Denis Gulbey is a true metal warrior. Since the early 90's, he had put out a magazine essential to all true metal fans...Sentinel Steel. The magazine featured interviews with bands in the True Metal genre,as well as reviews of bands in the same genre. Afew years ago,he started Sentinel Steel records and released the "Gothic Knoghts" self-titled cd. Since then,he has signed/re-released records on the label.
Denis is a crusader of true metal, and in this interview,he speaks about his roots in metal, why the mag/label were started, and more.
Enough of me,though...on with the interview
1. How did you get interested in metal? What made you say "this is for me"?
I remember hearing AC/DC in 2nd grade and thinking it was noise. A few years later, in the fifth grade--this is about 1983--I got a copy of DEF
LEPPARD's Pyromania and it kind of snowballed from there. For a couple of years I was listening to DEF LEPPARD, MOTLEY CRUE, RATT, IRON MAIDEN, ACCEPT, TWISTED SISTER, and mainstream stuff like that. One day I realized I needed
something heavier--was music heavier than ACCEPT and MAIDEN possible? It sure was! That's when I picked up Master of Puppets and one of the Metal Blade compilations, which led me to heavier music. When I first heard EXODUS doing Pirahna and METAL CHURCH playing Beyond The Black I was totally blown
away. But the best was yet to come. Up to this point I had not heard SLAYER, so one day I decided to buy Hell Awaits. Before buying it, the record store
manager urged me to pick up HELLOWEEN's Walls Of Jericho as well, declaring it a masterpiece. I really didn't want to, as I had never heard of them
before, but I bought it anyway. Well, SLAYER turned out kind of disappointing,
but HELLOWEEN instantly became my number one band, having all that power, speed, melody, and catchiness that I had been waiting for. And when I heard
Keeper Part 1 soon after, that became another revelation for me. I have been listening to a similar form of metal ever since--nearly 15 years!
2. Why did you start the mag? What was the inspiration?
The inspiration was Seattle grunge! I hated it. In the early 90's real metal disappeared and I decided to take action.
3. Why did you stop the mag?
A number of factors. Producing the mag without a
computer became a huge workload and by the time my third issue came out, the metal scene started to make a comeback. At that time GAMMA RAY put out the
excellent Land Of The Free and NOCTURNAL RITES had released their superb debut so things were turning around. In addition I wanted to get involved in
putting music out there and the timing was right, as the GOTHIC KNIGHTS and I came together.But the mag is not dead, as I want to revive it as soon as
possible. I still think there is a place for Sentinel Steel Magazine in theUS market.
4. How is the record label working out for you?
Great! The only disappointment was the sudden departure of my computer graphics man. Three
releases became late but it then forced me to buy a nice computer set-up and just do things in-house.
5. Why did you decide to re-release the albums you did?
Because I am a fan of their work! In the case of a band like AXEHAMMER, that one came out of no where, as it was all "new" to me. But the material was so good I was hooked. Releases like BURNING STARR and MANILLA ROAD are just old 'classics' that I grew up with. And there are more to come!
6. Why don't you sign any of the underground death metal bands from the tri-state area? (LOL) =)
I see you are joking with this question! I actually
do like some death metal (well, more like death-thrash, I guess) as CDs like SENTENCED-North From Here, CORONER-R.I.P., NOCTURNUS-The Key, and CANCER-
The Sins Of Mankind are essential parts of my small collection.
7. What do you have planned for future releases? The rest of the year 2000?
After the "late" MANILLA ROAD-Mystification and SACRED OATH-A Crystal Vision CD reissues are released, the next reissues will be ANGUS-Track Of Doom + Warrior Of The World (2-on-1 CD) and a SACRED RITE CD. I have some "new" or "active" bands in the works as well, but those are not confirmed yet. And due to the demand, the self-titled GOTHIC KNIGHTS debut album will be remixed at Trax East Studios and reissued sometime late 2000 or early 2001. I have no more copies of the original GOTHIC KNIGHTS CD as well as the NEW EDEN
Through The Make Believe CD. My first two releases are totally gone! By the way, the band ONWARD, originally to be released through Sentinel Steel, had their contract bought out by Century Media, so watch for that album in the Summer some time.
8. What records would you like to re-issue? Is it a possibility for you to do so?
I would have loved to remix and reissue the GARGOYLE album, which originally came out through New Renaissance. But NR just put it out again.
There are many other releases...in many cases the band simply cannot be found. Or the master reels do not exist. But there are other bands/albums I am looking for, so wish me luck. And I am always looking for "unknown" bands as well, either new or old, but in that power metal-true metal style. Spread the word!
9. What does a band need to be considered for a contract by your label?
All I care about is the music. Give me what I like and maybe we can work something out.
10. What can people expect from your website? Is it expected to improve business?
The website is expected to cover all areas of Sentinel Steel, and yes, the site will most definitely improve the performance of Sentinel Steel.
11. What was the first band signed to your label?
GOTHIC KNIGHTS, for their debut CD (out of print)
12. How was your attention drawn towards the Gothic Knights to give them a record contract? Do you plan to bring them over to Europe? American metalfests?
It was just timing. The second magazine issue of Sentinel Steel had been published with an enthusiastic GOTHIC KNIGHTS demo review. My little 80's metal mailorder business was REALLY picking up and I actually had a nice savings account at the bank. The GOTHIC KNIGHTS had been preparing for their debut CD but got screwed by a studio and were broke. I was blown away by the rough mixes of the material and with money in hand a deal was struck. Those were magical times. As far as tour support, I simply cannot provide that at this time. I was involved with putting on a SYMPHONY X-GOTHIC KNIGHTS show, and I would love to do more, but the manpower is not there at the moment. In order to expand I will need to add a person or two to my office.
Thank you for your time. Please provide our readers a contact address and info on the monthly record show, featuring Sentinel Steel.
SENTINEL STEEL
P.O. BOX 123
ROCKAWAY, NJ 07866
1-973-398-3436
metal@sentinelsteel.com
www.sentinelsteel.com
Sentinel Steel has a booth at the monthly Wayne, New Jersey CD EXPO. The CD Expo is held the second Saturday of each month. Call or email for more
information.
Thanks for the interview!!
-Anthony DeLuca & Chris O'Brien
-"Unstoppable Force" true metal web site.
