Gareth checks out the latest release from German Thrashers Vulture…. let’s hope these guys haven’t headed down the ‘modern metal’ direction like some of their other countrymen!!

Sometimes just the sheer, unbridled enthusiasm of a band brings a smile to your face, and that’s certainly the case with Dortmund based Vulture and their fourth album ‘Sentinels’, that’s not to say they are a band with passion alone, they are a talented bunch that’s for sure, and with one foot placed firmly back in the late 80’s, you know that their take on speed and thrash is going to be a blast.

While wearing their influences proudly on their sleeves, and with tongues firmly in cheek by the way, the Vulture boys unleash on us a 40-minute album of pure unbridled metal enjoyment. I couldn’t believe that it’s been almost 3 years since the excellent ‘Dealin Death’, and it’s obvious the boys have put a lot of work into this new bunch of songs. While ‘Dealin Death’ saw the band dial back the speed a little and up the catchiness, adding more theatrics, with the likes of choirs and more horror themed keyboards and dual harmonies, it perhaps lacked a little of the spontaneity of the first two albums. ‘Sentinels’ addresses that lack of impulse, and the speed factor, while keeping the progression made on ‘Dealin Death’, this time around all the bands trademarks are intact; the intense riffing, shifting dynamics, halftone-shifts, intense vocals, and massive sounding drums, are all present but seem to be contained in a more structured format.

Not only did the band approach the songwriting with a bit more of a professional and structured method, but they also took to a more planned schedule, to ensure that the album’s sound was going to be their best ever. This extra attention to detail has paid off greatly, and the production on ‘Sentinels’ is nothing short of excellent. Every instrument sounds clear, especially the drums, which sound huge, and you can even hear the adroit basslines, which is almost unheard of (both meanings) in this style of music.

So, let’s take a closer look at the actual songs on ‘Sentinels’, starting with the ominously titled ‘Screams from the Abattoir’ opens with a drum flourish from ‘G. Deceiver’ before some neck breaking speed riffing, courtesy of guitarists S. Castevet & M. Outlaw, and bassist A. Axetinctör, before the deranged vocals of L. Steeler cuts in. The double blow of intro ‘Transylvania’ and ‘Realm of the Impaler’ show the dual lead melodies off fantastically, and there’s more than a small nod to Maiden in this one. Lead single ‘Unhallowed & Forgotten’ has a bit of a Tankard feel to it, with a more playful feel to the chorus, while still keeping the aggression. The brilliantly, and hilariously titled ‘Where There’s a Whip (There Is a Way)’ is a personal favourite of mine with its melodic harmony intro before a bloodcurdling scream, and a dense flurry of speeding riffs, the guitars cutting through like razors. ‘Gargoyles’ has some tasty chugging parts and chorus designed for the live stage. The album finishes on a high with the title track (with added ‘Heavier than Time’ suffix), the albums longest track with some meaty slower crunch at the start, and some Exodus like background chants, and with some excellent instrumental sections.

As with the previous three Vulture albums ‘Sentinels’ is a real joy from start to finish, and what it lacks in originality, it more than makes up for with pure exuberance, of which it has plenty.

Vultures – Sentinel is out tomorrow the 12th April via MetalBlade Records!!