During the years between 1996 and 2003-2004, Power Metal experienced a growth and peak of success. It's not necessary to state that many classic albums and EPs of the genre were released in this period, what means that they came to influence the generations to come. Today, after the trend has passed and only the strong survived, some courageous acts appear and try their luck. One of them is the Swedish band KARDINAL SIN, a sextet that is releasing their third album, the apocalyptic "S.A.L.I.G.I.A". Musically, the band presents a blend between Heavy and Power Metal, but using elements of Prog Metal (due the technical refinement of the instrumental arrangements and elaborated approach on the songs). The band used a similar feature that KAMELOT presented on "The Black Halo": a deep, melancholic and darkened outfit on the songs, here giving body to the lyrics (that deal with the inexorable Apocalypse and end of the world that humankind unleashed with its actions on world's story), instead of that epic ambiences usual for the genre.

But hold your horses: it doesn't mean that they're a copy or something like that. The sextet bears a personality, what is needed to play such eroded path, and shows a very good work that deserves applauses for the courage and great work. Resuming things: it's an excellent album, indeed. The band produced the album itself, but hired Fredrik Folkare (who previously worked with FIRESPAWN, NECROPHOBIC, UNLEASHED and others) to mix the songs ate Chrome Studios, with the mastering done by Lawrence Mackrory (that signed releases of VOMITORY, DARKANE, DECAPITATED, WITCHERY, KATATONIA and others) at Obey Mastering. All to guarantee a clean, defined and heavy sonority that not only enables the sextet to express their songs in the best way possible, but brings the genre to a new and different level. And what disturbing (but beautiful) work on the cover done by the hands of Thomas Geson.

Rhe album has a central concept on its lyrics, so it demands of the band a musical work that's able to 'link' one song to the others to make things work as they must. And KARDINAL SIN did the things in a very good way, as can be heard especially on "They Crashed in the Storm" (that seems a modern Heavy Power Metal song with a darker and melancholic appeal, with charming melodies, and great keyboards and backing vocals), "The Beginning of the End (Wasteland Symphony Pt: 1)" (what lovely catchy melodies and contrasts of ambiences, with very good vocals that uses tunes that aren't usual for the genre), "Siege of Jerusalem" (lovely keyboards arrangements and dynamical arrangements on the rhythms created by bass guitar and drums, with the guest vocals of Ellinor "Hellinor" Asp), "Lost Imperium (Wasteland Symphony Pt: 2)" (that combines some of old Power Metal approach with a modern and aggressive ambience, but what lovely chorus), "Reveal the Sinners Soul" (where the guitars are fiery and fierce on the riffs and arrangements, but tempered by excellent orchestrations of the keyboards, and what great vocals and backing vocals contrasts), "S.A.L.I.G.I.A" (another very good set of contrasts on the vocals can be heard, adorned by solid rhythms), and... Oh, come on! Don't be lazy, hear these ones and "In the Line of Fire", "Devastation", "The Velvet Lies" and "The Aftermath (Wasteland Symphony Pt: 3)", because time will pass without you noticing it! It means that "S.A.L.I.G.I.A" is homogeneous in a way that's hard to resist to this album as a unity.

The final words: listen to "S.A.L.I.G.I.A" loud, and enjoy what KARDINAL SIN is giving to you.