Cardinal Sin | Spiteful Intents EP | Regain Records

 

    Cardinal Sin was a short-lived but cult Swedish black/death metal project formed in the mid-1990s. The band is most known for including John Zwetsloot, a founding member and former guitarist of Dissection, as well as Jocke Göthberg and Devo Andersson, both of whom were part of the early classic lineup of Marduk. Active briefly, the band released a promo in 1995 and this lone EP, “Spiteful Intents,” in 1996 before disbanding. Despite its short lifespan, Cardinal Sin captured a very specific moment in Swedish extreme metal, blending fast aggression with melodic and somber guitar work in a way that mirrored the scene’s evolution during the mid-’90s.

Originally released in 1996 on the underground Swedish label Wrong Again Records, “Spiteful Intents” is a rare and cult release that embodies the raw, melodic, and cold black/death metal sound Sweden was known for during that period. The EP was recorded at Berno Studio, a location known for shaping the tones of many Scandinavian acts in the ’90s. With only four tracks on the original version and three bonus tracks added to the 2023 reissue, the total runtime now nears half an hour.

The EP has a cold, fast-paced energy driven by tremolo-picked guitar lines, tight rhythmic shifts, and aggressive vocals. There’s an emphasis on melody but without leaning toward the more polished or modernized style that emerged in later years. Instead, the songs are built on repetition, atmosphere, and tightly woven riff patterns. The guitar leads are distinctive, and the changes in pacing from blastbeats to slower, heavy sections give the EP a strong, consistent rhythm without dragging or losing focus.

The performances feel committed and in-the-moment, with drums and vocals handled by Göthberg, whose vocal tone fits the early black/death hybrid very naturally. Devo Andersson and John Zwetsloot deliver the type of riffing one might expect from artists involved in bands like Marduk and Dissection. The reissue benefits from remastering by Andersson, which gives a bit more presence without modernizing or altering the original spirit. The inclusion of a Death cover, “Infernal Death,” also connects the EP to the band’s broader influences and shows a respectful nod to early death metal roots.

I remember purchasing the first original press edition of “Spiteful Intents” for a quite big amount of €, which reflects the demand and rarity of this title among collectors and fans of obscure ’90s Swedish metal. Its cult status is fully earned, not only because of its scarcity but also due to its authentic snapshot of a unique era in the genre's development. A rare and historically interesting EP that captures the spirit of Swedish black/death metal in the mid-’90s. Worth revisiting, especially now that it’s more widely available through the Regain reissue. It’s a buy-or-die occasion for the fans of the old-school Swedish black/death metal scene.

Score: 9.0