Cardinal Sin
Spiteful Intents

THE REVIEW

When talking about Dissection, one immediately thinks of the more than ambiguous figure of singer and guitarist Jon Nödtveidt, forgetting about the other musicians who contributed to creating magnificent albums like "The Somberlain" and "Storm of the Light's Bane." In particular, one never remembers John Zwetsloot. He joined the band as a second guitarist in 1991 and helped create the melodic style for which the band is famous, thanks to his knowledge of music theory and classical music. In fact, besides being the co-author of many songs on the debut album (and of "Night's Blood" and "Retribution - Storm of the Light's Bane" on the next one), he composed the three instrumental classical guitar interludes "Crimson Towers," "Into Infinite Obscurity," and "Feathers Fell."

In 1994, however, he was kicked out of the group and replaced by Johan Norman because he often didn't show up for rehearsals and skipped some concerts, which, due to his absence, were canceled. After about a year spent playing as a session musician, he decided to form his own group, recruiting various figures from the local black scene; thus, the Cardinal Sin was born.

The group's debut recording is an EP titled "Spiteful Intents," recorded by Zwetsloot, who handles rhythm guitar and bass, alongside Magnus "Devo" Andersson (lead guitar) and Jocke "Af Gravf" Göthberg (drums and vocals), both from Marduk, even though the complete lineup of the band also includes two other members, Alex Losbäck Holstad and Dan-Ola Persson, for those who really want to know, as can be seen from the cover photo where everyone strikes a tough metal pose, strangely without corpse paint.

The style presented obviously recalls that of Dissection, which is that perfect blend of black and melodic death that many have tried to reproduce without ever truly succeeding, presented here with a vague thrash aftertaste in some passages and a lesser sense of solemnity; therefore, this EP is more than recommended for those who would have wanted a worthy successor to "Storm of the Light's Bane."

If you think that subsequently Zwetsloot became the Mustaine of Swedish black/death, you're wrong, in fact, although Cardinal Sin never officially disbanded, the group has not released anything after "Spiteful Intents." Maybe John Zwetsloot just didn't really have that great desire to play...