Sidious are a four piece blackened Death Metal band from our nation’s capital. They are comprised of Isfeth on vocals, Indomitus –guitar, Baalrath on bass and Khrudd (snigger) on drums.
Apparently these chaps are drawn from various corners of the capitals metal underworld including Eye of Solitude and are now unleashing their debut on us via Kaotoxin records.
First off I have to say that this is a big sounding record. The drums sound huge and the bass and guitars make sure they compete as well. There are huge swathes of influences in here – Behemoth and Watain being most obvious. To Sidious credit they do not come across as a tribute act riding on coat tails. There is a definite sense of individuality about these boys.
The title track which opens proceedings greets the listener with pounding drums before a gentle piano break. Then hell is unleashed! Blasts aplenty and gorgeous death rasps from the very depths let me know what is in store. Sidious like to switch tempo and there is a bit of early Amon Amarth in the pacing of this opener with sections of break-neck classic death metal to get the blood up and head banging.
Inexorable Revelation hits the ground sprinting for its life with the keyboards adding an impending atmosphere to the blasting. There is a lot of melody in here as well and some great chunky grooves. As someone who is not a huge DM fan this certainly gives it the nod over a lot of heads down blasters at the moment.
What is refreshing with this album is the song lengths. The longest offering here is 6:34. No 8 minute epics that are really two songs cut and shut into one. Well done lads.
Revealed in Profane Splendour follows with swathes of heads down death followed by punches of blackest Black Metal. It is strange for something so rich and textured to be able to evoke such a grim feel.
Annihilation of Abhorrent Cred opens with chants from some Dante’esque imagining. This track brings to mind Satyricon with Indomitus guitar often taking on the sound that Satyr is renowned for. This works well and the spoken parts are fantastic adding to the evil atmosphere. Not so keen on the clean singing here. Bit cheesy for me, but a small niggle in a great and epic sounding track.
Obscenity ov Old follows and continues with the stark BM guitar parts interspersed with bludgeoning blasts and fiendish break downs. Isfeth shows some versatility with his vocals here moving from deep rasp to high pitched blackened shrieks with good effect.
Infernal Reign opens epically and does not disappoint from therein. Keyboards are used to good effect during the searing guitar breaks and the military style of the staccato drums are a great touch. It sounds like Satan’s army is on the march handing out flaming flags to bystanders and licking the pus from their blistered hands. (got carried away there)
So to finish off Sidious offer O Paragon, Bringer ov Light (this use of the v – so kvlt eh?). This track has a real Viking metal feel to it. OK when I say that, it really just evokes the early Amon Amarth sound again but adds in the Black and Deather ( I am gonna patent that) sensibilities that Sidious have in spades. The drums again are huge and show what a great drummer can do in BM. So much tin can drumming out there with blasts masquerading as talent. It is great to hear a good backbeat for the infernal cacophonous canvas.
Go check out Sidious you’d be Darth not to
(7.5/10 Matt Mason)
https://www.facebook.com/sidiousofficial
http://listen.kaotoxin.com/album/revealed-in-profane-splendour
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