Storms Over The Dying World
Sacred Sin
This Portuguese thrash/death metal quartet have been producing their music now for just over 30 years as they have released six albums to date. Their current lineup is led by vocalist/bassist JOSE COSTA as he is joined by guitarists LUIS COELHO and TO PICA. Their drummer however as has their other members have changed over the years. Vocalist/bassist JOSE COSTA and guitarist TO PICA are also the founding members of this band as they have set out in 1991 after playing in previous bands including RAMP, THUGNOR, DARK TALES, EN FORCE, MASSACRE and CORPUS CHRISTI to name a few. In 1991 the band known as SACRED SIN had a demo followed by an EP titled THE SHADES BEHIND in 1992, then their debut album titled DARKSIDE was released in 1993 through Musica Alternativa. Their follow-up album EYE M GOD was released two years later in 1995, a compilation and demo came after this.
Then between the years of 1999 - 2003 came three more albums titled; ANGUISH....I HARVEST, TRANSLUCID DREAM MIRROR and HERATON-THE RETURN TO PRIMORDIAL CHAOS. A compilation album and split videos came to the fore in 2003 and 2008 respectively, another EP DAWN OVER DESOLATION also arrived in 2009. The band themselves were inactive after 2011 and the signs are they officially came back together in 2013 before they released their sixth studio album in 2017 titled GROTESQUE DESTRUCTO ART. An EP titled BORN SUFFER DIE went out in 2020 three years later and now their seventh album STORMS OVER THE DYING WORLDS has been released through Lusitanian Music in July this year.
The opener is of course "Storms Over The Dying The World" the title track of this album as powerful guitar casts a spell encouraging drums to jump into the mix. Death metal vocals are enchanting and using their initiative to be subtle at first allowing other instruments to become more dominant. Average speed drums clock in on time and remain resilient but reserved as they play simple and well thought patterns. "Perished Cold Ambers" has that thrash infused drum parts casually playing not too quick off the mark. Lightning bolts of electric guitar shoot down as they are well executed as vocals take to the spotlight to express emotional responses. Cymbal hits and vocals are in control of the closing section as we go into "Last Man".
Stamping drums as they rumble and quake like hot molten lava spitting whereas guitar stuns the listener with atmospheric action. Vocals entangle what is front of them and take their time in making their presence known. "Hell Is Here" with satanic vocals slowly growling as hell-raising guitar combines with crunching drums as this track merely says it is. Cymbal hits from drums resemble or symbolise the intensity with burning rolls as guitar uses higher pitched notes to allow vocals to lead into the next track. "Icons Of Blood" as crackling of what could be fire or a small light or flame as guitar stutters or goes into a tremolo tone. Vocals speak almost poetically as words whispered in a radio monotone voice as guitar throws thrilling riffs and drums also contribute with thumping textures.
This radio voiceover returns after lead vocals do go a long way to say they're still there in existence. "Rites Of Doom And Death" has acoustic guitar strumming along until booming electric guitar surprises the listener with rolling drums striking on target. Vocals echo and pull back at first then transpose to a more darker, dirtier tone even halfway through the track is a short guitar solo, drums accompany too. "Shroud Of Broken Promises" as the acoustic guitar closed the previous track and into the next is stupendous guitar pitch changing and contrast in tone as a treat. Drums goes on a straight-forward even backbeat with some faster rhythms but keeps that backbeat going as we go into the penultimate track. "Defy Thy Master" with that driving backbeat again as electric guitar is glamorous and epic as before while vocals aren't as heavy on this track. There is not much more difference.
"Skull Crushing Darkness" opens as footsteps are heard then electric guitar crawls slowly as vocals join in with drums gradually brought into the mix. Vocals speak by mumbling and growling words as the track features organ sound effects creating that occult and grim atmosphere. The drums carry on but take a short intermission as vocals and bells are heard mostly as we come to the end of this album. The guitar slides back into its position with slow but wonderful solo work as it then plays more rhythmically afterwards. We can hear hints of radio transmission but then a sudden sound of a car crash then silence. This album is very well played, it's produced very efficiently I felt the thrash elements did work in the bands favour. But the vocals adding the death metal twist was prominent and nicely sung as drums or guitar certainly played their parts.
7 / 10
Good
Songwriting
Musicianship
Memorability
Production
"Storms Over The Dying World" Track-listing:
1. Storms over The Dying World
2. Perish In Cold Ambers
3. Last Man
4. Hell Is Here
5. Icons of Blood
6. Rites Of Doom And Death
7. Shroud Of Broken Promises
8. Defy Thy Master
9. Skull Crushing Darkness
Sacred Sin Lineup:
Jose Costa - Vocals and Bass Guitar
Luis Coelho - Guitars
To Pica - Guitars
Fernando Dantas - Drums
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