UMUR
"Sentient" is the debut full-length studio album by US, Chicago based death metal act Nucleus. The album was released through Unspeakable Axe Records in April 2016. Nucleus was formed in 2012 and have released a demo and two EPs before "Sentient". The band consists of Dave Muntean (guitars, vocals), Dan Ozcanli (guitars, vocals), Ryan Reynolds (bass), and Pat O'Hara (drums).
The music on the 9 track, 37:55 minutes is early 90s influenced death metal. The sound production provides the album with a more contemporary sound, but it´s by no means a clean and polished sound. "Sentient" is a powerful and raw sounding release, but the sound is detailed enough to make out every instrument in the mix. The material is decent enough and it´s also relatively memorable, but "Sentient" is not exactly the most original sounding death metal release out there. I hear a slight Grave influence here and there, but Nucleus aren´t clones or anything like that. They just don´t have a unique sound either.
Fortunately they are skilled musicians, who perform their music with both skill and conviction, and the well sounding production also provides "Sentient" with a quality stamp, and that actually goes a long way, even if a more distinct sound is desirable. A 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating isn´t all wrong.