SINISTERITE: "The Unclean Days"

The international duo of Shatraug (Horna, Sargeist...) from Finland and Nox (Forest Grave) from England seems to be active in many degrees, considering that the two are joined together in the death reeking Uhraus, the space themed atmospheric Foudre Noire, and the filthy old-school Sinisterite which to this date has been the most living of them all, having a couple of demos and full-lengths released, in comparison to the mere one-release state of the other two projects.

The Unclean Days is the band's second album, very close to its predecessor: primitive black / death onslaught with simple power chord riffs and mid-tempo beats wrapped up in a primitive, dusty production - the organic sound has always been one of Sinisterite's strongest features. Shatraug's typical, almost trademark ringing guitar tone is present here while he fires his always ingenious menacing riffage and Nox gnarls his vocals on top. The songs follow a basic pattern usually comprising repeated choruses, and the unsurprising plot of the album might disengage some listeners, so it's very much up to how much one is willing take in some proper old-school violence and darkness. From the first half of the album, the GG Allin cover "Die When You Die" is probably the most noteworthy piece due to its brooding execution in a doom metal fashion. The B side is at its best on "The Night Has Teeth" with its soul-wrenching chords, concluding in mysterious melodies atypical to the band.

If one is to compare The Unclean Days to the 2010's eponymous effort, I would incline towards saying that the debut is a tad better in that it simply consists of the most convincing compositions the band has written and played so far. That is not to undermine this record because I'm still unable to mention any bad tracks here, it is pure crushing hell throughout and I enjoy every second of it. It has the required filthiness and particular kind of charming clumsiness an old-school record should possess, so The Unclean Days is without a doubt worth recommending. But if you are new to the band, I would direct towards the earlier album and after that to this album. Anyhow, both albums are recorded around the same time, so they work together splendidly no matter which way around you approach them.

3.5 / 5