Sinister Realm
World of Evil
8 Track Album
Shadow Kingdom Records
Released 8th June 2013
Written for www.Ramzine.co.uk
Sinister Realm –
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Links:
Discography
Sinister Realm Demo 2008
Sinister Realm Full-length 2009
The Crystal Eye Full-length 2011
World of Evil Full-length 2013
Genre: Power
Metal
Biography:
Sinister Realm was formed in the summer of
2008 by former Pale Divine band- mates John Gaffney and Darin McCloskey. With a desire to capture the feel and spirit
of some of their early musical influences they set out to create music that
would harken back to the classic sounds of early Ozzy and Dio fronted Black
Sabbath. As things progressed and songs
began to take shape they knew that they had to find a singer and record a demo
so the world could hear what they were working on. Singer Alex Kristof entered the picture and a
four track demo was quickly recorded.
Positive feedback from around the Internet drew the attention of various
labels and eventually the decision was made to go with Shadow Kingdom
Records. Now in need of a complete band
(up to this point, John was also handling guitar duties) they set out to find a
guitar team that would bring to life the dual guitar influences of Judas Priest
and Iron Maiden. John Kanter and Keith
Patrick were enlisted and work began on the first self- titled album. Recorded at Brian J. Anthony's studio the
first album was unleashed on the world in 2009.
With its unique combination of heavy riffs, catchy melodies and
throwback vibe it was immediately met with praise from the metal community.
At this point
in the story Darin McCloskey had to step down due to having recently relocated
and Keith left to pursue other interests.
Local guitar hero John Risko was quickly enlisted and Chris Metzger,
whom Alex had sang with in a former project Type 14, took over the drum
throne. Lots of live gigs followed and
work began on the sophomore album "The Crystal Eye". Completed in 2011, "The Crystal
Eye" followed in the footsteps of the first album but brought the
traditional metal influences of bands like Priest and Maiden more to the
fore. Receiving worldwide acclaim, the
album helped bring in even more fans to the Sinister Realm camp.
Extensive live gigs were highlighted with a trip to Germany to play at
the Metal Assault Festival in Wurtzberg.
With two
successful albums under their belts, Sinister
Realm knew it was time to raise the stakes once again, enter their most
recent album "World of Evil". Combining all the elements that made the
first two albums successful as well as adding an even more epic feel to the
music, Sinister Realm has once again
proved themselves to be true defenders of the flag for classic heavy metal.
Dark Angel of Fate
With a
thunderous and rapturous powerful gait this track flings itself into the
spotlight with crisp guitar and transports you back to the 80’s and sounds none
too far removed from Dio so that’s a winner for me! A truly classic metal
track!
Bell Strikes Fear
Deep and
compelling this track engages with a thick tempestuous rhythm and clean but
powerful vocal. I swear I can hear Dio
singing this track it is quite chilling, but superb!! Another head banging
track that is well balanced with meaty riffs and strong bass lines.
World of Evil
The bands title
track soars with a thick rippling vibrancy of guitar riffs and leaves one in an
80’s ecstasy. Another classic metal track that is infused with Dioesque
quality.
The Ghosts of Nevermore
The dark
rumblings of a turning tidal wave bristling with intrigue, it unleashes sinewy
riffs and a quieter, crisp vocal.
Prophets of War
Thick rhythmic
and solid this track is drenched in a powerful swathe of melodic splendour.
Ripe for listening so get your ears ready. This sounds a lot like Bruce
Dickinson from Maiden and possesses Maidenesque qualities.
Cyber Villain
Another Maiden
bonanza with climbing rhythms reminding us that the 80’s is not dead but lives
on within the Realms of the Sinister! Try not to move your head to this... if
you can you are clearly a corpse!
The Forest of Souls
The rasping
breath begins and is then overtaken with a crisp acoustic guitar that is then
submerged into an electric rhythm. A truly unique track brimming with
engrossing quality.
Four Black Witches
This track
bubbles with a harsh rhythm that will have either your head moving or your toes
tapping.
To Sum up:
Definitely a
classic metal album that fans of the 80’s will be able to recognise and get
their teeth into. Although it is not anything new, it is good to hear bands like
this who appreciate the old school metal and bring it back into the spotlight.
Alex the band’s
vocals certainly has a gift sounding like Dio and Dickinson whilst the band
have captured an essence of the 80’s metal genre which in my opinion, was an
amazing decade and brought the metal scene alive. Although, these days I tend
not to listen to bands of the past but more to the bands of the future, but it
is great to be reminded of a time when Metal was truly coming into its own and
at the prime of its undying life.
Definitely a superb album!
10/10
Track List:
Dark Angel of Fate
Bell Strikes Fear
World of Evil
The Ghosts of Nevermore
Prophets of War
Cyber Villain
The Forest of Souls
Four Black Witches
Members:
Chris Metzger - Drums
John Risko - Guitars
John Shamus Gaffney - Bass, Vocals (backing), keyboards Guitars
Alex Kristof - Vocals
John Kantner - Guitars
