Review by JD on February 9, 2012.

I love ceratin aspects of Prog Metal. And then there are others I totally despise. I love the intense need of having pure talent and hate that sometimes it is so boring and over complicated that I end up deciding that watching my arm hairs grow would be a better option than to listen to the Prog band I happen to be listening to. That is just how it is for me.

Finland’s Sinfully Yours is a four member Dark Prog Metal band, which plays a style of music that is melancholy with rich lyrics and heavy riffs that have this almost orchestral sort of feel shooting through the album. It seems to move and pulse along with almost a life like animation that is very pleasing to the ear that still satisfies the most picky metalhead with its heavy guitars.

Each of the three tracks on the album is a lyrical masterpiece, and so musically sound, yet the vocals of Benjamin Varonen stop the good vibes cold. Remarkable musicianship needs a great set of lungs to make it all come together. The uninspired, underpowered and very mediocre singing of Mr. Varonen kills the mood and knocks Sinfully Yours down for the count. With thin tonality and a inability to have any range whatsoever, the album falters and sinks into a darkening pit.

Getting a new singer with some balls and making sure there is a bigger budget for better production will make Sinfully Yours a band to watch if they decide to do so. As it stands right now, listen to them for the amazing and fresh music and ignore the whine of the ‘muppet’ on vocals. It is sad that it is all ruined by one part of the machine that does not belong in it - but like all machinery, it can be improved and maximised for optimal usage. God, I hope they do just that.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8.5
Atmosphere: 5 (vocals kill this rating)
Production: 6
Originality: 7
Overall: 8

Rating: 6.9 out of 10

Review by Adam M on March 9, 2017.

Beheaded perform a ferocious take on death metal.  There is a bludgeoning approach that reflects the best of Behemoth, such as their Evangelion album. 

This is a workmanlike approach to death metal and it is reflected in the pummeling riffs of the band.  In terms of performances, the guitars have a powerful nature and the backup drumming is stylish and similar to Behemoth.  All in all, this band plays a style to a very high level and is very effective at portraying this style.  However, there is an empty feeling when comparing the band directly to Behemoth’s best material.  They don’t match the best of that band, but do a good job emulating them.  Beheaded feels like a backup band to them, but this is still a really good album of the style.  The guitars are memorable in a buzz-saw like fashion.  One will become entranced in the heaviness and power that the album holds.  It is simply a fiery beast of a work that will win over even the most lackadaisical of listeners.  The monstrous nature of the album permeates everything and makes for a strong work.  When compared directly to the band they idolize, these guys do fall a bit short of the best of that band.   Riffs will pummel you over the head, but don’t completely rule over all like the best of Behemoth. 

Instead, there is a mid-paced medium that is reached where the band play within their own niche, but don’t overtake the masters.  There are many strong moments, but the final track Punishments From the Grave stands out as perhaps the best one, with a strong solo and bridge section that shines through towards the end.  It’s a nice way to close off a solid album in Beast Incarnate, that has strong death metal currents running through it.  

Rating: 7.6 out of 10