Rating: 9 / 10 Stars
OPPONENT is: Andy Maier (guitar/vocals), Ben Pitroff (bass), Jovani Gomez (drums)
REVIEW – With their full-length album ‘Sentinel’, due to be released on July 8th via Solid State Records, OPPONENT emerges with a focused and ferocious statement of intent. The Seattle trio waste no time establishing their identity, delivering ten unrelenting tracks that blend blistering aggression with cinematic atmosphere and emotional vulnerability. This is an album that doesn’t just speak—it roars, aches, and resonates long after the final note.
The album opens with “Overture”, a brief yet mood-setting instrumental that acts as a dark cloud slowly descending, ushering in the record’s emotional weight. That tension erupts on the title track “Sentinel”, where pummeling riffs and guttural vocals rip through the silence. It’s urgent, aggressive, and unapologetically raw—Andy Maier delivers a performance full of fire and fragility.
From there, “Betrayed” and “Reflection” pair introspective lyrics with relentless rhythmic power. Ben Pitroff’s bass tone grounds the chaos, while Jovani Gomez propels each track with surgical drum precision. “Fading” and “Running” clock in short but land like punches to the gut, proving OPPONENT can hit hard without overstaying their welcome.
On the back half, the band leans further into emotional complexity. “Forgotten” and “Shadows” stretch their sound with atmosphere and depth, showing the band’s command of pacing and melody. “Rival” is a standout—vicious in its delivery and haunting in its breakdowns. And the closer “Remember” ties it all together, both lyrically and musically, serving as an echo chamber of loss, resolve, and survival.
Throughout ‘Sentinel’, OPPONENT walks the tightrope between ferocity and reflection. The production is crisp but not sterile, giving every element—from anguished screams to delicate instrumental bridges—room to breathe. Lyrically, it’s an album about fighting with your past, your demons, and ultimately yourself.
If “Sentinel” is your introduction to OPPONENT, buckle in. This is more than a debut—it’s a mission statement. They’ve carved their identity with purpose, and this record proves they’ve got the staying power to become a major force in modern metalcore.
For more information on OPPONENT, visit:
www.Facebook.com/OpponentBand
www.Instagram.com/OpponentBand
www.Spotify.com/Artist/Opponent
