I understand that the later output is where this band truly picked up their signature sound and produced hit after hit, but this debut warrants some attention. It stands as the ugly duckling of the catalog. While albums like Chaotic Beauty and A Virgin And A Whore bring out the intricacy, Sinner’s Serenade is much more dirty, mean, and unpolished.
The production isn’t that bad, as all the instruments are audible enough and clear (especially the drums) Wait, that’s because the drums are programmed! Noooo! The guitars sound rather downtuned, but no buzzsaw or shredded-cheese echo is present. The album is built more around the riffs that are gruff and tough, definitely bringing that thrash edge into effect. You’ll headbang to what'll remind you of early In Flames and Dark Tranquillity, if those kinds of bands are your thing. In fact, Kalmah, this band’s cousin, found themselves replicating this sound on The Black Waltz. The riffs are tremolo, epic, and straightforward. The first four tracks (sans the Dimmu Borgir-like intro “Dawn”) are guilty of this on all charges.
There are times where they will use some keyboard backdrop or effect, but it isn’t extensively used as it is on future albums. No solos (not even by the guitars) or background rhythm parts, but just those instances that make a song that much more epic (title track, per se?) The vocals, damn, they’re deep but clear. They’re more like a raspy growl, rather than a death-like one. In that respect, they’re underachieving and definitely not the standout aspect. You can enjoy them, but Altti improved greatly on the material after this. I can’t really hear much from the bass either, as it’s pretty background stuff. Again, this would be improved vastly on later recordings, especially considering that they used the same recording technology on their demo before this.
No track really truly outshines another here by riffs alone, but it’s those small instances of keyboard or acoustic back up that keeps you remembering what this album has in store. Thus, it’s a respectable release, but nothing like the bliss to come. I’d say give this one a listen, but you aren’t missing much if you look the other way either.
Sample: youtube.com/watch?v=GNbRdukr0WM&t=437s
