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- Bands:
SENTIENT HORROR - Duration: 00:36:59
- Available from: 10/25/2024
- Label:
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Redefining Darkness Records
Streaming not yet available
“In Service of the Dead”, Sentient Horror's fourth album, confirms the old school death metal direction that the American band has undertaken since its inception. If in the first albums the influence of more traditional Swedish death metal clearly emerged, with evident homages to bands like Entombed and Dismember, the latest work, “Rites of Gore”, had shown an evolution towards heavier and more structured sounds, with hints of the Floridian scene (Obituary and early Death). Now, with “In Service of the Dead”, Matt Moliti, guitarist/singer and leader of the band, introduces further changes, moving towards a more melodic and linear sound, while maintaining a strong connection with the roots of the project.
Moliti's choice to insert vaguely more accessible elements – such as choruses and riffs designed to be better memorized – inspired by his passion for certain classic metal, therefore leads to a slight variation in the band's formula, without however altering its essence too much. The influence of Moliti's listening – who says he is a big fan of Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Dio – is evident in some passages, even if they are subtle similarities. The band obviously doesn't aim to emulate those models in all respects, but incorporates certain arias while maintaining a rougher and never too elaborate approach, sometimes arriving in this aspect to recall, with due proportions, something of Carcass.
In general, Sentient Horror continue to demonstrate great attachment to the cause, notable technical skills and good songwriting skills. The dark sound and thrash-like approach of some of the new tracks can also bring to mind Bloodbath's latest effort, “Survival of the Sickest”.
When you choose to deliberately streamline the structures there is always the risk of appearing flat, but even in this circumstance the band shows off good inspiration and the usual notable verve: net of a couple of minor episodes, the tracklist it is therefore a pleasure to listen to, especially in the central part, where the quartet puts together a very entertaining series of songs (“The Tombcrusher”, “Out of Sanity”, “Glory to the Rotten”).
If the most memorable pieces are concentrated in the central part, it should however be underlined that the rest of the tracklist remains at at least acceptable levels, without ever resulting in mediocrity.
Overall, we can therefore speak of a good return for Sentient Horror: perhaps “Rites of Gore” was more complete as a whole, but the new effort still manages to present a band capable of refining their sound without betraying their roots .
Those who appreciated the previous works will probably find new points of interest, while the slight opening towards more harmonious and linear structures could perhaps even attract those who generally prefer less intense sounds. A pleasant listen and consistent with the group's path.
Daniel D`Amico for SANREMO.FM