Sentenced - Crimson

Year of Release: 2000
Label: Century Media
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 60:00:00

Sentenced are a Finnish band who have released 9 CDs since their debut North From Here was released in 1993. They emerged from the early 90s death metal underground scene and pushed on in their quest to find their own unique style. I must say that I couldn't quite grasp any death metal inspired elements in their songs from Crimson. The guys in Sentenced are excellent musicians who know how to focus on songwriting. The first thing that made an impression on me was the catchy choruses, powerful groove and strong melodies. The songs stick in your mind the first time you hear them!

There style can best be described as gothic hard rock, heavily inspired by British heavy metal bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. This is mainly due to the extensive use of twin-guitar melody-lines. Each song has a strange, yet beautiful melancholic sense around it, which really caught my ear and made me want to hear more. The use of heavy guitar riffs, clean guitar passages accompanied by rich piano chords and strong male vocals are the main ingredients. Sometimes reminding me of old Paradise Lost, another great gothic band.

If I had to pick my favourite songs from this CD it would have to be the opening track "Bleed In My Arms" and "Broken." These two tracks represent Sentenced well and reflect what strong song writers they are. The production is clear-cut and well balanced, and fits the band's dark sound. No complaints here. Great guitar sound by the way! This is the first album that the band has been responsible for the whole production. They did a good job!

The only thing I would like to say is that this is an album full of captivating tunes. It's heavy, but not to heavy. I reckon that even fans of normal rock would like this CD too, but don't get me wrong, there's plenty of power and tension here for die hard metal heads.

The band split up in 2005. In February 2009, guitarist Miika Tenkula passed away. - ed. 12/2009

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]

Tracklisting:
Bleed In My Arms / Home In Despair / Fragile / No More Breathing As One / Broken / Killing Me Killing / You / Dead Moon Rising / The River / One More Day / With Bitterness And Joy / My Slowing Heart

Musicians:
Ville Laihiala - vocals
Miika Tenkula - lead guitar
Sami Lopakka - guitars
Sami Kukkohovi - bass
Vesa Ranta - drums

Discography:
Shadows Of The Past (1992)
North From Here (1993)
Amok (1995)
Love And Death (ep) (1995)
Down (1996)
Story: A Recollection (1998)
Frozen (1998)
Crimson (2000)
The Cold White Light (2002)
The Funeral Album (2005)
The Coffin - The Complete Discography (2009)

Buried Alive (DVD) (2006)

Genre: Other

Origin FI

Added: January 31st 2005
Reviewer: Dylan
Score:
Artist website: www.sentenced.org
Hits: 1627
Language: english