Sinira from Texas has released a remarkable debut with “The Everlorn”. It sounds like a rediscovered jewel from the golden age of Swedish melodic black metal. From the very first note, a cold, mournful wind blows through the grooves. It is a tribute to glorious times. Back then, bands like Dissection, Sacramentum or Unanimated blurred the line between icy heaviness and sublime melody.
The very first track “Where Starlight Does Not Shine” dives deep into this dark romanticism. One inevitably associates this with Dissection’s “Storm of the Light’s Bane”. The guitar work takes center stage. It offers majestic harmonies, trembling melodies and bittersweet chord sequences. These are directly reminiscent of Vinterland’s “Welcome My Last Chapter”. Despite these clear influences, Sinira is no mere imitator. Rather, “The Everlorn” bows stylishly to its Nordic role models. At the same time, it does not get lost in mere nostalgia.
The epic song structure, which is reminiscent of Dawn’s “Slaughtersun”, is particularly clear. Long, evolving compositions lead the listener through melancholic, icy soundscapes. An almost trance-like atmosphere unfolds, similar to the early works of Naglfar. However, their tendency towards more aggressive production is missing. Instead, the raw but clear sound aesthetic emphasizes the emotional depth. It underlines the introspective quality of the music.
Fans of Sacramentum’s “Far Away from the Sun” will also get their money’s worth here. This is especially true for songs like “Gardens of Pestilence” or the title track “The Everlorn”. They exhibit a similar mixture of despair, sublimity and melody. The production is deliberately natural, without excessive studio gloss. This gives the album an authentic and timeless aura.
“The Everlorn” is a triumph for all those who adore the melodic black metal of the 90s. Sinira accomplishes the feat of transporting the spirit of bands like Dissection, Unanimated and Dawn into the present. At the same time, the band does not fall into pure retro mania. It is an album that not only pays respect, but also inspires. It is sad, sublime and sincere in its dedication to a bygone but never forgotten era of black metal.