The Netherlands may not have a scene as prolific as the mighty Swedes or the Americans, but the bands that were around in the early nineties offered some really good death metal whether it was from Asphyx, Pestilence, Creepmime or Gorefest, there was always a guarantee of quality from their releases and Sinister's sophomore record "Diabolical Summoning" is no exception. While the band's first full-length "Cross the Styx" showed a lot of talent and potential for the young band, their second album would really identify the band as a serious group in the death metal underground. The sound is tighter and the music is much more memorable all around from the riffs to the solos to the skull splitting vocals, drums and everything else, this record just kicks all kinds of ass from the start.
The track "Sadistic Intent" wastes no time in battering the listener with an awesome transitioning between the thumping bass line and heavy riffage, before turning into one hell of a moshing track full of midpaced mayhem and death metal tremolos laced with intense drumming. The best aspect of Sinister's music on "Diabolical Summoning" would definitely be their ability to create music that is heavy and brutal without overdoing it and sounding like a Cannibal Corpse or Suffocation clone, but rather a more extreme version of Malevolent Creation, especially during the song "Magnified Wrath" which comes complete with palm-muted powerchords that crush oh so similarly to songs from the masterpiece that is "Retribution." This record doesn't depend on being evil to get its point across and aside from the intro to "Leviathan," there is never a need for any melody to set a tone or create an atmosphere, only violent and repulsive riffs are needed for this and tracks like the title track and "Mystical Illusions" are perfect for the occasion.
Mastrigt's vocals aren't anything too amazing or worth bragging about, but they do their job well and compliment the insane music, not leaving anything more to be desired. There are a couple instances where the bass makes its presence felt ("Sadistic Intent" and "Leviathan") but overall nothing worth a lot of praise. The drumming on this record, however, is superb and consistent throughout, whether it's because of the thunderous double bass pedals that push the tempo well beyond fast or because of the added heaviness of the adequate fills. When all is said and done, "Diabolical Summoning" doesn't surpass albums like "Last One On Earth" or "Consuming Impulse," but it does find itself comfortably resting among the country's best death metal outputs in the twentieth century, and is definitely worth checking out for any fan of heavy music.
Highlights
"Sadistic Intent"
"Magnified Wrath"
"Leviathan"
Final Rating
Awesome [8.6/10]
