Even with the current rude health exhibited by the more traditional end of the NWOBHM inspired heavy metal spectrum, with two previously well received album’s it’s fair to say that Allentown PA gang Sinister Realm have well and truly got their feet under the table. So where do we go with ‘difficult third album’ syndrome? More of the same of course.
‘Dark Angel of Fate’ gets us off to a canter through a bouncy little riff run with a super-catchy chorus and gruff but highly tuneful vocals that come in somewhere between Mael Mordha and a more subdued Wolf. It’s a great stall setter, this, because if you don’t like it frankly you ain’t gonna like a whole lot of World Of Evil. And what’s not to like? Big meaty NWOBHM styled US metal with a Judas Priest mid-pace stomp and a Dio sense of drama and melody. They certainly know a chorus do Sinister Realm as follow up track ‘Bell Strikes Fear’ proves and they weave a nice atmosphere with their songwriting, too. I do have a niggling issue with the production, mind: For all the muscular drama that this album is marinated in there’s something a touch flat here, just that step away from the super sheen it needs. Problem is that as the review copy came via download this may even be down to the mp3 compression even if it is a good one (seriously, net heads, get ahold of one of them old fashioned CD thingies and compare even at a good bit rate). Anyway, no biggie. Oh and sometimes the lyrics are an… acquired taste. I don’t mean the subject matter; their mad Sci-Fi and fantasy is fine by me, but there are moments when there seem to be the a couple or four words too many for the singer to comfortably spit out in a line but really when you are presented with such a lovely, brooding song as ‘The Ghosts Of Nevermore’ and it’s Dio influenced but modern sound it all becomes part of their individual, unique style really I guess.
No, really all you can look at is the songwriting and performance and frankly there ain’t a loose floorboard in the whole damned house. It would be cool to hear the guys really crank up the speed once on the album, mid paced to slower being their preferred gears, but if that’s not what they’re about I’m more than happy to go with this. What you get are eight top notch tracks that all stand on their own two feet. Put ‘Prophets Of War ‘ next to the title track and they share a sound and a style but project a different facet of the band. After that it’s down to individual taste: Apart from the vocals I’m not a fan of ‘Cyber Villain’ but love the closing song ‘Four Black Witches’ with its more doomy medieval flavour and deep brooding riff.
And yes I said eight songs. Something some other heavy metal bands should take note of (hi again Wolf! Love you but….). Eight full blooded songs with thick, tight riffs and expressive vocals with a fine bass heavy, driving engine room, not thirteen tracks packed with padding or requiring endurance training to get to the end. Eight. Carefully selected, extras if any put aside for use elsewhere, running time not far off one side of a C90 cassette (or is it just me who remembers when that was important…?) and leave you wanting more so you put the damn album on again.
And again.
And don’t you just love it when a band makes you do that? Quality and great headbanging fun guys. Thank you.
(8/10 Gizmo)
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