Sentenced has been a band that has evolved significantly since their debut release "Shadows Of The Past". Along the path they have changed some of their members and modified their musical stylings. Produced by Waldemar Sorychta, "Down" adds another strong chapter into the story of Sentenced.
Whilst evolving over the years Sentenced still maintains much of their roots in the music. At times you still managed to hear the breakneck guitar attacks and the very aggressive force of the music. Dual guitars make "Down" a very guitar driven album. The combination of lead and rhythm does not exist throughout however. Occassionally there is no guitars, one guitar, two rhythms, one lead, or otherwise which shows that Sentenced is a very mature band that doesn't just use instruments because they are there. This variance, along with a tight mixing, allows the drums and bass to really compliment the music.
While not really extreme music, "Down" at all points certainly maintains the feeling of the extreme genres. Continually holding the anticipation of extreme aggression it never quite shows itself. Instead it remains very melodic and somewhat atmospheric throughout. The points of partial aggression seem to be masked with a guitar lead, or subdoed to very mid-range power. None of this is bad though, indeed it leads to quite an original sound. The only real problem lies in the use of the keyboards. For many parts the album is atmospheric without them, but other parts it's only atmospheric because of them. That's fine and all, but at the more than occassional time the use of the synth seems forced, and although atmospheric it sounds contrived.
Nonetheless "Down" is a extremely solid recording that is sure to please many people. It serves as good middle ground between normal metal and the extremes. With a positive progression from the past Sentenced have managed to create a great album.
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