ALBUM REVIEW: Vortexx – Siniestro

The unique backstory of SINIESTRO is as interesting as their expansive black metal punch. Vocalist/guitarist Commander hails from the icy cold planes of North Sweden, while drummer The Machine calls the simmering grounds of Chile home. Disparate as their native lands might be: the duo are each other’s ideal musical foil. While it’s always been a challenge to nail the two down to a specific area of modern metal; Vortexx is their broadest, boldest offering yet.

Their amalgamation of thrashing, atmospheric black metal meets 70’s punk is jarring on paper; but Vortexx comes in with a wide arsenal. Despite its production often working against itself, this is a record with charisma coursing through its veins. The intricacy of the flamenco plucked instrumental Hiisi sits in stark contrast to the low tuned swing of its predecessor Black Acid. Both are equally crowded with personality though, and when Commander grabs hold of his solo on the latter: you’re transported back to the peak of 80’s metal.

As charming as raw, rustic production can be – Vortexx has a habit of getting in its own way. The unbalanced mix on its title track, Blod Eld Did, and One Last Bullet One Last Ride feel detrimental to SINIESTRO‘s usually tight knit sound. It’s a shame, too, they each individually bring their own flavour to the table. From gut punching thrash to anthemic, melodic metal – it’s almost criminal the post-studio job has yanked the carpet from beneath SINIESTRO‘s feet.

Oddly, the second half of Vortexx suffers much less. Escape By Death’s stomping guitar lines are crystal clear, while Buried In The Bog’s technical metal jabs never miss their mark. Anti Human Commando is SINIESTRO‘s magnum opus though. In its ten minute run, you’re faced with almost every sub-genre imaginable. There’s the dark atmospherics of black metal, the blast beat force of thrash, and the guitar wizardry of DRAGONFORCE. It’s a lot to take in. But such is the depth, and variety of its traversal, you’ll feel forced to go back and pick out the intricacies.

If you can look past the loose production that hauls down its opening 20 minutes; Vortexx is a borderline unmissable black metal record. Its refusal to tread one path is its constantly prominent redeeming factor. And when its second half finally brings everything together: it more than makes up for its wrongdoings. At it’s best – you’ll struggle to find many better black metal offerings this year.

Rating: 7/10

Vortexx is out now via Black Lodge Records.

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