ALBUM REVIEW: Repulsion for Humanity – Sinsaenum

Collaboration is a key aspect in the world of music these days and some projects can prove to be a very interesting prospect indeed. One of these in particular was the announcement in 2016 that Frédéric Leclercq (of DRAGONFORCE fame) was joining forces with the iconic Joey Jordison in what shall be known as SINSAENUM. Also along for the ride are MAYHEM frontman Attila Csihar and DAATH‘s Sean Zatorsky which on paper sounds like a recipe for carnage. The six piece blackened death metal outfit have just released their second effort entitled Repulsion For Humanity via earMUSIC, will this album be as impressive as the sum of its parts?

Opening title track Repulsion For Humanity wastes little time getting you acquainted with their primary motive, to bludgeon you to death with ferocious blast beats and sheer insanity from the starting grid. Giving you minimal opportunity to brace yourself for the impact the intensity is ramped with immediate effect. Chugging riffing is introduced towards the latter stages accompanied by vicious guttural bellowing. MORBID ANGEL would be proud of their experimental, quirky lead work as the track draws to its conclusion. Final Resolve follows suit with doomy groove ridden guitar work alongside bursts of technicality thrown in to keep you on your toes. Abrasive growls add that extra level of ferocity to the mix. Just to add another string to their bow Sworn To Hell throws a curveball by taking a detour down the black metal path with eerie spoken vocals and some frenzied shredding with a dash of intricate sweeping as the song opens a vortex of chaos.

I Stand Alone re-introduces the sludgy, enticing beat with some bass driven verse segments and further chilling spoken word passages. Melodic guitar work weaves its magic in the background adding some atmospheric elements to the arrangement before further mind-boggling guitar wizardry adds an exclamation point on the track. Rise Of The Light Bearer injects some pace as SINSAENUM put their technical death metal hat on with frantic shredding and jarring rhythmic shifts warning the listener to never get too complacent. Manifestation Of Ignorance puts the brakes on the simmering tempo with some slow but hammering drums and doom soaked riffing. Demonic growls sent from the inner circle of hell send shivers down your spine and just as you settle yourself into the vibe of the track it accelerates with reckless abandon head, first into flurries of blast beats and rapid riff work.

Pulsing drum beats and a SOULFLY-esque tribal vibe are brought to the party as the infectious grooves of Sacred Martyr take hold. You may be sensing a slight pattern here but slick lead work elevates the track with solo’s aplenty. My Swan Song commences with evil sounding riffing and an infectious pace as drifting winds float through the background summoning the return of the black metal influenced tinged guitar work. Midway the track suddenly halts with an ominous drum beat before resurfacing with a sudden blast of raw intensity signalling for the listener to strap on their crash helmet for the incoming assault.

The unsettling spoken word excerpt of Nuit Noire comes swiftly into focus escorted by intense death metal barrages. Crazy drumming and manic tapping segments build the tempo before a maniacal growl rounds off the track. Insects surrounds you in technical riffing from the offset before progressively descending into pure madness, almost like a ritualistic summoning of demonic beasts. The ominous intro of Forsaken makes its presence felt with chilling piano notes and a ticking clock setting an orchestral type vibe before bursting into doom soaked riffing like its signalling the end of days. Devilish growls arise from the depths as black metal elements run through the core of the track. Considering this effort is extensively longer than the majority of the accompanying tracks it flows brilliantly and doesn’t lose it’s potency. Forsaken is full of twists, turns and intricacies to maintain your focus and leaves Repulsion For Humanity on a satisfying note.

There has been many a ‘supergroup’ come and go throughout the years but SINSAENUM feel like a band who have been a collective unit forever. Their addictive blend of groove ridden death metal and captivating black metal elements set them apart from the pack. Repulsion For Humanity is visceral, energetic and packed full of crazy lead work which will make your jaw drop to the floor. It will be very intriguing to see where the next couple of years take SINSAENUM, with any luck they have a very fruitful future ahead of them.

Rating: 9/10

Repulsion For Humanity is out now via earMUSIC.

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