SEVEN SINS is a Blackened Death Metal ensemble from Kazakhstan, who growled into the world of metal in 2013 with the release of their first album, "Одержимый насилием," (or "Obsessed With Violence" in English). The album was released at first entirely in Russian, but blasted itself into the memories of all metalheads with the band's distinct combination of orchestral backing, rapid-fire-drums, and Medvedev's terrifying switches between harsh, staccato screaming and throaty snarls. In particular, "Unit 731" seared itself into my mind with an explosion of stuttering drums, dissonant guitars, and roaring Russian vocals. Although the band released a promo called "Silent Hill" in 2010, they didn't develop a bigger fan base until three years later. There aren't many well-known musicians in Kazakhstan, much less Heavy Metal musicians, but SEVEN SINS' brand of Melodic Black Metal established a name for themselves in communities of fans of DIMMU BORGIR, CRADLE OF FILTH, TIAMAT, and other infamous Symphonic Black Death Metal bands.

The album "Due Diaboli Et Apocalypse" opens with a cinematic and eerie collection of sound effects and Medvedev's whispering vocals for the introductory song, "Tempus Mortuorum". The second track on the album, "Kabbalah," screams to life with a distorted Middle-Eastern sounding intro. This background repeats itself underneath stammering drumbeats and Mikhailov's riffs and searing solos, topped off with Medvedev's impressive sustained growls. The song definitely exudes a more Death Metal vibe, rather than Black Metal, but it is a strong track that is easy to head bang to.

Its follow-up track, "Alchemist," is in my opinion one of the strongest songs of the entire album. It lays down a powerful and epic keyboard track behind Minov and Mikhailov's biting rhythm and beautifully plays the raw savagery of Medvedev's voice off of a female soprano vocalizing in the background. Especially interesting is the clean, almost electronic sound of Mikhailov's guitar in the solo, which distinguishes it from its predecessor.

"Peregrinus" is the epitome of what a Blackened Death Metal song should be, beginning with a sweeping and cinematic riff, it descends into a whirlwind of drums and insane solos. However, it bears a distinct resemblance to other tracks by artists of the same genre, although the song itself is catchy and solid, it can sometimes feel repetitive and invoke a sense of déja vu in the listener. I, for one, found myself thinking I had heard some of SEVEN SINS' songs before even though I hadn't yet listened to their album.

The fifth track, "Mors Atra", was a melodic masterpiece by all means, but didn't stand out to me as anything particularly distinctive. The riffs and drums sounded similar to those of "Peregrinus," and although Medvedev's rumbling voice is impressive, it sounded almost exactly like the vocals of Shagrath (of DIMMU BORGIR). This is a compliment Shagrath is extremely talented. I understand that vocals and riffs, especially those in Symphonic Black Metal, are difficult to make unique. However, I just wish that the follow-up to three very strong songs would've continued to impress me.

Not to be deterred, though, SEVEN SINS rose up again in a blast of energy to deliver "Seraphim," the seventh track. The melodic background complemented the gliding guitar riffs perfectly, and Medvedov's voice blends enchantingly with those of the female vocalists. This song is so driving and epic that it could easily be a movie theme. The full length of the track is a melodic attack, supported by the band's expert melding of warp-speed solos and chugging riffs.
Though the guitar and drums of "Praesuptio Reatum" sounded much like those of previous songs, I undoubtedly enjoyed the vocals the most in this song, which sounded distorted and slightly electronic, much like the vocals in "Puritania" by DIMMU BORGIR.

However, this brings me to my biggest qualm about this album. I can't deny they have experience, talent, and musicianship. It is a true challenge to write a Symphonic Black Death Metal song that stands out from the others. Some of SEVEN SINS' tracks, namely "Seraphim" and "Alchemist," did just that. However, many others needed an extra push to create the difference, which would distinguish SEVEN SINS' songs from others of the same genre. That being said, "Due Diaboli Et Apocalypse" is a heavy, gloriously melodic experience that won't disappoint any Death or Black Metal fans and will leave you feeling like you've just taken an exhilarating ride through the dark and icy forests of Kazakhstan.