With a supergroup, you generally expect quality. Have a few examples: Cream, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, The Plastic Ono Band. All of these are bands that deliver those expectations of quality, and with good reason. All the members were proven musicians and were all proficient at what they did. As far as I’m concerned, Sinergy live up to this standard as well.
Consisting members of Dimmu Borgir, Children of Bodom and Nightwish, Sinergy certainly fill the criteria for a supergroup. Kimberley Goss, who formerly played keyboards for Dimmu Borgir had a desire to present a ‘balls-out female-fronted metal band’, if that makes any sense to you. She remains the only original member, along with Alexi Laiho, of Children of Bodom fame.
Alexi Laiho and Roope Latvala live up to the standards they set themselves in Children of Bodom almost immediately on the opener,
I Spit On Your Grave, unleashing an awesomely powerful riff fest (after the obligatory sounds of phlegm obviously). Goss also shows off her own powerful vocals pretty soon too. It makes for good listening, hearing the guitars and vocals conflict with each other to win over your ears.
Goss’ vocals are pretty unique. They have this gritty yet compelling quality. She manages to employ aggression but doesn’t lose any of her melodic side. An excellent example of this would have to be the balladesque
Written In Stone. She is not to be confused with Angela Gossow of Arch Enemy. Uniqueness should be a plus in anyone’s book, and good female vocals are definitely a plus in my book,and she deserves extra points for being unique when most Power Metal bands employ men that could easily be confused with women.
As with much Power Metal, the bass lines are generally completely overshadowed by the leads. What you are able to hear though, is good. It complements the leads very finely and keeps the rhythm very well. The drums also deserve a mention in that respect. Tommi Lillman does a very accomplished job behind the skins, with interesting patterns and good fills every now and then.
But of course, the focus must come back to the guitars. Alexi Laiho and Roope Latvala both pull off an outstanding job, most notably on the aforementioned
I Spit On Your Grave. Every song on the album holds good riffs and leads everywhere. There is not one faulty guitar track anywhere to be found on this album. Any song would be good to showcase their skills.
However, despite all these encouraging aspects, there is bound to be a bad point somewhere. This album is just too short. Not including the final track
Remembrance which is more of an epilogue track, this album only clocks in at 36 minutes. Nevertheless that is to be expected with the amounts of speed and general excellence to be found here. This album is for anyone that enjoys metal, it really is one hot piece of music that just happens to be immensely enjoyable to listen to.
4/5
Recommended Tracks
I Spit On Your Grave
Violated
Me, Myself, My Enemy
