LABEL REPORT: SENTINEL STEEL RECORDS

There are many labels out there and lately here and there so-called re-issue/re-release label pop up all around the world. SENTINEL STEEL RECORDS is an American label, settled in New Jersey, and they release both old and new material, but almost all the released music is pure 80s Melodic US Power Metal. The label has done 12 releases so far, of which 3 have been reviewed by us a few weeks ago (but I included them in this label special as well, just scroll down below). In this label special report I will discuss their other 9 CDs, all released the past few years. First off, let me introduce you the owner of the label, Denis Gulbey. I asked him to fill in a form, so we know who the owner of the label really is…

NAME/AGE/BIRTHPLACE: Denis Gulbey, age 29, Massachusetts USA
FIRST 45" SINGLE: I don't really know...maybe Styx or Pat Benatar?
FIRST LP: Billy Joel 'Glass Houses'
FIRST CD: Venom 'Calm Before the Storm' and/or Manowar 'Kings of Metal'
FAVORITE BANDS: Agent Steel, Helloween, Iced Earth, Iron Maiden, Manilla Road, Rhapsody, and many others.
FAVORITE ALBUMS: Agent Steel 'Unstoppable Force', Helloween 'Keeper of the 7 Keys Part 1', Iced Earth 'Night of the Stormrider', Iron Maiden 'Powerslave', Manilla Road 'Out of the Abyss', Rhapsody 'Symphony of Enchanted Lands', Riot 'Thundersteel' and many others. Non-metal albums would definitely include Abba 'Gold'.
FAVORITE SONGS: Agent Steel's "Chosen To Stay" and "The Rager", Helloween's "Ride the Sky", "Phantoms of Death",
and "I'm Alive", Iced Earth's "The Path I Choose", Riot's "Flight of the Warrior" and "Fight or Fall", and dozens of others.
FAVORITE CONCERTS: A Manowar/Gothic Knights show in New Jersey in the late 1990s was a good one; also the
Gamma Ray/Hammerfall/Jag Panzer tour from 1996 (or 1997) I saw in Europe. Anthrax/Exodus/Celtic Frost in 1987 in
Boston; Metal Church in 1989.
FAVORITE MOVIES: Back to the Future, Last of the Mohicans, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and many others...
FAVORITE COUNTRIES: USA to live; to visit, I have enjoyed Turkey, Germany, Belgium, Greece, Italy and many other
places.
FAVORITE CITIES: I am familiar with and enjoy tremendously New York, Boston, Istanbul, Izmir and a few others. Cities I visited and found to be very interesting include Hamburg, Zurich, Antwerp, Athens, Cairo, and others.
FAVORITE FOODS: rice, all varieties of potato, fish, chicken, bakery breads....
FAVORITE SPORT: hockey

Now you know a little with whom we are dealing here, a real die-hard metal fan. On his label SENTINEL STEEL RECORDS are mostly US bands, except the Columbian band LEGEND MAKER (with an American singer though) and the Dutch band ANGUS. The other bands are all American, and also mostly 80s US Power Metal bands playing in the style of RIOT, ANVIL, IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST… All the releases on the label come with extended liner notes, pictures of the band, extra information, biographies and impressive artwork, all put into the CD booklets, but every release also has a poster, so there's a lot more to enjoy than just listening to the music on the disc. Well, here's a list of all the releases on SENTINEL STEEL RECORDS, and below you can read the review of each album.

RELEASES ON SENTINEL STEEL RECORDS http://www.sentinelsteel.com

ANGUS - TRACK OF DOOM AND WARRIOR OF THE WORLD
ATTACKER - BATTLE AT HELM'S DEEP + 4 BONUS TRACKS
ATTACKER - THE SECOND COMING + 3 BONUS TRACKS
AXEHAMMER - LORD OF THE REALM
BURNING STARR - NO TURNING BACK + 2 BONUS TRACKS
GOTHIC KNIGHTS - KINGDOM OF THE KNIGHTS
LEGEND MAKER - THE PATH TO GLORY
MANILLA ROAD - MYSTIFICATION + 1 BONUS TRACK
SACRED OATH - A CRYSTAL VISION + 4 BONUS TRACKS
SACRED RITE - RITES OF PASSAGE VOLUME 1
SACRED RITE - RITES OF PASSAGE VOLUME 2
VARIOUS BANDS - TRUE METAL TRIUMPHANT VOLUME 1: A SENTINEL STEEL COLLECTION

