Premier Dutch Death Metal act SINISTER has enjoyed two flushes of popularity and respect, first as recognised Euro pioneers of the genre then as a revitalised and female fronted force spearheading the return of Death Metal in mainland Europe. The band formed in 1988 as a trio of Mike van Mastrigt, Ron and drummer Aad Kloosterwaard adding bassist Corzas in early 1989. This line-up released the 'Perpetual Damnation' demo. Sales of the tape were strong and SINISTER toured supporting ENTOMBED and DISHARMONIC ORCHESTRA.

Corzas left in May 1991 and bass duties were handed over to SEMPITERNAL DEATHREIGN's Frank Faase. Another line-up shuffle saw Ron moving over to bass as SINISTER added second guitarist Andre. Thier second demo had secured enough interest to land a deal with Nuclear Blast. The band had also released three singles, one a split EP with MONASTERY, and appeared on a compilation album in the interim. In 1991 SINISTER toured as support to ATROCITY. More touring opened up 1992 as SINISTER gained a valuable support slot to MORGOTH.

A deal was struck with Nuclear Blast Records with debut album 'Cross The Styx' being produced at Mainstreet Studio Fautspach in Germany by ATROCITY's singer Alexander Krull. The band toured to promote 'Cross The Styx' by opening for DEICIDE, ENTOMBED, CANNIBAL CORPSE and ATROCITY among others.

SINISTER's second album, 'Diabolical Summoning', was recorded at TNT Studios in Gelsenkirchen during March of 1993 and produced by Colin Richardson, with a third album appearing in 1995 entitled 'Hate'. Promoting this opus the band put in European headline dates in February 1996 together with CREEPMIME, AVULSED and DARKSEED.

Mike and Kloosterwaard founded HOUWITSER in 1999 for the 'Death But Not Buried' album. Mike would also later front DEATHSQUAD.

Vocalist Eric decamped in August 1999. After which Joost of Grindcore outfit INHUME and DROWNING IN TEARS took care of the vocal role until SINISTER surprised many by adopting a female lead singer Rachel Heyzer of OCCULT. Heyzer, a lady in possession of a mighty roar that would shame most male Death Metal vocalists, made her debut with the 'Creative Killings' album. SINISTER switched from Nuclear Blast to the Hammerheart label, licensed in America to the Martyr Music Group, for the November 2001 release of 'Creative Killings'. The album included a cover version of POSSESSED's 'Storm In Your Mind'.

Aad Kloosterwaard would also occupy the drum stool for Death act THANATOS but would vacate this position in August 2001.

By early 2002 the SINISTER ranks saw departure of longstanding guitar player Bart van Wallenberg and subsequent the induction of CANTARA and GOD DETHRONED guitarist Pascal for touring purposes. SINISTER would be announced as support to NILE's October European tour. Further European dates for November would be announced with the band forming up a package bill comprising SEPTIC FLESH, DISMEMBER and THYRFING. The band had their efforts rewarded by re-signing to Nuclear Blast label for a new studio album 'Savage Or Grace'.

Former SINISTER singer Mike van Mastrigt resurfaced in late 2002 in a new band union DEATH SQUAD working with ex-RADIATHOR guitarist Walter Tjwa, second guitarist J.G. and drummer Michel.

The band made further upward progress with the album 'Savage Or Grace' but adjusted its line up in August of 2003, ousting both guitarist Pascal Grevinga and bassist Alex Paul. Guitarist Ron van de Polder, who had been involved in the song writing process for 1992's 'Cross The Styx' and 'Savage Or Grace', stepped in as replacement as the new look trio immediately set to work on a new album 'Heaven Termination'. This renewed burst of activity also manifested itself in a side project, INFINITED HATE comprising the full SINISTER triumvirate of Heyzer, van de Polder and Kloosterwaard.

In 2004 SINISTER would donate their rendition of 'Storm In My Mind' to the 'Seven Gates Of Horror' tribute album assembled by the Karmaggedon Media label in homage to pioneering Bay Area Thrash act POSSESSED. After 16 years of delivering extreme Metal, SINISTER folded in April of 2004.

Word arrived in March of 2005 that SINISTER, comprising a revised casting seeing Aad Kloosterwaard handling vocals, Paul Beltman, ex-JUDGEMENT DAY, on drums and Alex Paul on bass and guitar, had reformed. The band entered Stage One studio in Germany to cut new album, 'Afterburner' in December.

[ There is also a west coast rap group named Sinister. ]