Sister: Disguised Vultures

Swedish sleazehounds up their game on album number two

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While their 2011 full-length debut, Hated, earned a few critical nods with its sneering amalgam of power-chord punk and garish Sunset Strip excess, Sweden’s Sister still fell well short of the notoriety they had hoped to achieve. This follow-up, then, sees the band reaffirm their commitment to bruising punk aggression, although rest assured that this is no rehash of Hated.

Bracing fist-pumpers like Sick and the album’s title track reveal a shift towards the sleazier side of things, favouring stickier grooves, smouldering breakdowns and stratospheric fretboard histrionics. Also, frontman Jamie has sharpened his vocals with a piercing black metal wail that he alternates with a traditional rock approach, inviting comparisons to Kvelertak on opener My Enemy and the blazing beatdown of Slay Yourself.

A parking lot punch-up full of throaty gang vocals, scorching riffage and plenty of middle-finger choruses, Disguised Vultures might not break much new ground, but it most certainly marks a broad step closer to Sister’s spot in the mainstream.

Joe Daly

Hailing from San Diego, California, Joe Daly is an award-winning music journalist with over thirty years experience. Since 2010, Joe has been a regular contributor for Metal Hammer, penning cover features, news stories, album reviews and other content. Joe also writes for Classic Rock, Bass Player, Men’s Health and Outburn magazines. He has served as Music Editor for several online outlets and he has been a contributor for SPIN, the BBC and a frequent guest on several podcasts. When he’s not serenading his neighbours with black metal, Joe enjoys playing hockey, beating on his bass and fawning over his dogs.