Vulture - Sentinels (2024)

★★★

Having not been impressed by anything VULTURE have done since their 2017 album The Guillotine, I didn’t exactly have high hopes for a new record. I was immediately captivated by the cover art, but would the music live up to it? To save you from the anticipation, the short answer is no – the music isn’t half as cool as the artwork, and that’s a shame! Just like their last few releases, we get an onslaught of riffs with potential but they just aren’t utilized effectively, and the same thing can be said with their approach to melody. Yes, they’re there, melodies are definitely present, but they just don’t fit the songs. The maniacal vocals are fun and the little nuances in the vocal delivery is cool at times and the rhythm work is as solid as can be, but overall, this record is just a mess. Is it stronger than their last couple of albums? Absolutely, but that’s only because the bar is on the floor. If you’re looking for great new speed/thrash material, I’d urge you to stick with Critical Defiance.

FAVORITE TRACKS: “Unhallowed & Forgotten,” “Gargoyles,” “Sentinels (Heavier than Time)”

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Originally published in April '24 (Issue No. 3)