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A new album by SINSAENUM is an occurrence few saw coming. Formed initially in 2016 by Frédéric Leclerq (then of DRAGONFORCE), Stéphane Buriez and Joey Jordison, the death metal supergroup was seemingly the next main project for the latter following his departure from SLIPKNOT three years prior. Two albums came out, debut Echoes Of The Torture in the same year and Repulsion For Humanity in 2018 before the members went away to work on other projects. Jordison‘s tragic passing in 2021 may have spelled the permanent end but, seven years after their last release, all of the remaining original members are back with an album that serves as tribute to both their fallen comrade and Leclerq‘s late father. Named In Devastation, it’s released on August 8th via earMUSIC.
It goes without saying that this is a band stuffed with talent – alongside Leclerq, who currently plays bass for KREATOR, there are also former members of bands like MAYHEM, DÅÅTH and SETH, with Jordison‘s former drum tech Andre Joyzi taking over on kit duties. It’s a lineup that’s been around the block numerous times, and it goes a long way to explain why this record packs so much of a punch. If you like your modern death metal and you’ve not come across SINSAENUM until now, then this is the perfect starting place. Although the whole band are on top form, Leclerq and Buriez are the MVPs; their guitar work across the record is exceptional, from the groove-laden movements of the opening title track and Cede to Thunder to the thrash of Spiritual Lives and the truly brutal ending to Buried Alive, which bludgeons the listener with the audible equivalent of a sledgehammer to the skull, helped out by vocalists Sean Zatorsky and Attila Csihar screaming the title of the song repeatedly with enough venom that you fear their vocal chords will snap at a moment’s notice.
But, rather than just give the world an album of huge riffs and double-bass drumming to announce their return, SINSAENUM have also broken new ground in places, evolving their sound from what has come before. The most notable development is the clean singing on both Obsolete and Broken and the emotionally-charged Last Goodbye; it’s a nice change of pace for one, but it also adds a vulnerability that’s seldom seen in this style of music and, in small doses, it will serve the band well. Keyboards are also featured for added atmosphere, such as the beginning of the stompy Shades Of Black and penultimate track This Wretched World, while there are also moments of a more progressive sound developing in places here and there throughout the album. That’s not to say a further studio effort is going to see the band playing ten minute epics, but it’s an additional edge that allows for more than just one dimension to explore.
You would have forgiven SINSAENUM for calling it a day after Jordison‘s passing, but their desire to honour him and Leclerq‘s father, and also provide those who have had to find strength in their darkest moments an album to connect with, is something to be applauded. The fact they’ve also delivered their best album so far is even better. Welcome back, guys.
Rating: 8/10
In Devastation is set for release on August 8th via earMUSIC.
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The post ALBUM REVIEW: In Devastation – Sinsaenum appeared first on Distorted Sound Magazine.
