Walter Trout - Broken (Provogue/Mascot Label Group) [Matt Bladen]
10 years on from his life changing health issues, its been a long hard road for long rom aiming bluesman Walter Trout, his 2015 'comeback' album Battle Scars, sparked a creative streak that has seen him release a lot of albums in quick succession. The newest, his 31st, Broken doesn't languish in the maudlin though, it's a comment on how fractured our society is, told in a way that only a 72 year old with a new lease of life can. It's Trout entering his grumpy old man stage, though as he admits, mentally still 25, raging at the world along with a few friends.
Yep I said a few friends as Beth Hart, sings her lungs out as per on the title track, opening this new album with some 'classic' bluesing, the two of them delivering passion vocally as Trout shows off those well honed chops. Elsewhere Trout plays his first Canned Heat-like boogie since leaving that band on Bleed which has harmonica virtuoso Will Wilde blowing up a storm, the final guest is Twisted Sister frontman and professional mouthpiece Dee Snider on I've Had Enough, a track written by Trout for Snider.
These 12 originals all have Trout's brilliant playing running through them, country picking on Turn And Walk Away, those country tendencies continue on Breathe. There's some beautiful soloing on Courage In The Dark and of course some rocking on a track such as Heaven Or Hell, where Trout goes a bit Neil Young. For me though the evocative instrumental called Love Of My Life, dedicated to Trout's wife, is one of the best songs here as is the psychedelic closer Falls Apart. Walter Trout is still kicking, still rocking and deeply indebt to the blues as his saviour. 8/10
Sentry – Sentry (High Roller Records) [Paul Hutchings]
How do you define the sound that Sentry bring? Epic Metal? Traditional Metal? Even NOWBHM but done by Americans? Or simply, pure solid Heavy Metal. Regardless of the label, the debut album by Sentry is something else.
For the uninitiated, Sentry comprises three members of the sadly no more Manilla Road, Bryan Patrick on vocals, Phill Ross on bass and drummer Andreas ‘Neudi’ Neuderth who are joined by guitarist Kalli Coldsmith. There’s a history of 40 years to explore with Manilla Road, but that’s not the purpose of this review. Suffice, once the band had recovered from the death of Mark Shelton in 2018, and performed the Manilla Road tribute at 2019’s Keep It True Festival, they decided that Sentry would become reality.
For the uninitiated, Sentry comprises three members of the sadly no more Manilla Road, Bryan Patrick on vocals, Phill Ross on bass and drummer Andreas ‘Neudi’ Neuderth who are joined by guitarist Kalli Coldsmith. There’s a history of 40 years to explore with Manilla Road, but that’s not the purpose of this review. Suffice, once the band had recovered from the death of Mark Shelton in 2018, and performed the Manilla Road tribute at 2019’s Keep It True Festival, they decided that Sentry would become reality.
As Phil Ross explains, to call the band Manilla Road would have been absurd. “We don't need to pretend we are something we are not; we simply wish to be ourselves within this new band. To move on in this group and write new material and try to call it ‘Manilla Road’ would have been absurd, and it's not anything we ever thought about. If you ask anyone in Sentry, they will tell you that Manilla Road was Mark Shelton, plain and simple”.
So, whilst you are quite within your rights to consider Sentry in part a tribute to Sheldon this is a new band who have produced a fine debut, on the High Roller Records label. With much of the music written by Coldsmith, who also did a large part of the production, mixing and recording, there is certainly a different feel although the sound that the band have brought is certainly both Traditional and Epic Metal.
At just shy of 55 minutes, and eight songs, you quickly realise that there are some longer than average tracks on offer. That doesn’t matter in the slightest, for this is music that gets better on ever play. After the fast opener Dark Matter, it’s the first big hitter in the shape of The Haunting, a song that would sit comfortably alongside doom legends Candlemass. The slow driven riff, Neuderth’s thumping drums and Patrick’s mesmeric vocal style all sweep you into one huge well of emotion. It’s anthemic, massive in sound, and a statement that this is a band with much to offer.
Heavensent and Black Candles were the two tracks that premiered in 2023, although I admit that I missed them at that time, so they present as fresh. The former is a mournful lament, whilst the latter brings a layer of darkness that conjures up magical and mythical images. Sandwiched between these are two of my favourites – Valkyries (Raise The Hammers) and the thrash-laden Awakening.
So, whilst you are quite within your rights to consider Sentry in part a tribute to Sheldon this is a new band who have produced a fine debut, on the High Roller Records label. With much of the music written by Coldsmith, who also did a large part of the production, mixing and recording, there is certainly a different feel although the sound that the band have brought is certainly both Traditional and Epic Metal.
At just shy of 55 minutes, and eight songs, you quickly realise that there are some longer than average tracks on offer. That doesn’t matter in the slightest, for this is music that gets better on ever play. After the fast opener Dark Matter, it’s the first big hitter in the shape of The Haunting, a song that would sit comfortably alongside doom legends Candlemass. The slow driven riff, Neuderth’s thumping drums and Patrick’s mesmeric vocal style all sweep you into one huge well of emotion. It’s anthemic, massive in sound, and a statement that this is a band with much to offer.
Heavensent and Black Candles were the two tracks that premiered in 2023, although I admit that I missed them at that time, so they present as fresh. The former is a mournful lament, whilst the latter brings a layer of darkness that conjures up magical and mythical images. Sandwiched between these are two of my favourites – Valkyries (Raise The Hammers) and the thrash-laden Awakening.
The former sits comfortably alongside the likes of Cirith Ungol and Grand Magus, with a little edge of Manowar but without the OTT ludicrousness of the oiled-up ones. Skull crushing riffs, a huge drum sound, and Patrick on imperious form, it’s simply as metal as you can get. After the thick riffs, the explosive power of Awakening is a surprise, but a real fine one. It slows in parts but is still a real crunching track that will be incredible live.
