Customer Reviews

Down

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album marked a yet another transition in Sentenced career with the departure of singer / bassist Taneli Jarva and the introduction of new vocalist Ville.

The vocals are in a rough James Hetfield style that may broaden appeal to traditional rock / metal fans. Musicaly speaking, songs have been greatly simplified in a verse-chorus rock format and use a similar formula. The pace is fast and reminiscent of Ride The Lightning era Metallica. This album is nowhere near Amok & the Love & Death EP - mainly because it falls into generic metal or dark rock.

This is still a decent album and a fun listen. Highlights are: Noose, bleed, crumbling down, 0132, I'll throw the first rock.

There's really nothing I can say about this CD that hasn't already been said! I loved it! The new Sentenced are excellent! I really enjoyed the female vocals on this CD! The only problem that I had with this CD is that Ville's vocals weren't turned up enough. He is presented as very quiet and a lot of the harmonies would be better if you didn't have to strain to hear them! Also, it is a little difficult to hear what he's yelling about! The mixing on Crimson and Frozen are much better! This is a must for Sentenced fans old and new! I used to like their earlier stuff a lot, but then I grew out of that Death Metal phase! Five years later, I heard Crimson, found out that they've had a new vocalist for the last three albums, and then I went out and bought those ones! These guys are great if you like that brutal and blunt style of metal!

One of the finast most musical CDs' I own... I thought sentenced put out thier best albuem "Amok" But this even surpased that. I am forever a Sentenced Fan! Anybody With any apriciation for fine music no matter what your taste will love this CD.

"Down" is a super-polished album with much better production than previous albums by Sentenced, and a lot of other changes, too. All the songs are short, memorable, and have great (if somewhat predictable) hooks, and you'll find yourself humming these songs long after listening to the CD. Nothing epic here, but not every album needs epics. The vocals are just right. They have a much more distinct and stronger sound than the previous singer.

At first I wrote this music off as being overly simple, but repeated listening has convinced me that it's just the sheer, smooth metal polish of Sentenced's playing which makes it seem that way, and to tell the truth it ends up being more impressive than bands that try to bludgeon you with how complicated their music is.

My only gripe about this album is that the lyrics are rather one-dimensional, and I would enjoy more variety. Songs about suicide, gloom, loneliness, and suicide. If you are the depressive type--you might find this album cathartic, or it might be the thing to push you over the edge. If you want unmitigated gloom, nobody does it better than this.

If you like this then by all means check out the sequel, Frozen, and the earlier album Amok as well.

Down introduces Ville Laihiala as new Sentenced vocalist, marking the beginning of a new era in the band's career. The album is essentially a continuation of the traditional heavy metal structures and Iron Maiden'inspired guitar style, yet without the melodic complexity or musical creativity of AMOK. Easily a more accessible offering than any of their previous incarnations of sound, the rhythmic constructions have been simplified to emphasize more straightforward riff arrangements and vocal phrasing. This results in a more direct and conventional application of the band's highly developed sense of melody, as well as a more spacious atmosphere in simpler songs.

Guitar playing is exceptional as always, with Sami Lopakka's post'speed metal rhythmic riffs propelling dark urgency melodically illuminated by Miika Tenkula's harmonic leads and brilliant solos straight out of the NWOBHM tradition. Themes of depression and fatalism define most songs, a sort of frustrated world'weariness giving this album an impression of grey-skied melancholia. "Noose", "Bleed" and "Keep My Grave Open" express suicidal thoughts and generate a negativity that has always been present within this band's sound, though for this more standard format, constructed much more blatantly and made more generally comprehensible. However, these themes contrast strangely with the more rocking heavy metal style Sentenced have taken, suggesting a kind of morbid enthusiasm for the end of it all. Songs like "Crumbling Down (Give Up Hope") and "Ode To The End" find a closer parallel between sound and theme, with a gloomier, doom'oriented approach subtly embellished by haunting female backing vocals and ethereal keyboards, and lyrics that lust for death.

"As blood runs down my arms, I feel peace in my heart..."

Laihiala is a powerful and adequately melodic vocalist who fits this new style quite well. His voice is an effective mix of melody and grit, similar to Metallica's James Hetfield or Paradise Lost's Nick Holmes once those bands started writing more accessible music. Indeed, Taneli Jarva was a strong and charismatic vocal presence, not to mention excellent bass player and songwriter, that will be missed, but his style would have never worked with these more immediate songs which call for a more conventionally melodic vocal approach. While Laihiala does not provide Sentenced with the sort of unique character and expressive identity that Jarva brought to Sentenced, he certainly makes better sense as a lead voice on this album. Samael's Vorph makes a guest appearance, providing a few songs with a darker, more sinister vocal presence during "Bleed", "Ode to the End", and "Warrior of Life".

The Waldemar Sorychta production grants Sentenced's music a heavier bottom'end and thickness of sound, giving these songs a powerful sonic presence. However, songs are less individually distinguished than before, as they each contain a similar feel and form that leaves the album less dynamic than past efforts. Taken as a whole, the album does not make the same impact as AMOK, nor does it challenge the listener conceptually or musically as Sentenced's earlier death metal style did. Down is simply a solid work of finely crafted and professionally executed dark metal/rock that initially doesn't disappoint but also fails to endure due to its lack of inventiveness and emphasis on celebrating their influences. Sentenced won't be remembered for Down, but Down will be remembered as the start of a new course for Sentenced into the stylistic realms of the more accessible, conventionally melodic, rock'style dark metal in which they would remain until their last days.

This cd is great. Sentenced kills. I wish I could have seen them live. But, that's not going to happen. Wish they didn't break up. This is a well put together album. Buy it.

Down is a blend of Crimson and Amok. Some of the deathy sound is still present, but Ville's (new vocalist) voice is still great. The female vocals on this album are a fresh change and the riffs are much heavier than Frozen and Crimson. A must buy for Sentenced fans and metal fans as well.

This is one of the best cds I've ever heard. It is a fine example of dark melodic metal done the right way, the finnish way. Everything about this cd is perfect, from the dark suicidal lyrics to the almost pop-sounding riffs to Ville's amazing voice. And lets not forget Miika Tenkula's amazing songwriting talents. This is truly a band to be reckoned with. If you are at all interested in this kind of metal, I tell you to stop hesitating and buy this now. Every single track is good, but standout tracks include "Bleed", "Warrior Of Life" and "I'll Throw The First Rock". I also want to point out the excellent instrumentals, the intro "The Gate" and "0132". Most bands don't have many instrumentals these days and this is something we need to see more of. Frozen even has three!

HOW GOOD IS THIS ALBUM???? WELL, I LOST MINE AND I GOT ANOTHER COPY AGAIN. I THINK THAT KINDA SAYS IT...

Sentenced started out with black metal origin album (north from here) was a very catchy and fast album. they have slowly evolved and cleaned up their guitar and bass sound tremendously in this album. I think that sentenced is following the footsteps of AMORPHIS very well while remaining their own style of play and sound.

i could not believe that they have managed to write such a good catchy prog metal/rock album while remaining their dark themes on suidices and death. the songs are very accessible to me (a long time fan,) and new audiences.

anyone who likes band such as INFLAMES,AMORPHIS THERION, CRADLE OF FILTH should really check out all their albums.

I HOPE I GET TO SEE THOSE GUYS IN ACTION ONE DAY!!

The best album from Sentenced, I think! I'm a huge Sentenced fan and that's why I'm happy that I live in Suomi. Perkele it's very good music that Sentenced!