UMUR "The Sinister Supremacy" is the 6th full-length studio album by Swedish thrash metal act Darkane. The album was released through Massacre Records in Europe and Prosthetic Records in the US in June/July 2013. "The Sinister Supremacy" sees the return of the band´s original lead vocalist in Lawrence Mackrory (Soilwork frontman Björn "Speed" Strid was shortly the lead vocalist in Darkane before Lawrence Mackrory, but he never recorded with the band) who has replaced Jens Broman. The latter only lasted for the recording of the "Demonic Art (2008)" album. Lawrence Mackrory only sang on the band´s debut full-length studio album "Rusted Angel (1999)" and was then replaced by Andreas Sydow who was the band´s singer on the next three studio albums.

Despite the changes on the lead vocalist position, the band have remained remarkably consistent in style through the years, which is probably due to them having a stabile lineup since their formation other than the changes on the lead vocalist spot. They´ve always played technically well played and powerful thrash metal with a few nods toward death metal (mostly early on) and continue to do so on "The Sinister Supremacy". To my ears the return of Lawrence Mackrory is a good thing as he is both a powerful and varied vocalist. His vocal style ranges from raw and aggressive death/thrash type vocals to more rough yet melodic tinged singing typically in the rather anthemic choruses (slightly James Hetfield inspired but I´m also reminded of Trivium although this is a bit more raw) and to top it off some higher pitched sneering vocals. All in all this is a rather impressive vocal performance by Lawrence Mackrory.

The music is a mix of traditional aggressive Slayer influenced riffing and more contemporary influences. Acts like The Haunted, Hatesphere and Dew-Scented are to some degree valid references. The band are incredibly well playing (the drumming by Peter Wildoer is varied and precise, the riffs are diverse and powerful and the blazing melodic soloing are the icing on the cake) and "The Sinister Supremacy" is very well produced too. I´ve sometimes been a bit harsh in my criticism of earlier releases by Darkane for featuring too many unremarkable tracks, but this time around they´ve created a both powerful and memorable release. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.