What we got here is one of this metalhead's favourite albums. I bought it back in 1993 when visiting London with a good friend (who also coded this website, by the way). These thing do not make it a fave of mine, no. The main reason for that is that this third Cancer full-lengther simply is such a fantastic album music-wise, but one reason is that I didn't hear the previous album, 1991s 'Death Shall Rise', prior this.

'The Sins of Mankind' continues in almost similar style, but without the lead guitar presence of James Murphy (this US guitarist had by in Death and Obituary before his stint in Cancer; he pursued his own vision with Disincarnate after Cancer). Cancer's trajectory is somewhat similar to Death's: Both bands got quite a bit more technical, step by step, with each early album. So, 'The Sins...' ain't just about hack 'n' slash, and it's okay, since it was done to death before. Do not get me wrong, I'm very much fine with more simplistic stuff, and this really isn't too far from earlier primitiveness, which actually isn't very total in Cancer's case, like 3 chord and 2 beats songs. No, the band was pretty mature already on their debut album. But back to sinning now...

This album didn't get me immediately. Really, there was no that London trip magic flowing in the air when I got home and was able to really blast it loud; this and the trip did not get mingled in my brain. Cancer was one of more barbaric bands I'd heard up to 1993, and they still nailed it here, but there was evident step toward maturity, in songwriting and lyrical topics. Was that a good step? Well, my brain eventually, back in mid-1990s after the subsequent album was out, cemented this as my favourite Cancer album...

...And it is a real goddamn riff-fest! Many of the songs feature more parts than older material. And the riffs are from good to superb, and totally hooking. One'll hear intense sawing, hummable slower riffing and nimble-fingered acrobatics. This time around the lead guitars were provided by Barry Savage. He and the original member, guitarist/vocalist John Walker, handle lead parts which vary from memorable and melodic to warped and weird (probably more in vein of Pestilence's fantastic 'Testimony of the Ancients' [1991] than anything else). Acoustic guitar and synthesizer intros and interludes had became a quintessential element of death metal albums, and brought in some eerie acoustic guitar work for the title track, as well as a beautiful intro piece 'Pasture of Delights', but no synthesizers.

Thankfully tempo changes, style shifts and all sound very fluid, but it got some time to get used to more morphous compositions; they definitely aren't most predictable, and still they work very, very well, without breaking a song. That certain Florida vibe was gone (no Morrisound nor Mr. Murphy anymore). The band getting back home and getting back to fish 'n' chips diet proved to be a correct choice. Drummer Carl Stokes really brushed up for this album, proving rather characteristic rolls, and tempos from frenzied blasting to double kick drum mangling, and loads more to bang your fists to.

Yes, them vocals, then. Not unlike Carcass' Jeff Walker, if not that raspy, growl is utilised. It also reminds of Benediction's Dave Ingram, even though isn't that deep. It is another characteristic of Cancer. It's easy to comprehend the words. The lyrics deal with gore, demons, warring and other social issues, being surprisingly mature at times. Painting titled 'Armageddon' by Joseph Paul Pettit perfectly fits in...

Generally, the album has enough variety and simply powerful demeanor all way through. It is filled with explosive energy. Get ready for a motherload of riffs and beats!

The Simon Efemey production made the album sound more thrash metal, in a way, even though it is still death fucking metal, period! The sound spectrum is more wide than it previously was. It feels like the band were able to breathe better. This does not mean this lacks of grittiness; no, the guitars are lethal with their sharp tone, the bass (by Ian Buchanan) is thumping and easy to hear, and the drums are snappy and commanding. The clear production allows details to be heard. I have the original CD, and haven't heard the vinyl edition of the album, and the CD sound like more bass would have been welcome, to tell the truth.

Two years later in 1995, weird turn happened... and basically killed the band almost for a decade. The band's major label debut 'Black Faith' came out and was very different compared to what everybody was used to hear from Cancer. But more on that later...

In final note I can recommend this album to fans of early death metal, and especially those who enjoy English essence of it. Generally, Cancer sound like English death metal of late 1980s / early 1990s, but Cancer sound like Cancer, too; there was no oversupply back in the day, plus pioneering bands had more spectrum to play on. An awesome, eternal classic!!!

Rating: 10 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
09/22/2019 20:12