Sinergy - Suicide By My Side


Year of Release: 2002
Label: Nuclear Blast
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 38:08:00

A rather disgusting spit turns into an action packed metal album in the form of Sinergy's third disc Suicide By My Side.

Sinergy now features a veritable "who's who?" of Finnish metal. On guitars, one Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom) and Roope Latvala (ex-Waltari). Together, these two guys give a totally convincing performance that in many respects outstrips the remaining members of the band including vocalist Kimberley Goss (ex-Therion, Dimmu Borgir, Ancient). Joining them is Tarot vocalist/bassist Marco Hietala and Tommi Lillman on drums (To/Die/For). The Finns certainly know how to put together a monumental line-up.

Will you like it? That depends. If you enjoyed their previous releases, then this will give you another bout of heavy metal antagonism. Whilst there was a transformation from their debut Beware The Heavens to To Hell And Back, Suicide By My Side has more in common with their sophomore release and once more it shows the bands aggressive instincts. Alexi, bless his evil heart, even manages to do some vocals on the track "Shadow Island" - any fan of COB will enjoy this mix that includes Kim doing some more operatic movements whilst also matching Alexi's aggression. The band also continue with the Fourth World theme, this time with "Passage To The Fourth World" and the album finishes off with a basic piano piece that does nothing for the album just because it is so out of place and too short.

All throughout this CD all I can think of is the outstanding musicianship that in many ways drowns out Kim's vocals. Each musician, except for Alexi, is playing out of style, so it's great to see Roope, Tommi, and Marco going berserk. Solos are intensely charismatic - as I said, musically this is outstanding. This is a quality musical release that won't be to everyone's liking due, in part, to Kim's vocals. They are not the clean style that is, in many ways, in favour at the moment, and they are heavy and aggressive with only minor touches of cleanliness. This is dirty heavy metal that is strong, melodic, and powerful and instantly recognisable for those who listened to their last album.

Suicide By My Side is more than above average but it all comes down to taste. Subsequent listens (for me) has given this increased appreciation and it is a great disc to listen in the background or up LOUD.

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]


Tracklisting:
I Spit On Your Grave / The Sin Trade / Violated / Me, Myself, My Enemy / Written In Stone / Nowhere For No One / Passage To The Fourth World / Shadow Island / Suicide By My Side / Remembrance

Musicians:
Alexi Laiho - guitars
Roope Latvali - guitars
Kimberley Goss - vocals
Marco Hietala - vocals, bass
Tommi Lillman - drums

Discography:
Beware The Heavens (1999)
To Hell And Back (2000)
Suicide By My Side (2002)

Genre: Black-Death Metal

Origin FI

Added: February 20th 2005
Reviewer: Gary Carson
Score:
Artist website:
Hits: 1906
Language: english

  

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