UK band SINNERGOD prove you don't need to be a Metal band to entertain the masses with intriguing edginess and macabre themes. Upon my first look at the band, I assumed a strange combination of MARILYN MANSON, ROB ZOMBIE and CRADLE OF FILTH; a little further on the Goth side, if you will, for want of a label. However I'm not so sure their music can be labeled; yes, there are definite metal influences, but I am hearing a strongly-overbearing alternative and industrial touch. Upon thorough listening, they are by no means the cliché, trying-too-hard-to-be-scary band one might assume.

A chillingly creepy intro track, which doubles as a short narrative for the album, begins track one, "The Thirst", which was chosen as a music video. A heavy, chugging and muddy wall of sound, a thick mix of coarse guitars and overdriven bass pack quite a heavy punch as the fist that is armored by the tungsten knuckles of Mark's aggressive and raucous voice, who is, however, not afraid to use vibrato. "Through it All" made a pleasantly surprising turn towards a different sound. A much softer and slower track, a bit of an arm-waver, one may say; the theme, vocal and melodic style is much mellower. While the vocals are still aggressive, they are less in-your-face and, in parts, take a more tender approach to what is almost purely an Alt. Rock song. There is also an enjoyable guitar solo in this piece that doesn't necessarily aim to show off, but is extremely melodic and soulful and doesn't detract from the song at all.

"Unknown" almost could have been my favorite track on the album. It consists of a relatively simple, but uniquely groovy drum riff. The guitar riffs it is placed with also don't mean to over-articulate, but seem to more or less add an atmospheric layer. Together with the soaring vocal runs, parts of the song might make one feel a rush of adrenaline; simple, but epic and majestic. What kept this song from being perfect, in its own right, was an unusual rap passage partway through the song. I was thoroughly enjoying the song up until this point; it seemed completely unnecessary. Before and after, however, the song was essentially excellent. Additionally, the album contained two bonus tracks; why they were not included, I have no idea, because they are really both terrific tracks; "Bang, You're Dead" was easily my favorite, however, and possibly my favorite track on the album. Similar to the first track in pounding out that unmistakably Alt. Metal groove, and pained vocal shouts reminiscent of the great Jon Oliva, the chorus even contains some slight Irish Rock influences. Soon enough, I'm brought back to the soaring and atmospheric passages that first attracted me to their music.

I did not once notice a strictly 'weak' track on this album; the combination of Metal, with genres I would not normally find myself listening to, made for a pleasantly surprising audible experience; already featuring Blaze Bayley on a previous piece of work, they must be quickly developing a name for themselves in the British Rock and Metal scene... And I still can't get my head around the rap passage.