Band: Sidious (GB) Genre: /Death Metal Label: Kaotoxin Records Albumtitle: Revealed In Profane Splendour Duration: 36:05 Releasedate: 03.11.2014

All who read this name and hope for some kind of Star Wars metal - not at all. Here is classical black metal served. Originally (founded in 2009), the band from London named itself Seed Of Detest. Under this name they released the "Seed" demo until the band, that consists of members of Eyes Of Solitude and drummer Khrudd (Colosus, Clouds, Deos, Vaer and just Eyes Of Solitude among others), changed the name into Sidious in 2012. However if I have a look at the bands in whom Khrudd plays and had played, I get the impression that there exists only one single drummer in the most populated city within Europe (more than eight millions of inhabitants) that is able to play black metal.

For whatever reasons they chose the name Sidious first was a mystery to me. At least at first sight, because I only knew the word Sidious related to Star Wars. Darth Sidious, or imperator Palpatine. But if one has a closer look, the choice of the name is clarified. The english word "insidious" can be described as: act in a subtle and profound way with damaging effects. Darth Sidious in general is described as shifty, thoroughly evil, perfidious and mighty. This is a quite suitable description for what Sidious are delivering with their first .

After this incredibly long introduction I want to come to the gist which is the music. Because this music is pleasant by all means. With the word "classical" I had written above, I mean the kind of black metal that was once established by , Emperor and Dimmu Borger in the middle of the nineties. Even though there is no keyboarder listed within the line-up, the keyboard is used within every song, in the most cases as an intro.

The opener "Sacrilegious Majesty" already shows the whole spectrum of the band. Slowly supporting, symphonically breathed on, or up to the pure uptempo brawl, all of this is included. With an average duration of about five minutes per song it becomes clear that there are no minute lasting orchestral keyboard arrangements offered. Sidious are leaving the black metal from time to time and are working typical death metal riffing into it, just for turning back to black metal a few moments later. In most cases this is done with the help of keyboard sounds, as they were used by Emperor for "In The Nightside Eclipse".

There are no female vocals, everyone has to decide for himself whether this is positive or negative. I myself take the opinion that the deep, slightly screaming singing is sufficient. Although, "Annihilation ov Abhorrent Crescent" and "Obscenity ov Old" come along with clean vocals. Fortunately this is the only trip of the band up to modern black metal.

Conclusion: Well done old school black metal with death metal influences which cuts to the chase clear and fast in spite of the keyboards as well as varied songwriting.

Rating 7/10

Recommendations: Sacrilegious Majesty, Annihilation ov Abhorrent Crescent

Weblink: https://www.facebook.com/sidiousofficial

Metal Only e.V. Wolfgang Steiner Hohenstaufenstr. 56 D-73779 Deizisau [email protected] www.metal-only.de

Lineup:

Baalrath - Bass Indomitus - Guitars Isfeth - Guitars, Vocals Khrudd - Drums

Tracklist:

01. Sacrilegious Majesty 02. Inexorable Revelation 03. Revealed In Profane Splendour 04. Annihilation ov Abhorrent Crescent 05. Obscenity ov Old 06. Infernal Reign 07. O Paragon, Bringer ov Light

Author: Mirco / Translator: Sebbi

Metal Only e.V. Wolfgang Steiner Hohenstaufenstr. 56 D-73779 Deizisau [email protected] www.metal-only.de