Metalized Magazine

Translation of the Danish original:

Sanity - The Beast (Independent)
5/10

German Sanity is starting to stir again after having been on hiatus—or locked away in the fairy tale castle—for a number of years. Last year, the EP Revelation was released, which this year is followed up by The Beast, featuring four new tracks within the realm of melodic and semi-symphonic black metal. There are synth layers, a heroic mood, and at its peak, singing from Felix Albe, which in its best moments comes close to Jørgen Klubien from Dance Orchestra without appearing mechanical in a direct comparison. But there are also roaring guitars, growls, and bass, which push forward like a roaring river. Sanity is clearly fond of names such as Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Manowar, and Powerwolf, and there are several fine passages on the EP's four tracks. Sometimes they manage to capture the mood, and when they do, it works really well. But other times, the sound feels a bit thin and cheap, like the musical castle on the cliff is revealed as a Potemkin village.

The four tracks are well composed individually, but they resemble each other too much, which is also a weakness. If Sanity had waited, written a few more songs and some small atmospheric vignettes to tie the glory together, and then released a full album, it would likely have worked better.