Bandname: Sentenced
Title: the Funeral Album
Genre: Gothic Metal
Release Date: Summer 2005
Record Company / Label: Century Media
Introduction
All things come to an end, and most of the time the death of a famous band is sudden and with an inevitable chance of a resurrection a few years later. But with the Finnish goth rock masters of Sentenced those 2 facts are not as certain as can be. Sentenced announced their departure from the scene and released an album to fit the occasion. A small farewell tour, and the sincere promise never to return as an half-assed reunion/tribute band. Sentenced has been around since the release of their debut in 1991, but most people do know them from their intense melodic Nordic metal album "North from Here" and of course their dark and rockier album "Amok". The Sentenced sound evolved throughout the years and not without success. They were at the birth of the popularity craze for everything dark and gothic in the Finnish music scene; only obscured by their more trendy and commercial peers like HIM, the Rasmus and even Nightwish. But the last laugh is theirs. With a fitting goodbye Sentenced leaves the arena. Rest in Peace.
All things come to an end, and most of the time the death of a famous band is sudden and with an inevitable chance of a resurrection a few years later. But with the Finnish goth rock masters of Sentenced those 2 facts are not as certain as can be. Sentenced announced their departure from the scene and released an album to fit the occasion. A small farewell tour, and the sincere promise never to return as an half-assed reunion/tribute band. Sentenced has been around since the release of their debut in 1991, but most people do know them from their intense melodic Nordic metal album "North from Here" and of course their dark and rockier album "Amok". The Sentenced sound evolved throughout the years and not without success. They were at the birth of the popularity craze for everything dark and gothic in the Finnish music scene; only obscured by their more trendy and commercial peers like HIM, the Rasmus and even Nightwish. But the last laugh is theirs. With a fitting goodbye Sentenced leaves the arena. Rest in Peace.
Line-Up
Ville Laihiala – vocals
Miika Tenkula - guitars
Sami Lopakka – guitars
Sami Kukkohovi – bass guitars
Vesa Ranta - drums
Ville Laihiala – vocals
Miika Tenkula - guitars
Sami Lopakka – guitars
Sami Kukkohovi – bass guitars
Vesa Ranta - drums
Website
Song Review
01. May today be the Day – 4:00
An up tempo opener to a melancholic album. The tone of the lyrics fit the whole idea of carrying the band to the grave. With a central subject matter like death, combined the Scandinavian feeling of pride this album, and so it may be this song, sets a standard. Strong chorus.
01. May today be the Day – 4:00
An up tempo opener to a melancholic album. The tone of the lyrics fit the whole idea of carrying the band to the grave. With a central subject matter like death, combined the Scandinavian feeling of pride this album, and so it may be this song, sets a standard. Strong chorus.
02. Ever-Frost – 4:18
Clean guitars set a gothic atmosphere and together with a pinch of bombast the band puts down one of the better songs of the album. In comparison to the band’s previous album, "the Cold White Light" (2002), it becomes clear that this farewell album has a more constant quality level. Ever-Frost has some nice arrangements and the now famous sing-along feel to the chorus. Never too long, always to the point, but with a very clear sense of melody.
Clean guitars set a gothic atmosphere and together with a pinch of bombast the band puts down one of the better songs of the album. In comparison to the band’s previous album, "the Cold White Light" (2002), it becomes clear that this farewell album has a more constant quality level. Ever-Frost has some nice arrangements and the now famous sing-along feel to the chorus. Never too long, always to the point, but with a very clear sense of melody.
03. We are but falling Leaves – 4:28
A slightly slower paced song, starting of with clean guitars and a vocal line telling us about the Autumn years, the coming end. Falling back to a nice section with just 2 guitars in the middle followed by a melancholic, melodic guitar solo. This is class. By now it’s clear that the band is building up towards a proper farewell.
A slightly slower paced song, starting of with clean guitars and a vocal line telling us about the Autumn years, the coming end. Falling back to a nice section with just 2 guitars in the middle followed by a melancholic, melodic guitar solo. This is class. By now it’s clear that the band is building up towards a proper farewell.
