Year: 2020
Total Time: 44:18
Label: Massacre Records

The Dutch Death Metal attack continues in 2020! After THANATOS and GOD DETHRONED the veterans SINISTER return with their new album entitled “Deformation Of The Holy Realm”. Counting already thirteenth full length albums in its career, SINISTER is a band that since 1995 and the amazing record “Hate”, continues steadily to release decent albums, without something extraordinary. Also, unlike their compatriots ASPHYX and THANATOS SINISTER, those guys are far away from the Dutch Death Metal sound, with their influences based on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.

The new record is consisted of eight brutal Death Metal songs (plus an intro and outro) with the influences mainly coming from DEICIDE, the recent CANNIBAL CORPSE and MALEVOLENT CREATION. In some parts we can find influences from BEHEMOTH. The album continues to where SINISTER’s previous album “Syncretism” stopped, having a more “macabre” atmosphere. The band, without sacrificing its violent sound, manages remarkable to be heard straightforward and easy listening to all Death Metal fans. The growl vocals will remind Mr. Glen Benton, while guitars have borrowed their stormy Death/Thrash sound from the American Death Metal scene we mentioned before. In addition, the sufficiently powerful production of  “Deformation Of The Holy Realm” maintains its violent character by giving a catchy (but monotonous in some places) sound to the songs.

SINISTER is adding another good album to their year career which will be appreciated by all Death Metal fans. However, after some listenings I foresee that it will be forgotten. The album creates violent headbanging feelings during its length but is predictable, as we have heard all these at the past. I do not think that the Dutch have the capability for something better.

Rating: 6.5/10
Editor: Nikos Manousis
Related Link: SINISTER – Facebook Page