This is the debut album from US death metallers Sinistrum.
I’m not sure what initially drew me to check out Sinistrum, but as soon as I saw that they contain current and ex-members of Abominant, Bihargam, Aeons of Eclipse, and Fornicus, I knew I had to give this a proper go.
I’m glad I did, as Infernal Dawn revealed itself to be a meaty 43-minute feast of death/thrash metal. It’s the sort of record that’s easy to enjoy for fans of melodically rich death metal that’s packed with decent songs. If you’re a fan of bands such as Hypocrisy, Malevolent Creation, Cancer, and Dismember, then you should check this out.
Infernal Dawn is a death metal album that incorporates jagged thrash into itself, making for a riff factory that keeps pumping out hooks. Sinistrum know how to write a good death metal tune around this, fleshing out the riffs with good structure and transitions and a keen ear for melody. Of the latter, the winding leads and screaming solos augment the well-arranged riffs and engaging rhythms so that the songs feel complete and satisfying.
Infernal Dawn is the sort of album that grows over time. The riffs and melodies are potent, and they smash their way into your skull and set up shop their. The vocals combine growls and screams, with also some unexpected clean vocals here and there, (such as on prime cut Legacy in Barbarity).
Highly recommended.
Wonderbox Metal 