04. Her last 5 Minutes – 5:40
Visions of forests, 6 months of dusk and freezing temperatures hit me as this mid-tempo song pierces my speakers. Drenched with sorrow and loss the musicians work themselves through their own eulogy. This song even shows some more modern elements and a piano. I find it so amazing that you can actually hear that Sentenced has build their own recognizable style (mostly caused by the guitar players). Those clean guitar parts could only be by Sentenced. After 4 minutes an instrumental part leads us to the end. It’s been a while since I heard a band put down such nice and melancholic melodies.
Visions of forests, 6 months of dusk and freezing temperatures hit me as this mid-tempo song pierces my speakers. Drenched with sorrow and loss the musicians work themselves through their own eulogy. This song even shows some more modern elements and a piano. I find it so amazing that you can actually hear that Sentenced has build their own recognizable style (mostly caused by the guitar players). Those clean guitar parts could only be by Sentenced. After 4 minutes an instrumental part leads us to the end. It’s been a while since I heard a band put down such nice and melancholic melodies.
05. Where waters fall Frozen – 0:58
Time to wake up! Song 5 is a short instrumental in the band’s old style like they played on their much acclaimed "North from Here" album. Fast, furious and somewhat messier than 12 years ago, but who cares… They put this on the album as a slight tongue in cheek hint to the past. Nothing too serious.
Time to wake up! Song 5 is a short instrumental in the band’s old style like they played on their much acclaimed "North from Here" album. Fast, furious and somewhat messier than 12 years ago, but who cares… They put this on the album as a slight tongue in cheek hint to the past. Nothing too serious.
06. Despair-Ridden Hearts – 3:40
Another atmospheric guitar part starts of the song. There’s even some harmonica on this. Then the heavy guitars kick in again and Sentenced steadily continue there path. Then a catchy chorus kicks in and straight after the tempo slightly picks up and a guitar solo shreds through the speakers. "United we will stand, and the world falls apart", Ville sings.
Another atmospheric guitar part starts of the song. There’s even some harmonica on this. Then the heavy guitars kick in again and Sentenced steadily continue there path. Then a catchy chorus kicks in and straight after the tempo slightly picks up and a guitar solo shreds through the speakers. "United we will stand, and the world falls apart", Ville sings.
07. Vengeance is Mine – 4:15
There has been a lot of talk about this song right after the release of this album. Apparently the band ran into some trouble a while ago, when some local politician/religious person accused them of all kinds of shit. An issue that has been fought out in newspapers and television shows. Something the band was quite pissed off about, and with there last chance to make a point on one of there albums, this song was born. The anger is present, as is a choir of small boys. And probably the only song that isn’t about their coming end.
There has been a lot of talk about this song right after the release of this album. Apparently the band ran into some trouble a while ago, when some local politician/religious person accused them of all kinds of shit. An issue that has been fought out in newspapers and television shows. Something the band was quite pissed off about, and with there last chance to make a point on one of there albums, this song was born. The anger is present, as is a choir of small boys. And probably the only song that isn’t about their coming end.
08. A long way to Nowhere – 3:26
As many of the songs on this album the lyrics tell about the stuff the band went through in their careers and the realisation that the end is near. More melodies and well thought-out chorus vocal lines. Diversity within the song is high and the musicianship is the best they’ve done in the last couple of years.
As many of the songs on this album the lyrics tell about the stuff the band went through in their careers and the realisation that the end is near. More melodies and well thought-out chorus vocal lines. Diversity within the song is high and the musicianship is the best they’ve done in the last couple of years.
09. Consider us Dead – 4:51
I find it quite unique how recognizable their style of playing is. Though the songs as a collective sound quite similar, they always know a way to put some own identity to a track. Also the fact that you can hear that they are from Scandinavia I find intriguing. Consider us dead is one of those tracks where you can feel and see the snowy plains of northern Finland. Ville’s sarcastic lyrics about shooting them down like an injured animal, together with another splendid guitar solo, make this song up-to-par.
