Sinister

Bastard Saints (Nuclear Blast)
by Dave Bone

Cro-magnon death metal barbarianism has been Sinister‘s specialty ever since their debut, Cross the Styx. They have always teetered on the verge of being good but never had that consecutive string of riffs to form a memorable song. This four-song EP does not measure up to the band’s best release, Diabolical Summoning, or their last full-length, Hate. “Rebels Dome” showcases the technical skills of a great death band, but Mike’s vocals stagnate in melancholy. The songs “Cross the Styx” and “Epoch in Denial” are re-recorded from their debut with the only difference being a slight improvement in clarity. If a Sinister album is to be bought, let it not be this one.