ANGUS - TRACK OF DOOM AND WARRIOR OF THE WORLD

ANGUS was one of many Dutch bands that played melodic metal in the 1980s. I remember it very well that almost every city/town over here had a few bands playing melodic metal a la UK heroes IRON MAIDEN, one of the most popular metal
bands in Holland. So many bands tried to play in the same style, and one of them was the Amsterdam settled band ANGUS. This band released 2 LPs and a 12" of the MADONNA (!) cover "Papa don't preach" (renamed to "Papa don't freak"), and
then vanished into obscurity. SENTINEL STEEL RECORDS has re-issued both LPs onto one CD, which has a playing length of over 70 minutes. Fans of 80s melodic metal a la DIO, IRON MAIDEN… will love this CD a lot, with such good songs like "Track of doom", "The gates", "Wwarriors of the world", "Black despair", "Freedom fighter" and "If God's in heaven". Back in the 1980s we had so many good Dutch bands, not only the well-known acts like VANDENBERG, PICTURE, HELLOISE, HIGHWAY CHILE, EMERGENCY, ZINATRA, etc, but also many underground acts like this ANGUS. I'm glad an American label has now re-issued both albums of this lost band onto one disc, so it will be easier to get for people who always looked for this band's music. The band is currently working on new material for a complete new CD!

(Points: 8.0 out of 10)

ATTACKER - BATTLE AT HELM'S DEEP + 4 BONUS TRACKS

ATTACKER was a New Jersey settled band and METAL BLADE RECORDS did the original release of their debut album 'Battle at helm's deep' in 1985. The lack of support by that label, due to the huge support they gave to bands like SLAYER, led to a break with Metal Blade (and their follow-up being released on a different label, read more in other ATTACKER review), and so the pure 80s melodic metal of ATTACKER never got the attention it deserved. 'Battle at helm's deep' is definitely one of the strongest releases on SENTINEL STEEL RECORDS, as this album contains fantastic classic 80s US Melodic Power Metal, not too far away from the early sounds of FATES WARNING. There are many highlights on the album, such as "The hermit", "Downfall", "Disciple", "Call on the attacker" and "Trapped". This re-issue comes with 4 bonustracks as well, such as the demo version of "Disciple", which somehow sounds a bit more commercial than the original version on this CD. Anyway, this album is a total must for anyone into classic 80s US Melodic Power Metal. The story of ATTACKER continues below…

(Points: 8.5 out of 10)

ATTACKER - THE SECOND COMING + 3 BONUS TRACKS

Also re-issued by SENTINEL STEEL RECORDS is the second album of ATTACKER, originally released on the New York based label Mercenary Records, after the band left Metal Blade Records. This album saw the band moving into a heavier style, less melodic than their wonderful debut. The band was now playing thrashy Power Metal, kind of like ICED EARTH is doing nowadays. The band also had a different singer for this album, John Leone, who sadly died of cancer. The final album of ATTACKER is a true must for fans of real Metal, like JUDAS PRIEST, OMEN and METAL CHURCH. Fans of those bands will dig songs like "Lords of thunder", "Zero hour", "The madness" and "Emanon" (hello PRIEST). However, I think the best songs are "Captives of babylon" (good progressive metal), "Desecration" (another good prog metal tune) and "Revelations of evil" (progressive melodic metal, with a calmer part, very impressive song). So, there's a difference in style between the two releases of AYTTACKER, however both are filled with pure 80s metal. It's up to you if you go for a more melodic approach ('Battle') or a straight-ahead pure Metal record ('The second coming').

(Points: 7.5 out of 10)

AXEHAMMER - LORD OF THE REALM

AXEHAMMER was one of those many 80 LA bands that recorded an album and shopped their demo to many labels, but never were allowed to release an official LP. Unlike many other bands in LA at that time, AXEHAMMER played Melodic Metal, and maybe therefore they never got signed, as labels were more interested in finding the next CRUE or RATT, then
release a pure Metal album. Now, SENTINEL STEEL RECORDS has released the recordings of AXEHAMMER on an official CD, so 18 years after the songs of AXEHAMMER were recorded, the band finally got the attention they deserved in
the first place. There are only 8 tracks on the CD, but what you get is a true melodic metal gem, with as highlights "Princess", "Sands of time", "Break down the walls", "Wings of fire" (hello PRETTY MAIDS!) and "Sword and shield". The band featured the excellent lead singer Bill Ramp, but like many other singers of Metal bands from the mid 1980s, nobody knows where he is at the moment. Anyway, fans of 80s melodic metal need to check out this release as soon as possible.

