Review by Rosh on April 7, 2022.

Sinister Realm's self-titled debut is an album that immediately appealed to me for simply being much better than most of the modern traditional metal movement, and you could point to this band's affiliation with traditional doom metal (Pale Divine in particular) for making it way more likable than the actual, oddly pop-y, NWOTHM stuff, but the success of this album is really just a matter of putting some concentrated effort into your songwriting in a way that influences the album as a whole. The music itself is essentially a slightly heavier version of something Ronnie's instrumentalists would've played on the classic Dio albums, except a little doomier and slower at times because of what, to me, sounds like some Solitude Aeturnus influence. It's very straightforward heavy metal riffing, but it's played with way more energy and power than most of the other bands in this niche, which I'll discuss more in a moment. Sinister Realm though, is an album that I've had success with using as a sort of catalyst to convert detractors of modern traditional metal, or avoiders of traditional doom, back into the styles.

So, yes, the riffs here are very by-the-books heavy metal fare, but not in a "so since this band can play their instruments decently and recently heard some metal classics, they decided to try to emulate the genre's motifs" kind of way - more like a "they've been playing heavy metal all their lives so it comes naturally to them" kind of way. I like how 'Machine God' uses a heavy, power chord-based hook with a certain crunchiness to it, but it's not super Sabbath-y like you'd expect a slower power chord riff from a heavy/doom band to be, it's more in line with a slower Iron Maiden song such as "Revelations", and 'Machine God' also reaches a really memorable refrain towards the end that fully capitalizes on the potential of its main riff, and this is but one example of what I mean about songwriting being a focus here. The musicians make up a solid rhythm-based band packing good riffs, but the songs aren't afraid to become vocal-oriented at times and it results in none of it growing tiresome, especially since the singer here has a rich, robust voice.

Opener 'The Oracle - Into the Depths of Hell' as well as the instrumental namesake track 'Enter The Sinister Realm' have a little bit of a Maiden feel as well, due to the triumphant gallop to the riffing and how the entire musical passage unfolds gradually, despite not really moving too slowly as a whole. Moody and foreboding guitar melodies work their way into the songs subtly, without insisting upon themselves, and the bassist keeps things really steady in a thumping sort of way (he also played on my favorite Pale Divine album, "Cemetery Earth"). In addition, the latter instrumental piece kind of reminds me of Satan's "The Ritual", which says a lot about the composition and performance itself, because the production here is way more crisp sounding than on an album like "Court In The Act" from 1983. 'The Demon Seed', meanwhile, has that typical "triplet" rhythm you hear in traditional heavy metal all the time, and the fact that it sounds as badass and driving as it does here is proof of what I was talking about earlier. Heavy metal guitar playing motifs exist for a reason, so play them with some real balls and you'll melt faces off, even if it's not completely fresh.

Sinister Realm definitely feels strongly inspired by classic heavy metal, there's no doubt about that, but it's actually still doomier than most of the music bands like Argus and Grand Magus have put out. On the doom metal side of things, there's a lot of the same stuff that made "Through The Darkest Hour" such a consistent album from Solitude Aeturnus, for example the verses of 'The Demon Seed' to me are like "Pawns Of Anger" but more concise and punchy, and interestingly, you could also point to the more accessible, nearly contemporary albums from The Gates Of Slumber like "Conqueror" and "Hymns Of Blood And Thunder" as being based on a corollary influence in the heavy/doom style. Finally, 'Message From Beyond' is a very good melodic trad doom song and not something you'd normally hear most bands who aren't considered "full-on" doom metal play. It's got a slithering kind of riff that is Sabbath-y as hell this time, it's like something Leif Edling would've written when Candlemass was still called Nemesis. This tells you that Sinister Realm are a class act and they do actually strive for originality.

I guess my liking for this album is pretty simple to explain when compared to some of my other preferences that are a bit off the beaten path, because it's not only memorable, but it's an inspired execution of familiar, established genre traits. The Crystal Eye from 2 years after this debut album is above average as well, but a bit less distinct in regards to the heavy/doom sound. I don't necessarily think Sinister Realm needs to be a project with tons more material coming out in the future, because as it stands right now, they offer something that is both inspiring and indispensable for any traditional heavy metal enthusiast.

Rating: 9.3 out of 10

Review by Jack on March 7, 2002.

My original thoughts of “Under the Cross” from Squealer were of thoughts of Megadeth; the opening riffs and drum blasts on the track ‘Painful Lust’ reminded me of Megadeth back in the late 80’s/early 90’s. Fortunately for my ears and this CD’s mark; we do not have another Megadeth clone, but in fact an album that would have to be in contention for one of the most diverse power metal albums this year.

Squealer (for those of you who have/had not heard of them, like me) are a metal band whom you would perhaps throw in the power metal category; however if you do see fit to deem Squealer and this year’s effort in “Under the Cross” as solely power metal, you would be doing them a BIG disservice. The coolest thing I picked up from my early listening of “Under the Cross” is the difference in each and every song. In the opener track, ‘Painful Lust’, you have some hard riffs and drums that belong in any other genre of metal apart from power metal; it is just too tough and manly to be power metal. The vocal efforts of Henner are also too thrashy to be pinned down to power metal and have a sort of hardcore edge to them. One-dimensional is something Henner is not; skip to the gothic ballad track in ‘Fade Away’ and you will hear a set of lungs that many a gothic-tinged vocalist would be proud of.

The story behind “Under the Cross” is one of religious thoughts and views; ironic and attempts at humor are abound in bucket-loads. ‘Painful Lust’ tells a tale about a monk jerking himself off and then we skip to a serious track in ‘Facing the Death’ which explains to us about fanaticism and dying for a cause...

There is something for everyone on “Under the Cross”; the cleaner vocals of Henner are simply amazing and in conjunction with the gang-vocals ala Stuck Mojo, you will find yourself singing along in blind faith. Definitely to be a favourite amongst power metal fans.

Bottom Line: Never a dull moment on “Under the Cross”. Squealer cross so many spectrums of metal that growing tired or bored of them would be a hard thing to achieve. A winner.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 9
Originality: 7
Overall: 7.5

Rating: 8.1 out of 10