| Sentenced 'Down'
Century Media, 1996 Tyrant: Sentenced play a rocky breed of traditional metal with primarily depressing, suicide obsessed lyrics creating an entertaining paradox. Vocalist Ville Laithiala sounds mostly reminiscent of Metallica's gravelly vocalist but is varied enough not to sound like a total rip off. The guitars range from traditional simplistic heavy riffs to rocky passages and a heady dose of slick Finnish melodicism ala In Flames most prominent in the start of 'Warrior Of Life' or 'I'll Throw The First Rock'. Acoustic breaks occasionally enhance the music�s flow and a sparing use of keyboards add a unique identity to a number of tracks. Samael's Vorphalak supplies grim throaty guest vocals on 'Bleed', 'Keep My Grave Open' and 'Warrior Of Life' used in either short verses or bridge sections. Some average female vocals also appear on a couple of tracks as either backing harmonies 'Crumbling Down' or haunting vocal passages 'Ode To The End'. This is the Finn's first album with their new singer Ville and while it's a very accomplished transition it occasionally lacks direction making for a slightly disjointed listening experience. Favourite Tracks - Shadegrown ; Noose ; Warrior Of Life ( Reaper Redeemer ) Mark 7/10 Sentenced �The Cold White Light� Century Media, 2002 Tyrant: Sentenced again return from the frozen wastelands of Finland to inflict their bleak view of life and melodic metal rifferama on us. The Cold White Light is a devolution of the bands sound after the lengthy and experimental tunes of �Crimson� instead favouring the simplified verse chorus structuring of Down with a heavier atmospheric and melodic edge. Vocalist Ville Laihiala introduces some deep clean vocals on The Cold White Light interspersed with his more familiar gravelly voice for a wider and more enjoyable listening experience. Another welcome addition to the Finns new album is the introduction of some more light hearted, tongue in cheek suicidal lyrics in songs such as the brilliant yet cheesy �Excuse Me While I Kill Myself�, the yearning �Guilt And Regret�, and the sarcastic �The Luxury Of A Grave�. These tracks provide an amusing contrast to the rest of the more serious gloomy messages of doom and desperation. The Cold White Light's artwork perfectly complements the feel of the album along with the integration of some traditional Finnish music and bird samples in the albums intro and outro. Overall the material on The Cold White Light is the best of the bands career and worthy of attention outside of their usual fan base. Recommended. Favourite Tracks � Excuse Me While I Kill Myself ; Guilt And Regret ; Cross My Heart And Hope To Die Mark � 8.5/10 Sentenced 'The Funeral Album' Century Media, 2005 Tyrant: Sentenced have finally called it a day and left us with their swan song The Funeral Album. The band wished to go out on a high note and have achieved their goal successfully. The material on The Funeral Album features more vocal harmony interaction than previous efforts and is slicker and more dynamic than what has come before it in every way. A return of the cheesy tongue in cheek lyrics of The Cold White Light rears its head on the cheesy yet vicious 'Vengeance Is Mine', whilst their melodic rocky riffing is on full form from the very start of opener 'May Today Become The Day'. Sentenced have put together a well structured consistent album with tracks ranging in mood, feel, and tempo from perverted 'Drain Me', to sorrowful 'Her Last 5 Minutes'/'Lower The Flags', to complacent 'Consider Us Dead'. Other tracks of note include the awesome ballad 'We Are But Falling Leaves', the short aggressive deathy musical 'Where Waters Fall Frozen', the slightly Manowar-esque 'Despair Ridden Hearts', and the song which presumably sums up their career 'End Of The Road'. Overall a fine and varied final album for one of Finland�s metal stalwarts. Favourite Tracks - Lower The Flags ; Vengeance Is Mine ; We Are But Falling Leaves Mark - 8/10 |
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