Release
date: 16th
March 2018. Label: APF Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Sentinels
– Tracklisting
1.Journey's End
2.Too Far Gone
04:44
3.The Brawl
4.Kingdom Of Horns
5.Gearhead
6.Drifter
7.The Extrovert
8.Convulsion
9.Capsized
10.Outro
Members
Chris White: Guitar
Ryan Cole: Guitar
Chris Benoist: Bass
Elliot Cole: Drums
Matt Ryan: Vocal
Review
Desert Storm's fourth
album - Sentinels - sees the band complete their journey and
transformation into a proper Sludge Metal band. As the band have left
behind their earlier Blues Rock driven sound for a more harsher and
psychedelic NOLA adventure.
Sentinels is perhaps
Desert Storm's most accomplished work to date with the band finally
coming to terms with their own identity and sound. Not that there was
nothing wrong with their previous albums. I'm a huge fan of their
previous albums. It's just that Desert Storm didn't stick to a set
sound. Each album sounded very different to each other.
With Sentinels, the
band deliver a more focused and well-rounded experience with the band
delivering their fair share of thrills and spills.
Opening track -
Journey's End - is a psychedelic NOLA groove based number with the
band taking influence from DOWN. The vocals from Chris are unexpected
as he adapts clean/heavy growl persona. The music and the whole feel
of the album is heavy from the start. The first song
is a good representation on what to expect with this album with songs
such as: Too Far Gone, The Brawl, Gearhead, Drifter, Convulsion and
Capsized being the other standout songs on the album.
The main strengths of
Desert Storm music has always been the close bond between the
individual members. Desert Storm have been going as band for over a
decade now. It's seen the band perform endless gigs and supporting
some of the scene's biggest names to critical acclaim. Sentinels may
not be the most easiest or accessible Desert Storm album to listen
to. As the band embrace a more progressive attitude with both their
music and vocals.
It's an interesting approach compared to their
previous albums. Some parts of the album see Desert Storm play
elements of Heavy Metal and even Thrash Metal. Though the true spirit
of the album is definitely NOLA influenced Sludge Metal. Maybe Desert
Storm need to exorcise a few personal demons with this album as it
can be very bleak in parts especially with the lyrics held on certain
parts of the album. It's not all doom and gloom as there is some
glorious guitar riff worship spliced throughout the album.
The production is
superb with the overall sound having quite a dynamic presence
especially when the psychedelic parts of the album appear. Kingdom Of
Horns is testament to that statement. Sentinels is one of those
albums that becomes better with each subsequent listen. It may not
grab you at first, as the album leaves you wanting more on your first
listen. However give this album a few more spins like I did and
you'll be listening to this epic album non-stop.
Credit must also go to
APF Records who are releasing this album. APF Records have only been
going for a short while but they have pulled a masterstroke in
releasing the new album from undoubtedly one of the UK's biggest
Sludge Metal bands. This shows a statement of intent from APF Records
that they can play with the big boys and release quality records from
a wide range of different genres.
OK, back to the album
itself. Sentinels is a brilliantly heavy album that should see Desert
Storm's profile rise yet again with the Sludge/Stoner Metal
community. This is the type of album that deserves to be heard by a
mainstream audience. The band have paid their dues and deserve as
much critical and commercial success hopefully coming their way.
It doesn't matter if
you're a long-time supporter or not of Desert Storm, the only thing
that matters is that you must listen to this album. As Sentinels is a
brilliant, thrilling and bruising encounter of top-notch Sludge
Metal.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks to James at
Division PR and Mona at Platinum PR for the promo. Sentinels will be
available to buy on DD/CD/Vinyl via APF Records from March 16th
2018.
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