The comparisons between the two bands are valid to an extent, as Sinkadus sounds like a caricature of Anglagard. The flute, mellotron, organ, and guitar work are pretty much all dead ringers for Anglagard (save for typically being less proficient), and the presence of Lena Pettersson's cello does little to create a distinctive sound. I can think of about a half-dozen jokes that I could use to hammer this point home, and most of them contain the word "Xerox". But I'll behave myself.

A derivative sound is far from being Sinkadus's worst failing, however. That distinct honor would have to go to the band's lack of compositional ability. The typical Sinkadus song (at least on this album) features the band endlessly repeating patterns with little modulation until the repetition becomes too much to bear. At that point, the band moves to a new pattern, and the cycle of pain begins again. While repetition can be a useful tool in creating a sense of drama, there are no such compelling effects to be found here. After repeated listening, the distinction between Anglagard and Sinkadus becomes crystal clear: where Anglagard is interesting and dynamic, Sinkadus is predictable and flat. Where Anglagard introduces new and captivating thematic material, Sinkadus continues to endlessly repeat the theme they're currently hooked on.

I can't say that I hate this album, because there are a number of parts that seem quite good. However, the band's insistence at running those parts into the ground really hampers my enjoyment. The biggest crime I would accuse Sinkadus of is wasted potential. I have a feeling that these guys and gals *could* be good, but they just don't know how to turn some good ideas into a full song. Some listeners may not mind the repetition, but I would hight suggest hearing them before you buy.