(Points: 8.0 out of 10)

BURNING STARR - NO TURNING BACK + 2 BONUS TRACKS

Guitarist JACK STARR was quite a busy guy in the 1980s, releasing many records. First with his former band VIRGIN STEELE, and later as solo artist and with his own band BURNING STARR. One of his releases was 'No turning back', and this re-issue contains two extra bonustracks from a recording session in 1987. Although Jack changed his musicstyle quite a
few times (which can be heard best on his 'Rock the American way' and 'Strider' albums), his passion for pure 80s melodic metal is notable on most of his releases. Especially 'No turning back', the re-issue we're talking about here, is an instant classic for fans of 80s melodic metal a la IRON MAIDEN, VIRGIN STEELE… Especially the first 3 songs are fantastic high quality melodic metal pieces, the uptempo rockers "No turning back" and "Light in the dark" and the semi melodic rockballad "Fire and rain". Another highlight is the uptempo melodic heavy rocker "Run for your life". This album is highly recommended to fans of guitar orientated melodic heavy rock/metal like IRON MAIDEN, RIOT… Still I wonder what Jack is up to nowadays, as his last recording dates back to 1994 when he played in a band called OXYGEN.

(Points: 8.5 out of 10)

GOTHIC KNIGHTS - KINGDOM OF THE KNIGHTS

Out of Brooklyn, New York comes this Power Metal band called GOTHIC KNIGHTS. This hot new band is playing in the style of the European acts, although there's also a clear reference to 80s US Power Metal acts. The sound and production of their debut CD is very impressive, and a lot of the included 8 songs are very good. The band's lead singer Bryan Avatar is doing a great job, his voice is very impressive. Especially the beginning is quite sensational, with such tracks like "At dawn you die" (great faster melodic power metal), "War in the sky" (nice melodic metal) and "Ring of souls" (great melodic progressive 80s US power metal). The rest of the CD is not that good, but still enjoyable for the fan of real metal. Highly recommended to fan of PRIEST, JAG PANZER and SAVATAGE.

(Points: 8.0 out of 10)

LEGEND MAKER - THE PATH TO GLORY

Here's another quality release on SENTINEL STEEL RECORDS, and one of the few new bands signed to the label. LEGEND MAKER comes out of Columbia, and they have an American lead singer called Michael Grant (from ONWARD). There are only 6 tracks on the CD, but happily they have a long-playing time, so there's enough to enjoy on this release. Comparisons can be made to bands like ANGRA, HEAVENLY, LABYRINTH, BLIND GUARDIAN… Just listen to the first track "Leonelda", as this is a fast European Power Metal song with a very melodic chorus that reminds me a lot of aforementioned bands. Other highlights are "To hell or to heaven" (good uptempo melodic metal) and "Story" (best song, great straight-ahead uptempo melodic heavy rocker, playing length of 11 minutes!). The musical qualities of the musicians of this South American band are from a very high level, and then with such an amazing melodic lead singer, you can't possible go wrong. This band is recommended to fans of ANGRA, BLIND GUARDIAN and that type of melodic power metal.

(Points: 8.0 out of 10)

MANILLA ROAD - MYSTIFICATION + 1 BONUS TRACK

MANILLA ROAD is one of those legendary American bands from the 1980s. They released many albums, and 'Mystification' is one of them, now re-issued on CD by SENTINEL STEEL RECORDS. Originally it was released on the French label BLACK DRAGON RECORDS, but hard to get the past couple of years, so this re-issue (with one bonustrack) is more than welcome for the fans of the band. MANILLA ROAD mixed up all kinds of metal influences (Doom, Speed, Power) and ending up sounding like a cross between PRIEST, MANOWAR and JAG PANZER, with high pitched (almost screaming) vocals. They surely got their own style, but it's something you got to love or hate. I think their best song is "Mystification", a great semi melodic rockballad. As for the rest, it's not bad at all, but will mainly attract those of you who like their metal to sound as non-commercial as possible. This is not the strongest release on SENTINEL STEEL RECORDS I'm afraid.

