In Santiago, Chile, a few experience guys and musicians saw that it was 2018 and they needed to start making noise as a band next to what they were doing at the time. As a result, SINNER’S BLOOD was formed. They gelled so well that this band became their priority. In 2020 they were able to release their debut album “The Mirror Star”, followed a year later by a live EP called “Inside The Mirror – Live At Orange Studio”. I haven’t heard those releases, so always dreaded sophomore album “Dark Horizons” is my first foray into their musical world. What does help is the fact that Frontiers Music Srl is their record company, as that will ensure a certain level of quality.

As for the musical direction SINNER’S BLOOD has chosen, it is Melodic Metal, with a mix of Heavy and Power Metal mixed in constantly, but also some slightly Industrial and even Gothic snippets here and there. And whilst listening to “Dark Horizons” I can only conclude that they do have their ducks in a row, as what SINNER’S BLOOD is playing is being done with a bucketload of conviction, a heap of enthusiasm, a lot of good sounding harmony vocals and an abundance of musical ability. In short, all the ingredients are available and being used to ensure a very successful record. There is no escaping the fact that the way the music is set up and structured your brain doesn’t get a lot of opportunities to wander off. SINNER’S BLOOD is very good at changing direction, using breaks or simply diversifying the intensity of the songs to keep you interested.

Still, as good as that all might sound, in the 49 minutes that SINNER’S BLOOD is using to throw you conscience into adoring “Dark Horizons”, it is only partially successful. I really do like what I hear all the way through, but it just doesn’t make me jump for joy or wish to find out all that the band has done before. There is something missing for me, and that is pure emotion. This is very intense Melodic Power/Heavy Metal, brought to us in an ADHD fashion, and for me it is lacking in all the other emotions that make music irresistible. Maybe I’m just being an old fart, but at intervals I actually need some time to reflect, to wind down. And “Dark Horizons” doesn’t give me that. Even the majority of the title song, which is a power ballad just pushes along without prejudice. There is just one small (piano) bit that does, and I just need more of that. So, even though I really like what SINNER’S BLOOD is presenting to me on “Dark Horizons”, I would like to see more variation in emotions. Something to reflect on.