal fans a chance to have their senses pummeled with this re-release that is limited to 2000 copies.
With so many bands of this genre out there it is refreshing when you find someone that gives you something different. Sinister is a band that will do that. Yes, they are a death metal band for sure but the guitar playing of Andre Tolhuizen is a treat! He gives you a good thrashing but is also prone to throw in a great proggy riff run when the mood strikes as in the title track "Diabolical Summoning" or the very infectious "Mystical Illusions." Or he might tune it down and give you an Ioimi like thrashing on songs like "Leviathan" or the opening track "Sadistic Intent." He really is the highlight of the disc.
Vocalist Mike van Mastrigt is very ordinary as the chief growler and delivers most of the disc in a monotone which is bearable but does get boring before you reach the end of the album. Don't get me wrong, he is adequate for the job but certainly nothing special.
Metal Mind Productions also gives you a couple bonus tracks to entice you into this purchase. The live tracks "Into The Forgotten" and "Bleeding Towards The Wendigo" are both worthwhile additions and give you a good taste of these guys on stage.
Overall, this is a very good quality death metal album that deserves a better fate then it had the first time around. Give it a try, you will be surprised for sure.
Track listing:
1. Sadistic Intent
2. Magnified Wrath
3. Diabolical Summoning
4. Sense Of Demise
5. Leviathan
6. Desecrated Flesh
7. Tribes Of The Moon
8. Mystical Illusions
Bonus Tracks:
9. Into The Forgotten
10. Bleeding Towards The Wendigo