(Points: 7.0 out of 10)

SACRED OATH - A CRYSTAL VISION + 4 BONUS TRACKS

SACRED OATH was a melodic progressive power metal from the US, and SENTINEL STEEL RECORDS re-issued their only album, together with 4 bonustracks that were recorded in 1998, ten years after the split up of the band. Basically, this album is another good typical 80s melodic metal album, with those high-pitched vocals you could hear on many records from that decade (in all Hard Rock styles!). The best songs are "Two powers", "A crystal vision" (excellent long guitarsolo) and
"Message to the children". The new-recorded bonustracks are a bit less interesting, as "The invocation" and "The end" border on the edge of Thrash Metal. All together, this is interesting for fans of pure 80s melodic power metal, with high-pitched vocals (let's say a cross between MERCYFUL FATE, AGENT STEEL and early FATES WARNING).

(Points: 7.5 out of 10)

SACRED RITE - RITES OF PASSAGE VOLUME 1

SACRED RITE was one of the few bands out of the American State Hawaii. They released 3 albums in the mid 80s, and also an album under the monniker SABRE before they changed their name to SACRED RITE in 1984. After the release of their last LP 'Is nothing sacred' in 1986, it became quiet. Now, 15 years later the American label SENTINEL STEEL RECORDS has released two CDs of SACRED RITE, containing together about 132 minutes of music. These two discs are not only a total must for all dedicated fans of the band, but also highgly recommended to anyone into classical 80s melodic metal in the style of FATES WARNING, IRON MAIDEN, TYGERS OF PAN TANG, LEATHERWOLF, URIAH HEEP, LIZZY BORDEN, RUSSIANS, QUEENSRYCHE… Disc one is the best CD, containing many great songs, such as "Angels never die" (great melodic heavy rocker a la TYGERS OF PAN TANG), "R.I.P." (calm start, but later great midtempo melodic hardrock, very strong song, a bit like URIAH HEEP), "Executioner - Live" (live version, another great midtempo metal tune with a melodic chorus, very much like HEEP, TYGERS OF PAN TANG), "The blade" (a SABRE demo, excellent guitarplay can be heard on this tune) and "I will survive". This last mentioned song is maybe the best song of SACRED RITE, or should I say of SABRE, because it is one of the tracks of that SABRE demo LP that was released just before the first SACRED RITE album. Anyway, "I will survive" is a great melodic rockballad, with an uptempo part towards the end. The song itself has a playing length of 8 1/2 minutes and is just pure Y AND T ("I believe in you" period). This is just one of many highlights on 'Rites of passage volume 1'. Below you can read about the 2nd CD of SACRED RITE released by SENTINEL STEEL RECORDS.

(Points: 8.5 out of 10)

SACRED RITE - RITES OF PASSAGE VOLUME 2

Part two continues the story of the Hawaii settled Metal band SACRED RITE. The first 3 songs ("Teaser", "Ritual" and "Headfirst") on this disc show no mercy, and are pure early 80s fast N.W.O.B.H.M. type of songs, very much akin to the very first album of TYGERS OF PAN TANG. The rest of the CD is a bit different, more melodic hardrock/metal and even show the diversity of the band, such as on the commercial trip "Cold hearted girl", still an excellent 80s LA melodic metal tune a la ROUGH CUTT. Other highlights are "1812: the battle" (midtempo melodic metal), "I will survive" (the SACRED RITE version of the SABRE classic), "Eleanor rigby" (a surprisingly excellent cover of THE BEATLES classic), "The last rites" (HUGE melodic metal!), "As it was told" (fantastic semi melodic rockballad), "Son of souls" (a SABRE song, pure MAIDENish melodic metal) and "The blade" (another SABRE song, with excellent guitarwork, was also featured on disc one). In general, what you get here are two full-length discs of excellent high quality 80s melodic metal, and besides, the CD booklets contain interesting extended liner notes, lyrics of all included SACRED RITE songs and some nice pictures of one of the leading bands from Hawaii back in the 1980s. I wonder if we ever can hear something new of this band.

(Points: 8.5 out of 10)

VARIOUS BANDS - TRUE METAL TRIUMPHANT VOLUME 1: A SENTINEL STEEL COLLECTION

Finally, SENTINEL STEEL RECORDS also put out a compilation disc, with tracks taken from their releases. Included bands are GOTHIC KNIGHTS, LEGEND MAKER, ATTACKER, AXEHAMMER, BURNING STARR, MANILLA ROAD, SACRED OATH and ONWARD. That last band is maybe one of the best bands on this compilation, as their included two songs (which are titled "Kindness of strangers" and "Waterfall enchantress") are both excellent classic melodic metal like a mix between early FATES WARNING and HELLOWEEN. The band released two albums so far on CENTURY MEDIA, go check them out, or first listen to the 2 songs on this compilation.

(Points: -)