SANHEDRIN // HEAT LIGHTNING // ALBUM REVIEW

Do you want some Metal? Do you want to ROCK?! Then, this New York band delivers all you need with a modern edge and twist. It screams METAL! Sanhedrin is a trio consisting of vocalist/bassist Erica Stoltz, drummer Nathan Honor, and guitarist Jeremy Sosville. They have been making a noise for a decade. Confusingly, I have discovered two other bands that use the same name. This needs to be sorted.

Stoltz has the power at her disposal with both her bludgeoning bass and hi-octane voice. Honer provides a solid platform that Sosville decorates with some scorching six-string work that is both seismic and subtle. ‘Blind Wolf’ is a storming opener; it pounds in a forward fashion and has an edge of nastiness about it that will thrill the metal hoards. ‘Above The Law’ is another vital and somewhat vitriolic dose of metal mayhem, with the title used as a chanting chorus. Lyrically, it points the finger at those who use the profile of their positions to make themselves free from prosecution, making them above the law!

Heat Lightning is not all about power, there are plenty of slower songs, which provides depth, giving the listener a chance to take a breather from the intensity. The title track ‘Heat Lightning’ is a great example of this; it deals with climate change and our relationship with nature. It builds from gentle, jangly chords, which sees Stoltz adopt a haunting vocal. The song builds to its climax with a clever modern production. Lyrically, it states we have lost control before Sosville dazzles us with some great lead guitar work.

Satan puts fear into the Purists on the heavy doomy ‘King Of Tides’ the song creates a cinematic feel that washes over you, it is driven by a slow contorted riff, the sort that Tony Iommi would be proud of, the mid-section is a masterclass of technique, which see Sosville upping his game even more.

‘Let’s Spill Some Blood’, as the title suggests, is more immediate and direct. The song sits on a chugging, repeated rhythm. It deals with justice, not revenge, and once again, the quality of the musicianship is exemplary. ‘Fight For Your Life’ is a twisted piece of horror, the axe-wielding protagonist taunting his victim as he utters the threat “, I’m gonna cut your throat. The song is actually about surviving in the music against the odds, the mad axeman killing us with slicing bursts of his instrument. This is pure quality, not torture.

Now to the fastest track on this excellent album, ‘Franklin County Line’ is riotous and rampaging, Honor’s drums driving this with ferocity and fury. The song is apparently about the local Amish population, it is good to hear the band having fun and not taking themselves seriously. Fantastic from start to finish.

Heat Lightning arrives this Friday, March 1th courtesy of Metal Blade Records.

Find preorders at https://eyesoremerch.com/bands/s/sanhedrin/

Review: Paul Mace 

SANHEDRIN will make an appearance at this year‘s edition of Hell‘s Heroes Festival in Houston, Texas followed by a pair of one off shows in Oklahoma and Pennsylvania respectively. In May, the band will head to Europe for a co-headlining tour with Savage Master. See all confirmed dates below.

SANHEDRIN Live:
3/20/2025 Hell‘s Heroes Festival – Houston, TX
3/30/2025 Bangover Brunch – Tulsa, OK
4/26/2025 Mr. Smalls Playhouse – Pittsburgh, PA
w/ Savage Master:
5/21/2025 P60 – Amstelveen, NL
5/22/2025 Schwarzer Keiler – Stuttgart, DE
5/23/2025 Sounddog – Breda, NL
5/25/2025 Hell – Diest, BE
5/26/2025 Logo – Hamburg, DE
5/28/2025 Klubb Fredagsmangel  – Järfälla/Stockholm, SE
5/30/2025 The Abyss – Gothenburg, SE
5/31/2025 Muskelrock Festival – Alvesta, SE
6/03/2025 Nachtleben – Frankfurt, DE
6/05/2025 Goldgrube – Kassel, DE *
6/06/2025 Rock Hard Festival – Gelsenkirchen, DE *
6/07/2025 MTS Records – Oldenburg, DE *
6/08/2025 Cart & Horses – London, UK *
* SANHEDRIN only