I find it quite unique how recognizable their style of playing is. Though the songs as a collective sound quite similar, they always know a way to put some own identity to a track. Also the fact that you can hear that they are from Scandinavia I find intriguing. Consider us dead is one of those tracks where you can feel and see the snowy plains of northern Finland. Ville’s sarcastic lyrics about shooting them down like an injured animal, together with another splendid guitar solo, make this song up-to-par.
10. Lower the Flags – 3:34
This must be their own attempt at a slightly commercial song. Though the verses are typical Sentenced material, the chorus does remind me of a commercial song from a few years back. Especially with the piano melody the way it is. After a key-change half-way through the song a single is definitely born.
This must be their own attempt at a slightly commercial song. Though the verses are typical Sentenced material, the chorus does remind me of a commercial song from a few years back. Especially with the piano melody the way it is. After a key-change half-way through the song a single is definitely born.
11. Drain Me – 4:33
Slightly more up tempo, typically Sentenced. More catchy melody lines and a terrific chorus make this song one of my favourites. Nice guitar work and build-up. This song would do well live. Too bad that many countries and fans won’t be able to see this band for the last time. An unexpected ending and we’re off to...
Slightly more up tempo, typically Sentenced. More catchy melody lines and a terrific chorus make this song one of my favourites. Nice guitar work and build-up. This song would do well live. Too bad that many countries and fans won’t be able to see this band for the last time. An unexpected ending and we’re off to...
12. Karu – 1:03
Karu is an instrumental played on a native Scandinavian folk instrument. Apparently it’s a short little piece with a gloomy undertone.
Karu is an instrumental played on a native Scandinavian folk instrument. Apparently it’s a short little piece with a gloomy undertone.
13. End of the Road – 5:00
Appropriately titled the End of the Road this is the last song of the album and also the last song ever by Sentenced. Bombastic and dramatic. And definitely a case of saving the best for last. This is my favourite track of the album. It’s a majestic track with a long instrumental ending in which the band shows off their abilities for the very last time. This song was also the last track they have written for this funeral album and you can actually hear that the band is carrying Sentenced to their grave.
Appropriately titled the End of the Road this is the last song of the album and also the last song ever by Sentenced. Bombastic and dramatic. And definitely a case of saving the best for last. This is my favourite track of the album. It’s a majestic track with a long instrumental ending in which the band shows off their abilities for the very last time. This song was also the last track they have written for this funeral album and you can actually hear that the band is carrying Sentenced to their grave.
Technical information
Total playing time: 49:53
Total numbers: 13
Cover pictures
Total playing time: 49:53
Total numbers: 13
Cover pictures
Conclusion
After all those years of ups and downs a band can be worn and frustrated. This is quite an unique way to end your career. It’s well thought out and stylish. The only thing that could drag such a plan down to a failure would be if the tracks would be dull and bland. Or if the band is clearly not up for recording, writing and performing their last tracks. But this is definitely not the case. Sentenced stopped when they were still fairly on top of their game. The songs are good, the mood of the album and the inevitable death are well stated and performed. Sentenced didn’t wither away, they had a glorious exit from the stage. And therefore I’ll say… Sentenced will be missed.
After all those years of ups and downs a band can be worn and frustrated. This is quite an unique way to end your career. It’s well thought out and stylish. The only thing that could drag such a plan down to a failure would be if the tracks would be dull and bland. Or if the band is clearly not up for recording, writing and performing their last tracks. But this is definitely not the case. Sentenced stopped when they were still fairly on top of their game. The songs are good, the mood of the album and the inevitable death are well stated and performed. Sentenced didn’t wither away, they had a glorious exit from the stage. And therefore I’ll say… Sentenced will be missed.
Rating
Music: 8,5
Sound: 8
Extra's: n/a
Total: 8.25
Music: 8,5
Sound: 8
Extra's: n/a
Total: 8.25
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