22nd May 2025

Review: “Sinister Seduction” by Krematorium

““Sinister Seduction” is our second full-length album. It contains eight tracks in which we tried to deliver an old-school vibe, incorporating 80’s thrash metal and NWOTHM. Both of these genres were our driving forces while writing and recording this album. The approach we took when we wrote lyrics was quite different than songwriting on our previous releases.

We didn’t want to release another war and anti religious themed album. Instead, we opted for writing about themes which are more familiar to us. Our inspiration came from movies, people and events surrounding us.

Musically speaking, this album has way more traditional heavy metal influences than his predecessor “Body Bags”. At the same time, there’s no lack of speed and explosiveness. ‘Sinister Seduction’ has everything we like – from headbanging mid-tempo tracks and heavy metal melodies to fast-paced songs with harsh screaming vocals. We can’t wait to share it with you!” ~ Krematorium

Seven years and seven deadly sins after their last taped confession in 2018 EP “Altar Of Lies“, the return of Rijeka, Croatia based Thrash crew Krematorium has been both long awaited and highly anticipated. Mixed and mastered by Matej Zec (The Black Room, Ashes You Leave) at G.I.S. Studio and adorned by artwork from Hrvoje Silić (Diamond Dust, Po’ Metra Crijeva) the album represents a new dawn for the five piece with a refreshed and rejuvenated new line up. Joining original guitarist Erik Perušić and vocalist Domagoj Fišeković in 2019 were bassist Zdenko Debić (Proklet, Zimorog, ex-League of Frost), drummer Dorian Perušić (Speedclaw, ex-Voloh, Krešo i Kisele Kiše) before second six stringer Sebastijan Živković in 2021…

The classic 80’s adrenalized Thrash sound with Traditional Heavy Metal roots is indeed that Krematorium offer up with the whirlwind that is opening cut “Stonehearst Asylum“. Flavours of early Metallica, Motorhead and Judas Priest are found within the black beating heart of this beast of an old school tune, Fišeković’s accent giving the track a rustic charm to go with its nostalgia value. The solo is a classic and if it’s not playing on the Juke box at a Biker bar near you then there is something wrong with the world. Curiously “Moonshine Rider” was released as a single 14 months prior to the album, making you wonder just how long the record has been sat collecting dust. If the title didn’t give it away, the track is of similar ilk to the opening cut, the bluesy guitars of the melodic passage in the middle a nice touch. That bursts into flame with an extended flamboyant solo from a Flying V before a return to the chorus, which could be a classic case of misheard lyrics if it wasn’t for the chant being the title of the track. Rattling off the riffs like bursts of machine gun fire “Manhunt” hits the deck like a kamikaze pilot as Fišeković adds a couple of shriller vocal moments that aren’t going to be to everyone’s taste. That being said, the fist in the air of the gang chanted moments and an imperial death march to finish are very nice touches. Familiar riffs give “Go Getter” an instant appeal, the old school sound giving the track a timeless nature with little moments of lead lighting the way. This one is so slick that if it had a bigger name attached to it you wouldn’t bat and eyelid.

The scent of John Bush era Anthrax hangs heavy in the air with “D.F.T.E.” being a cut with more intensity to it, the rampaging riffage and whirlwind of percussive battery in the second half taking hold as the band quench a third for blood. That means that there is no soft centre, no cringe worthy power ballad or anything of that nature here, which is a thing of beauty. Instead a defibrillator jolt to the chest is received in “Scream ‘n’ Shout“, a cut frontloaded with breakneck speed riffage and a guest appearance from Leo Budinski (LIV, Lord Drunkalot, Out of the Void). Restless and relentless the rapid fire approach shows no mercy, the band putting their boot print in the wet concrete as they roar, clearly taking offence to being called freaks when offering to buy a young lady a drink at a bar. There are points during the blistering “Reign of Terror” where you half expect Krematorium to burst into “Master Of Puppets” by Metallica, such is the nature of the beast. However don’t let that fool you because the song has plenty of life in it as a tour de force of the 80’s Thrash Metal sound. Saving the best until last, the post apocalyptic depiction that is “Blackened Sky” adds insult to injury, spitting in your face after kicking you to the ground. A Speed Metal masterclass from the first moment, this one is fuelled by great storytelling and an infectious lyric. There is no need to teach this old dog any new tricks, the ones they have are more than enough to get them where they need to go [7.5/10]

Track Listing