Sinergy — Beware the Heavens

intothewellsabyss
Jun 21, 2023
3 min read

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…

24 years ago today, the star-studded Metal masterpiece, “Beware the Heavens” was unleashed!

On this day (June 21) in 1999, Sinergy released their debut full-length studio album, “Beware the Heavens” via Nuclear Blast.

Background:

Sinergy formed when the then Dimmu Borgir keyboard player Kimberly Goss (Avernus, Ancient, Therion) met with then In Flames guitarist Jesper Strömblad during a joint world tour. They discussed the idea of assembling a female-fronted Metal band, but were unable to achieve this due to time constraints.

When Kimberly quit Dimmu Borgir and moved to Sweden, she decided that it was time to turn her project with Strömblad into a reality. The first incarnation of Sinergy was composed of them, bassist Sharlee D'Angelo (from Arch Enemy and MERCYFUL FATE), drummer Ronny Milianowicz and guitarist Alexi Laiho (Children Of Bodom, Impaled Nazarene, Bodom After Midnight).

The debut album “Beware the Heavens” was recorded in 1999 and had a basic concept: returning to the essence of woman-fronted metal bands, throwing aside the operatic elements introduced in the '90s, and bringing back the style of singers such as Doro Pesch (from Doro and Warlock). The album sold rather well and was received with excitement by European Metal fans.

The album features two instrumental tracks "Born Unto Fire and Passion" and "Pulsation", and a track inspired by the series Xena: The Warrior Princess, entitled "The Warrior Princess". Some melodies that can be heard in the song "Beware the Heavens" were sampled from a song called "Translucent image" by IneartheD (now known as Children of Bodom); the song is featured on IneartheD's 1995 demo “Ubiquitous Absence Of Remission”. This is the only album where Jesper Strömblad (ex-In Flames, The Halo Effect) plays guitar alongside Alexi Laiho; his position was filled in by Roope Latvala on all subsequent albums.

Critical Reception:

In his review for AllMusic, Steve Huey writes; “Vocalist/keyboardist Kim Goss steps out with her own project, Sinergy, on the British Metal-influenced “Beware the Heavens”. The music is melodic and driving, with Goss' keyboards prominent on most tracks, as well as NWOBHM-style twin guitar rhythms and leads. Guitar guests include Alexi Laiho and Jesper Stromblad.”

While seaoftranquility.org stated; “Beware the Heavens “was the 1999 debut from Metal supergroup Sinergy, originally released on Nuclear Blast and now reissued/remastered from the folks at Metal Mind Productions. The line-up for this release was female vocalist/ keyboardist Kim Goss, guitarist Alex Laiho, guitarist Jesper Stromblad, bassist Sharlee D'Angelo, and drummer Ronny Milianowicz. The music is a mix of Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Thrash, and some classic Metal elements, long on catchy melodies, strong vocals, and tasty guitar work.

Those into the work of these players from their regular acts might be a tad surprised at what you'll hear on “Beware the Heavens”, but no matter how you look at it, this is classic Metal from start to finish. Thrashier numbers like "Venemous Vixens" and "Warrior Princess" showcase Laiho & Strombland's intricate, heavy riffage and flashy solos over the rapid rhythms from D'Angelo & Milianowicz, while the more melodic pieces such as "The Fourth World", "Pulsation", and "Beware the Heavens" show Goss in fine form, her vocals strong, powerful, and melodic, sounding not unlike the great Lana Lane, while on the complex burner "Virtual Future", Goss does battle with an endless array of catchy riff-o-rama, all elements working in top form.”

Noteworthy:

Alexi Laiho’s death in January 2021 of long-term health complications, and Hietala’s announcement of his withdrawal from the public eye (and departure from Nightwish, his main band since his departure from Sinergy) put an end to the possibility of Sinergy ever reuniting.

Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:

Click this link to listen to the “Beware the Heavens (Deluxe Edition)” via Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/beware-the-heavens-deluxe-edition/1579308578

Click this link to follow the Sinergy page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sinergy-185245475400016/

Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells