Band:	Howling Syn
Album:	Devilries
Style:	Gothic metal
Release date:	June 13, 2004
A review by:	Undercraft

01. Carnivorous Lunar Activities
02. I Am The Night
03. Walk The Walk
04. Eden-Sweet Devilry
05. Bleed In Silence
06. Shameless, I Breathe
07. Our Sweet Oblivion
08. The Man Without Soul
09. Ghost From The Past
10. Samhain (The Night He Came Home)
11. Farewell To Eternal Life

No devil involved here?

I was quite surprised a couple of years ago when I heard Howling Syn's debut album "Forbearers Of Dusk" it was top notch Gothic Metal with female vocals, growls, clear vocals and the best element: medieval influences on the music.

When I found out that Howling Syn had a new album out I thought it would be a masterpiece, I really did, but sadly I only encountered disappointment.
I'm not saying that the album sucks balls or anything, but I could have been a lot better. A lot. They took out the best elements of the band and replaced with rather cliché arrangements and trademarks.

First of all, the medieval elements that gave the differential advantage to the band are gone. Second, the growls have been reduced to almost inexistent, and third, the production leaves much to desire.

These three downpoints damage the album incredibly, and if you take the fact that the vocals (male and female) aren't THAT good, you might want to skip this album immediately.
If you want to give this album a try, do it, is not a complete waste of time, but don't expect nothing spectacular here, just mediocre Gothic Metal with no real hooks or overall appeal (not even the artwork is good).

As a side note, I read that the word Devilry means "Action performed with the help of the devil" well, I don't think the devil had anything to do with this record, usually the devil makes great records!

The band needs to walk a few steps back and rethink their music. They need to explore more what made "Forbearers Of Dusk" great and improve that sound.
This album might be a bad choice on Howling Syn's career, but is not over yet, I'm still hoping for a worthy follower to their debut record, until then I'll forget all about this Cd.