Review by JD on December 13, 2012.

I remember back in high school when metal was not quite the big thing yet but still the music that was coming was calling to me like a siren song. Angel Witch, Saxon, Samson, Black Sabbath and other NWOBHM became my life. One band that was in there live in the late 70's, yet through some weirdness never got onto a record until 1998, was a underrated band from Brittain named Pagan Altar.

Doomy NWOBHM titans have been in the business for years yet they never seemed to get above that cult status that they are now enjoying. I found them to sound like a very unique mashing of St. Vitus, Old Ozzy era Sabbath and a twisted version of Saxon. They show that they are from the building era of metal and is not afraid to show it. Dark and rich ambiance with some brutal heaviness with old school fun, Pagan Altar shows the new metallers how to do it up right.

This EP is powerful and yet has a finesse that many bands try to develop over the years, Pagan Altar always seem to have it naturally. Each of the five songs are a true Doom gem, holding their own with heavy class. From the starting strains of 'Highway Cavalier' to the last pounding rhythms of 'Reincarnation'... the power and class of Pagan Altar comes through like a beacon in the Doom Metal gloom.

Old school Doom is a class act all the way especially when it is done by a band that was one of the ones that has seemed to have originated it all. For all who don’t know much of where metal had originated or those who need to have their memories refreshed a little - this is the album for you.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

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

Rating:8.5 out of 10

Review by JD on March 21, 2010.

If pain, degeneracy and viciousness had a soundtrack all of its own... I really think that I have found the band that have brought all of this to life in music. With unrelenting harshness and a near lethal sonic attack that goes beyond the normal of most Death Metal, Colorado based Sinister Creed has seemed to tap into that certain place of the human spirit that makes such wickedness possible.

With a razor sharp edge to their guitars blaring a path out of the speakers, Sinister Creed’s "Divine Lies" begin its blood soaked job. Assaulting your very senses with a battery of spasm inducing beats and pounding bass riffs that rumble forth, the band shows off the complex power of Death Metal played at its ultimate best. Strong, vicious lyrics and almost addictive leads seem to shred your very mind.

Songs like the face peeling attack of ‘Temporary Insanity’ to the seven megaton blast of the album’s title track, Sinister Creed has put out a work of pure blood soaked art that leaves you wanting to hear more and more. Aggressiveness has a way of getting its point across, with a point blank approach... and this album does.

Straight forward and very heavy music is what the band gives. If you don’t want that, and need something along the lines of EMO shit, go else where. This is powerful metal for the truest of metallers. The squeamish should not listen to this album for they are at risk of having their brains liquified, and having their bowels explode.

Categorical Rating Breakdown　

Musicianship:8.5
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 9
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 8.5

Rating: 8.7 out of 10

Review by Adam M on July 1, 2012.

This is a great recent Death Metal album that incorporates complexities into a sound that is reminiscent of earlier Carcass to create interesting material overall. The songs on "Earth Sick" have a weird vibe to them and mix this with elements like speed to create an interesting mixture.

The songs are exciting to listen and varied, which makes the album a fun listen, particularly for the Death Metal genre. There is a science fiction vibe tied in with the song titles and overall atmosphere found here that makes the album quite enjoyable to listen to. The level of song-writing isn’t as polished as some of Carcass’ best material, but it’s still a far cry above a lot of recent Death Metal. The songs are full of energy and well-performed throughout. The vocals present here are growled in an odd manner that gives the album a very unique flavour. Some songs deviate slightly from general vibe here, like 'Serpent Verse', which greatly recalls Nile in its delivery. This band is consistently interesting on "Earth Sick", but there sound starts to wear a bit thin after a few listens.

Regardless, the good moments on the disc make one consistently want to come back to it. The very Carcass reminiscent nature of the band should make them appeal to a wide variety of Death Metal fans as well. This is a great, but not amazing album that is one of the better earlier ones from the genre this year.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 8.5
Originality: 8
Overall: 8.5

Rating: 8.3 out of 10

Review by JD on March 21, 2010.

If pain, degeneracy and viciousness had a soundtrack all of its own... I really think that I have found the band that have brought all of this to life in music. With unrelenting harshness and a near lethal sonic attack that goes beyond the normal of most Death Metal, Colorado based Sinister Creed has seemed to tap into that certain place of the human spirit that makes such wickedness possible.

With a razor sharp edge to their guitars blaring a path out of the speakers, Sinister Creed’s "Divine Lies" begin its blood soaked job. Assaulting your very senses with a battery of spasm inducing beats and pounding bass riffs that rumble forth, the band shows off the complex power of Death Metal played at its ultimate best. Strong, vicious lyrics and almost addictive leads seem to shred your very mind.

Songs like the face peeling attack of ‘Temporary Insanity’ to the seven megaton blast of the album’s title track, Sinister Creed has put out a work of pure blood soaked art that leaves you wanting to hear more and more. Aggressiveness has a way of getting its point across, with a point blank approach... and this album does.

Straight forward and very heavy music is what the band gives. If you don’t want that, and need something along the lines of EMO shit, go else where. This is powerful metal for the truest of metallers. The squeamish should not listen to this album for they are at risk of having their brains liquified, and having their bowels explode.

Categorical Rating Breakdown　

Musicianship:8.5
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 9
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 8.5

Rating: 8.7 out of 10

Review by JD on March 21, 2010.

If pain, degeneracy and viciousness had a soundtrack all of its own... I really think that I have found the band that have brought all of this to life in music. With unrelenting harshness and a near lethal sonic attack that goes beyond the normal of most Death Metal, Colorado based Sinister Creed has seemed to tap into that certain place of the human spirit that makes such wickedness possible.

With a razor sharp edge to their guitars blaring a path out of the speakers, Sinister Creed’s "Divine Lies" begin its blood soaked job. Assaulting your very senses with a battery of spasm inducing beats and pounding bass riffs that rumble forth, the band shows off the complex power of Death Metal played at its ultimate best. Strong, vicious lyrics and almost addictive leads seem to shred your very mind.

Songs like the face peeling attack of ‘Temporary Insanity’ to the seven megaton blast of the album’s title track, Sinister Creed has put out a work of pure blood soaked art that leaves you wanting to hear more and more. Aggressiveness has a way of getting its point across, with a point blank approach... and this album does.

Straight forward and very heavy music is what the band gives. If you don’t want that, and need something along the lines of EMO shit, go else where. This is powerful metal for the truest of metallers. The squeamish should not listen to this album for they are at risk of having their brains liquified, and having their bowels explode.

Categorical Rating Breakdown　

Musicianship:8.5
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 9
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 8.5

Rating: 8.7 out of 10