I clearly remember the first time I saw Sindulgence live. It was my
first metal gig at the infamous Cape
Town venue ROAR; the gig was organised by members of
Sindulgence under the banner ‘Fresh Blood’.
I remember being quite impressed by the band; they had a distinct
approach to death metal. Numerous Sindulgence gigs later, and I am still
impressed. The debut album (which also comes with a DVD) from this hardworking
band has left me impressed as well.
Room 302 is a mysterious
opening track. It begins with cheerful piano and violin, which then take on
ominous undertones. It then flows into the pounding intro of Swindle, with its earworm riffs.
Bassist/vocalist Byron Dinwoodie has a unique growl that contrasts with the
guttural growls of vocalist Muller Van Niekerk, who also switches to black
metal rasps from time to time. Dinwoodie produces clear clean vocals as well;
having three different vocal styles could potentially sound schizophrenic, but
here it works very well and adds interest to this track and others. Dinwoodie’s
clean vocals shine particularly on Silly
Dream and Pale Gardens.
Swindle gives the first
taste of the contrasting guitar work which appears on this album. The higher
notes of the leads weave deftly between the heavy rhythm parts. Guitarists Ryan
Eberlin switch between lead and rhythm on the album; both do very well in
either role, since the lead and rhythm parts are top quality on each song.
There are brilliant solos and riffs throughout, with the tracks Thorns, The March Hare, Silly Dream,
Wine Of the Gods and Pale Gardens being guitar highlights
for me.
Michael Snyman does a superb job behind the drum kit, with his drum work
that easily switches between pounding heaviness and delicate, softer passages.
The drum work is varied and intricate, taking on everything from the onslaught
of Thorns to the jazz like opening
fills on Silly Dream. I daresay that
in years to come, Snyman could become one of Cape Town’s prominent metal drummers.
The DVD that comes with the album is an often-funny account of the
process of making Recollections. It
gives a very good idea of what it’s like to be in Sindulgence. It would be interesting
to get to know more South African metal bands through behind-the-scenes
documentaries.
The production is more what I would expect from a live album, as opposed
to a studio one. The band did intend to have a live feel, so this is a minor
gripe, and it doesn’t take away from an album that is, in my opinion, one of
the best African metal releases this year.
Recollections is a distinctive
and progressive take on death metal, with interesting songwriting and lyrics. Their
incorporation of different musical styles is cohesive, and they switch deftly
between worlds of reality and fantasy.
Personnel: Muller Van Niekerk – vocals
Byron Dinwoodie –
bass and vocals
Ryan Eberlin –
guitars
Rodney Dosson –
guitars
Michael Snyman –
drums
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