SENTRY – Sentry

Titolo: Sentry
Autore: SENTRY
Nazione: Stati Uniti D'America, Germania
Genere: Heavy Metal
Anno: 2024
Etichetta: High Roller Records

Formazione:

Bryan Patrick – Voce
Kalli Coldsmith – Chitarra
Phil Ross – Basso
Andreas Neudi Neuderth – Batteria


Tracce:

01. Dark Matter
02. The Haunting
03. Heavensent
04. Valkyries (Raise The Hammers)
05. Awakening
06. Black Candles
07. Raven’s Night
08. Funeral
09. Incarnation Of Evil


Voto del redattore HMW: 7,5/10

Visualizzazioni post:547

The case with the SENTRY band is a peculiar one. This is the band consisted of all ex-MANILLA ROAD members at the moment of Mark’s death, plus the Eric “Kalli” Kaldschmidt (Coldsmith) addition in guitars (Abandoned, Jameson Raid, Masters of Disguise guitarist), and this is their first full length album, 5 years after Mark’s death.

Earlier in 2023, they released a 2 track promo, which was tape released by the band itself and CD released by Postmortem Apocalypse.

In the release’s detailed promo sheet, I can understand that the remaining Manilla Road musicians they do not want to be considered as a Manilla Road replica, nor as tribute band, although they spearheaded the Manilla Road tribute show at Keep It True 2019.

Besides, that Manilla Road tribute show was something needed to be done by the festival’s promoters, since the festival’s rather successful achievement during the last 20 years happened in parallel lines to Manilla Road’s second youth period (which started from the 2001 Atlantis Rising album and afterwards, and until Mark’s passing), without of course underestimating at all the promoters’ extremely hard work all these years. Besides, we are talking about Mark Shelton, one of most characteristic figures in the history of epic metal, therefore a live show-tribute to his memory is the least we should expect from any live promoter in Europe and overseas.

It was something natural therefore,  the ex-band members to be the most proper line-up to realize the idea of this tribute band.

In addition, according to the same promo sheet, Sentry do not want to be considered as a band belonging to a specific metal genre, but as a band with diverse personality.

This statement can be perceivable during the whole album’s listening process: Indeed, SENTRY cannot be categorized in a special metal genre, they play heavy metal trying to incorporate various metal genres to their own musical identity. Actually, this album it is a traditional metal album, but to say that it is only a traditional heavy metal album, may not be the precise description.

According to the same promo sheet as well, album’s production is at the same levels as many of our era’s best productions. Actually, in this promo sheet we can read precisely that ‘production has achieved to stand up to a lot of modern metal albums’, however don’t misunderstand this phrase: the album’s sound has nothing to do with modern sound (I mean Pantera like guitars, nu metal etc etc). It’s traditional heavy metal, the SENTRY way.

However, the comparisons with Manilla Road are inevitable. Besides, Kalli states it clearly: ‘ With three out of four guys that were actually playing in Manilla Road and adding to the sound of their latest records, you will always feel and hear the spirit of the Road, no matter what these guys do’.

But, comparisons are inevitable not only because of the members’ legacy, not only because Manilla Road is the biggest band’s influence but also for another one important reason: Because epic metal fans are waiting for a band to sit in Manilla Road’s throne, now that Mark is not in life anymore. They are waiting for the successors to give their oath as the next Epic Metal Gods at the shores of the river Styx! (For those not aware about the legend of the river Styx -which is referred to Manilla Road’s Necropolis track, one of the most classic heavy metal anthems ever composed- according to Homer  it is said that swearing by the water of river Styx, was the greatest and most dread oath for the blessed gods!).

I understand that this is quite difficult nowadays to happen. Despite the technology’s help and contribution, our era is not the most inspired one, as far as the metal music is concerned and our era’s current acts: Possibly because too many subgenres existing out there, and each one subgenre has as ambition to dominate the scene, replacing traditional heavy metal and epic metal. However, inspiration is something more difficult to be achieved, and has not to be confused with the effort to be sounded original. Besides, originality is not reflecting always the same to each one listener, on the contrary inspiration can perceived as such for a much higher range of listeners, inspiration criteria are more simple, in general.

During the whole album’s listening process therefore, there is an impression (at least to me, as a listener) that band members are trying to find the optimum chemistry between them and create their own musical identity, under the prism of their different influences and musical tastes which are rather diverse, instead of trying to be sounded more epic and catchy.

Consequently, here are my conclusions regarding this album:

There is a certain Manilla Road atmosphere in the compositions, however it is less epic than I would expect, personally.

Regarding the guitar work: There are really good riffs to this album and some very good solos as well. But, comparing even to the latest Manilla Road albums, Playground Of The Damned, Mysterium, The Blessed Curse, which I liked a lot, there is not that unique Manilla Road feeling we can trace to all Manilla Road albums, and of which Mark was 100% the reason for it. I repeat that band members have not the ambition to be considered as the Manilla Road’s legacy continuators (‘we are simply a different band with own original songs’, states Kally), therefore each one reading these lines will judge whether a comparison is necessary or not. But, at least in my opinion, such comparison should be prolific in order to better draw some useful conclusions.

Regarding the remaining rhythm section part, drum work is very good, quite technical playing, however bass role is not as protagonist as I would expect.

Production is very good indeed, but the characteristic of the Manilla Road albums was that although production could be better, what it counts in the end is that the Manilla Road’s unique atmosphere and identity, were totally highlighted through the way their albums were sounding.

It is not sufficient therefore the production to be ‘clear’ and not plastic. From that point of view, production is flawless.

Neverthless, production only, cannot elevate an album at a top class level, when inspiration is not at the high levels as expected. I do not say that there is luck of inspiration. No way! On the contrary, technically the album is very good,  I am just saying that I expected compositions to be more catchy, more straight to your face, and more epic.

The material was recorded partly at the Eric Coldsmith’s studio near Darmstadt in Germany, and partly at Phil Ross own studio at Wichita of Kansas state.

During the many album listenings, I was always bearing in mind the huge respect I have for the members who, the one or the other way, want to continue playing music together, paying homage that way to Mark’s memory.

The album is a very good one, but I expected it even better for reasons explained. It is not epic metal, it is heavy metal the way each one of the band members is perceiving heavy metal, that is diverse influences trying to find the perfect chemistry, within the prism of traditional metal sound.

Therefore, if you ask me, the band members should search for their more epic side in the future, and narrow their influences horizon towards a more epic destination.

In the end, it is an album deserved to be heard, not only because of the Manilla Road heritage it carries, but because my instinct says that we haven’t seen the whole SENTRY’s potential yet. This album was only the Prologue of the band’s contribution to the metal history.

 

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