Review VULTURE ‘Sentinels’

Vulture is a band that created a shockwave through the German metal underground. The band, founded in 2015, unleashed a debut album called ‘The Guillotine’ in 2017 and it was High Roller Records who recognized the potential of the Dortmund, Germany based powerhouse.

The debut was the springboard for two more records and allowed the band to ink a deal with Metal Blade Records. Their fourth album, ‘Sentinels’, is the newest strike from North Rhine-Westphalia and the five-piece bad didn’t change anything when it comes to their blistering metal.

Vulture, for a next time, hail the speed of metal that is rooted in the 80s. Bands like Agent Steel have been trailblazers for this kind of metal, especially considering the high-pitch screams and vocals. Vulture takes this sound is an inspiration and transfers the spirit into the present.

The songs on ‘Sentinels’ are fast and furious with the opener setting the framework for this longplayer. ‘Screams From the Abattoir’ isn’t solely due to the title an oldschool metal track. Sound, riffs and a breathless pace is what indicates immediately what fans will face when cruising thought this release. This metal vehicle has certainly no brakes and the only moment for taking a deep breath is when the interlude ‘Transylvania’ provides a short moment of calmness. It doesn’t take long though for Vulture to return to their standard pattern. ‘Reams of the Impaler’ is the next thundering blast with thrash metal roots clearly coming to surface. In Vulture term the song is almost kept in a moderate pace and still unfolds its power immediately.

Melodic and almost atmospheric, that is the short intro to ‘Where There’s a Whip (There is a Way)’ before hell breaks loose again. Different in all fashions is ‘Der Tod trägt schwarz’. Not only having a German title, but the song is also a ballad. It’s quite smart to use a German title for such a song that widens the sound of the German five-piece.

The last third of the album brings back the untamed speed metal a la Vulture and after 41 minutes there is a temptation to restart the album and run through these eleven track a next time.

Vulture is swinging the axe again. ‘Sentinels’ is a blistering and fast metal album and lives up to expectations. It is the anticipated next blast from the Western parts of Germany, an album that will help to strengthen the foundation of Vulture even more.