Review by Krys on July 18, 2002.

Right on the heels of their 2001 debut “Manifest Of Hate”, The Forsaken comes back with the monstrous “Arts of Desolation”, taking their trade one step further in combining melody with thrash and brutal death metal. Without the original bass player Michael Hakansson, who decided to focus on Evergrey, this Swedish quartet recorded an album that is the most complete fusion of Swedish melody and American brutal death metal I’ve had the pleasure to lay my ears on.

Combining the Scandinavian sound (post At The Gates era) with brutal death riffs and the aggression of old school thrashers, The Forsaken will satisfy a big chunk of today’s extreme music fanatics. Guitar duo of Stefan Holm and Patrik Persson (who also handless bass) molest their instruments in any possible way known to a modern guitarist. Filled with masterful guitar work, solos, rhythm changes and their technically superior skills shine not only in the way they handle their axes but also with how much ease and tact they go from one style to another. While pounding your head to the ground with dark testaments to the inspiration of Morbid Angel like ‘Dethroned’ or ‘Injected Terror’ they’ll start chopping trashy riffs with so much aggression and precision that an older generation of metallers might drop a shed a tear in nostalgic convulsions.

While lead by skilled twin guitars “Arts of Desolation” is a heaven for any guitar freak I would commit an unforgivable mistake not mentioning the human machine behind the drum kit. Merciless pounding by Nicke Grabowski is not only based on speed but on an unlimited number of rhythm changes and outstanding musical tact that gives more identity to each song. Adding to complete picture is vocalist Anders Sjoholm who goes from infernal guttural vocals to throat screams and anything in between with so much ease you might think there’s definitely more than one vocalist in this band.

And just for sake of a little bitching at the end I would love to hear more of all those elements integrated in every track rather than concentrating on one style in one song and playing the next song in another. I believe The Forsaken is able to achieve this perfect mix on their next album but till then enjoy one of the best albums of this year.

Bottom Line: “Arts of Desolation” is just few steps from a masterpiece and unless you’re are not in an excellent health condition hide your head between your legs and wait for mammy because those insane Swedes went through my room like tornado and nothing seems to be the same anymore.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 10
Originality: 8
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.8 out of 10

Review by JD on February 9, 2012.

I love ceratin aspects of Prog Metal. And then there are others I totally despise. I love the intense need of having pure talent and hate that sometimes it is so boring and over complicated that I end up deciding that watching my arm hairs grow would be a better option than to listen to the Prog band I happen to be listening to. That is just how it is for me.

Finland’s Sinfully Yours is a four member Dark Prog Metal band, which plays a style of music that is melancholy with rich lyrics and heavy riffs that have this almost orchestral sort of feel shooting through the album. It seems to move and pulse along with almost a life like animation that is very pleasing to the ear that still satisfies the most picky metalhead with its heavy guitars.

Each of the three tracks on the album is a lyrical masterpiece, and so musically sound, yet the vocals of Benjamin Varonen stop the good vibes cold. Remarkable musicianship needs a great set of lungs to make it all come together. The uninspired, underpowered and very mediocre singing of Mr. Varonen kills the mood and knocks Sinfully Yours down for the count. With thin tonality and a inability to have any range whatsoever, the album falters and sinks into a darkening pit.

Getting a new singer with some balls and making sure there is a bigger budget for better production will make Sinfully Yours a band to watch if they decide to do so. As it stands right now, listen to them for the amazing and fresh music and ignore the whine of the ‘muppet’ on vocals. It is sad that it is all ruined by one part of the machine that does not belong in it - but like all machinery, it can be improved and maximised for optimal usage. God, I hope they do just that.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8.5
Atmosphere: 5 (vocals kill this rating)
Production: 6
Originality: 7
Overall: 8

Rating: 6.9 out of 10