The heaviness of Black Candles isn’t crafted by the speed but by the sheer intensity of atmosphere created, and the way its tempo accelerates in the final part is inspired. Using audio imagery works magnificently on the album. The cry of the Raven on Raven’s Night may be cliched, but there’s nothing to complain about on another epic song. It’s another carefully crafted, brooding track that is soaked in melody.
The heaviness of Black Candles isn’t crafted by the speed but by the sheer intensity of atmosphere created, and the way its tempo accelerates in the final part is inspired. Using audio imagery works magnificently on the album. The cry of the Raven on Raven’s Night may be cliched, but there’s nothing to complain about on another epic song. It’s another carefully crafted, brooding track that is soaked in melody.
The croaking Raven appears again at the end, before a bell tolls to introduce the sombre doom rich Funeral. Originally a segue between songs, Coldsmith converted it into a full song, and it features Ross and Patrick before Coldsmith adds some gentle acoustics. Dark, sombre, it’s a song that fits so well and yet is so different. And then an inspired cover of Candlemass’s Incarnation Of Evil, which is available on the CD as bonus track.
This is a massive album. If you like your Metal the classic way, then check it out. You won’t be disappointed. 10/10
This is a massive album. If you like your Metal the classic way, then check it out. You won’t be disappointed. 10/10
Beyrevra - Echoes: Vanished Lore Of Fire (Trollzorn Records) [Joe Guatieri]
German Melodic Black Metal band Beyrevra come out of the woodwork to bring us their debut studio full-length, Echoes: Vanished Lore Of Fire. Having gotten more into Black Metal over the past couple of months with the likes of the genre being infused with Noise and Industrial, I was really interested to dive into this melodic variant.
The record opens with Sentenced, the introduction presents the sounds of a ghostly choir represented by keyboards before everything involved blasts at high speeds. The guitars sound very cinematic in their nature giving me visions of a raid upon a tower with monstrous vocals acting as our guide through this dark world.
Later on we go into track five Erased which brings feelings of pain in the way that the instrumental is delivered. Everything seems stretched out for help but to no avail as the song slows down into a punishing crawl, producing shades of Doom Metal reminiscent of classic bands such as Saint Vitus. Then with one false move, all of a sudden we are sent spiralling in another sprint for our lives.
Finally we have track nine The Hermit Of Torment which is my favourite song on the album. To me it is without a doubt the most aggressive song here and the track listing really builds on the fact, getting more unhinged overtime. As the track slows down from the biting anger, something more beautiful and serene than what anyone would have expected appears.
A meditative guitar riff is repeated feeling like such a contrast to what has come before, bringing peacefulness for the first time. This moment defines what Melodic Black Metal means to me, making light of something dark. It reminds me of Lateralus era Tool which is something that I welcome here with open arms.
Overall, despite an under-utilized bass guitar, the album is a powerful experience bringing together stories in song. Brilliance is highlighted in plenty of different places including memorable drum performances which are animalistic in their nature and feel impossible to play.
Overall, despite an under-utilized bass guitar, the album is a powerful experience bringing together stories in song. Brilliance is highlighted in plenty of different places including memorable drum performances which are animalistic in their nature and feel impossible to play.
Another way is with the singer that feels like he’s in battle with himself with both of his high and low deliveries within their vocal range, it makes you think that there’s several different people offering their talents so I find it mind blowing that it’s all from one person. 8/10
These Wicked Rivers - Force Of Nature (Fat Earth Records) [Rich Piva]
Is it me or is there a ton of bands that are “These” and “Them”? Is it also me or do all of those bands sound alike? To me the answer to both is an emphatic yes, and These Wicked Rivers is no different.
Is it me or is there a ton of bands that are “These” and “Them”? Is it also me or do all of those bands sound alike? To me the answer to both is an emphatic yes, and These Wicked Rivers is no different.
These guys play a relative generic style of southern rock that is a bit to twangy for me and way too overproduced for these ears on their latest album Force Of Nature. Sure, these guys can play, but I could not pick them out of a lineup compared to the glut of other bands playing straight ahead rock today.
I mean, sure, the solo is great on the opener, Force Of Nature, but to me the song falls flat and has a built in a lab feel that is impossible for me to get past. The Family is a country-tinged rocker that sounds more like heavy modern country than anything that I would want to spend any time on from a rock standpoint. Black Gold is a bit cringe and cliché while Testify is more of the same.
I mean, sure, the solo is great on the opener, Force Of Nature, but to me the song falls flat and has a built in a lab feel that is impossible for me to get past. The Family is a country-tinged rocker that sounds more like heavy modern country than anything that I would want to spend any time on from a rock standpoint. Black Gold is a bit cringe and cliché while Testify is more of the same.
The guitar work is strong on the record, but that’s really all I can say I dig on Force Of Nature as a song like When The War Is Won is more like very poor man’s Skynyrd that had a bunch of money for expensive studio time. The second half for me is not much better than the first, with more cliched southern rock via UK lyrics over generic rock and above average guitar work.
I apologize in advance, because I know some people are going to love this, but Force Of Nature. These Wicked Rivers come across as posing as a Southern Rock band, and I just can’t get past it. Also, only true Them Or These band to worry about are Them Crooked Vultures. Sorry. 5/10
I apologize in advance, because I know some people are going to love this, but Force Of Nature. These Wicked Rivers come across as posing as a Southern Rock band, and I just can’t get past it. Also, only true Them Or These band to worry about are Them Crooked Vultures. Sorry. 5/10
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