Sister – Disguised Vultures (Metal Blade)
Tuesday, 18th February 2014
Ever the disconnect with Primordial/Twilight of the Gods vocalist Alan Averill serving as talent scout and getting this sleazy Swedish bunch signed to Metal Blade. Who would have thunk? But it happened, with the poetic Irishman bringing this rock/metal/punk hybrid to the attention of the MB brass, who released the band’s Hated album in 2011. Frankly, there’s nothing wrong with including these dudes in the Metal Blade mix – there’s some quality cocaine-laced, Crue-like happenings a-plenty on their second album, Disguised Vultures.
The Alexi Laiho vocal comparisons with singer Jamie are going to be constant and just – there are quite a few similarities, which is funny considering Laiho’s vocals are far and away the worst thing about Bodom. Nevertheless, Jamie is far more formidable and prominent (probably because he has less to compete with in the guitar department), loading up with hearty chorus choices (“Sick,” and “Naked” come to mind first), and some slick gang shouts on the title track. Even with the Finnish vocal inferences in tow, these songs are back alley-ready, laced with some punk vigor, like on “Arise” or “(Stop the) Revolution,” the latter of which has quite a bit of metallic clank.
Best suited for the Sister Sin, Crucified Barbara, or even the late 80’s gang who got down with Faster Pussycat, Bang Tango, and the like, Sister have staked out their own piece of punk/metal land with Disguised Vultures. And really, we can talk up how dirty and raunchy this thing is, but it wouldn’t be worth a salt if it wasn’t competently played out…which it totally is.
