CoC : Sinister - Savage or Grace : Review

Sinister - _Savage or Grace_
(Nuclear Blast, 2003)
by: Xander Hoose (7 out of 10)

Sinister has a long record of getting rated 7 out of 10 by my colleagues at CoC, with the exception of a 7.5 for their last album. Although I tend to hold Sinister's _Hate_ album in a somewhat higher esteem than that, I more or less agree with the conclusion that can be drawn from this trend: they're definitely not bad, it's just that they're not that good. With _Savage or Grace_, Sinister continue nicely along this path. Some of the songs show a slight increase in technical skill compared to some of the previous albums, but the (female) vocals tend to blend in with the wall of sound. Almost on purpose I would say, as if they realize that Rachel isn't the best of death metal vocalists, but having a female singer is a big asset when it comes to live performances. Ah well, having seen them live more than once I can't really blame them for it. _Savage or Grace_ (in its meager thirty minute glory) is an album that won't conquer any new souls and remains faithful to the old ones. A safe pick, but definitely no recommendation.

Contact: http://www.sinistercentral.cjb.net

(article published 27/6/2003)

CHATS
1/14/2002	A Bromley	Sinister: Creative Brutality Unleashed
3/16/1997	S Hoeltzel	Sinister: Across the Styx and Back

ALBUMS
9/17/2008	J Smit	6.5	Sinister - The Silent Howling
2/17/2006	J Smit	8	Sinister - Afterburner
1/14/2002	A McKay	7.5	Sinister - Creative Killings
2/13/1999	P Schwarz	7	Sinister - Aggressive Measures
10/11/1996	A Wasylyk	7	Sinister - Bastard Saints
9/2/1995	G Filicetti	7	Sinister - Hate

GIGS
5/13/2001	M Noll	Marduk / Mortician / Vader / God Dethroned / Amon Amarth / Mystic Circle / Sinister / ...And Oceans / Bal Sagoth	Baptized by Fire and Beer