Sinister Forces Of Hatred is the second album from Helsinki-based thrash metal ensemble Demonztrator. Formed in 2016 as a covers band, their aim being to revive Finnish speed/thrash metal from the late '80s and '90s. Their first album Forgotten Acts Of Aggression, released in 2017, is a collection of covers and is their love letter to fellow Finns Brainwash, Dementia, Defection and National Napalm Syndicate to name but a few. Soon after this and a string of live appearances they started writing their own material and have presented us with a four-track EP of original material called Myriad Ways Of Dying from 2019 and now we have this full-length album: Sinister Forces Of Hatred.
This is a seriously brutal and accomplished sounding album especially seeing as this is only their second full-length offering. It is absolute annihilation from start to finish in a fantastic way. Ten tracks of glorious thrash ranging from the manic speed of album opener "Murderlust" into the relentless "Proclamation". As you progress through the album to track 5, the superior "Into The Mouth Of Madness", things start to shift musically as they introduce quieter moments and melodic sections, it by no means slows the pace of the song at all as it is still ferocious and at just over six minutes long it is one hell of an epic. After a more classic metal style intermission the album continues on at a determined pace with some songs having rather an anthemic feel to them (for example "Crossing The Rubicon"). The dark rhythmic tones of "Embryonic Evil" bring the album to a triumphant close.
I can honestly say that there is not a weak track within this album. The vocals and musical style are very reminiscent of great bands like Kreator and Sodom for sure -- by no means a bad thing. The artwork is dark and depicts images of a monstrous demonic spectre. The recording and mastering has clarity and power with no instrument over shadowing the other and everything working together. The vocals are strong, intense and guttural cutting through perfectly. Demonztrator embrace their history/heritage and respect their elders, they have worked hard on creating their sound whilst being to true to their values. I have a huge love for all Finnish thrash and Demonztrator have really impressed me, please do check Sinister Forces Of Hatred out on their Bandcamp page or through Ossuary Records.
