Vulture - Sentinels

2024-04-11 07:00:52

Vulture have always had a heart for metallic high speed between speed metal and thrash metal. The tradition-conscious yet fiery proto-sound of the German quintet is skillfully placed at the beginnings of this genre and still wrests exciting, fresh facets from it today. For their fifth album „Sentinels“ They decided to step up their game and make their sound a little more varied – supposedly tight corset or not.

This is exactly what works without a doubt, see and listen to “Where There’s A Whip (There’s A Way)”, for example, which initially leads you on the wrong track with its melodic intro. A high scream and a bold tempo head for more familiar realms, overturning themselves and at the same time shining with dynamic inserts. The chorus in particular with its mid-tempo undertones is wonderful to shout along to, and the solo also scores points for its ponderousness. The video release “Unhallowed & Forgotten,” on the other hand, is a rough, brutal wrecking ball that naturally targets the Bay Area and spits out one of the best riffs on the entire album.

The quintet has also retained their horror penchant. After the short “Transylvania” intro, “Realm Of The Impaler” gets off to a furious start. Memories of Venom and early Exodus come to mind, while the chorus is an unrelenting, urgent stomper before the Lord – martial, crazy and yet so catchy. “Gargoyles” is also memorable, including sharp screams and a thrilling riff storm. The bouncer “Sentinels (Heavier Than Time)” finally lives up to its name and takes the heaviness to the highest heights. A leaden toxic waltz meets NWOBHM guitar work and gets lost in the long, similarly gripping fade-out.

With these 40 minutes, Vulture has hit the jackpot. The mix of underground sound and aesthetics, higher speed, even more variety and strong songwriting works. “Sentinels” sips the original speed and thrash soup with delight, shakes the hair on your head and forces the neck vertebrae to perform at their best. At the same time, the new tracks catch the ear much more often, live from big choruses and want to be shouted along with increasing enthusiasm. Vulture deliver an entertaining wrecking ball and perhaps even their best album to date.

Rating: 8/10

Available from: April 12, 2024
Available via: Metal Blade (Sony Music)

Facebook: www.facebook.com/vulturekills