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MARCH 2007

THE NEWS: Barry Fischel's new group 'Fischel's Beast', are rehearsing and getting ready to to head into the studio. There are 6 songs that Sentinel Beast wrote 'back in the day'. These 6 songs were to make up most of Sentinel Beast's second release. Now, Barry Fischel and his new Fischel's Beast line-up are rehearsing these songs and will be heading into the studio real soon. Keep an eye out for a bulletin announcement mid-summer 2007.


So the Bulletin is this - we are moving along, and hope to have the band ready to record real soon.

SENTINEL BEAST 1st show before Greg Williams and Jerry Frazier replaced Barry Fischel after Barry left for G.I.T.

This site will be used to tell the story of the band from it's origins in 1983, to it's break up in 1988.

It will also be used to let you know what things the members (Barry in particular) have been up to - and what they have planned for the future.

Here I will give you a 'basic' history of the band and we'll go into greater detail in the blog entries.

THE BEGINNING: The 'ORIGINAL' Sentinel Beast was created by Scott Awes (drums), Barry Fischel (lead guitar), Mike Spencer (bass) and Debbie Gunn (vocals). This line up started playing covers such as Iron Maiden and Motley Crue and soon after began writing original music. The band never recorded but they did perform some live shows in the Sacremento, CA area. This chapter in the bands history came to an end when guitarist Barry Fischel left to attend G.I.T. - Guitar Institute of Technology in LA, California.

At this time the group added TWO new guitar players; Jerry Frasier and Greg Williams. This line up recorded a 3 song demo called 'Kill The Witch' (some of this music MAY be posted here in the future).

After a 6 month stay at G.I.T and durring the 6 month break Barry Fischel returned to Sacramento, CA and rejoined Sentinel Beast to replace Jerry Frasier who was leaving the band.

The band spends a few years developing their sound and doing shows. At this point the band was not only headling at some of the area's biggest clubs but they were also doing HIGH PROFILE gigs opening for bands such as Omen and Exodus. The band then went into the studio and recorded a 5 song demo called 'Depths of Death' (This music is now posted). The demo was sent to Brian Slagel at Metal Blade records who wanted to use the song 'Fight For Your Life' for a compilation record called 'Metal Massacre 7' (released on Metal Blade records in 1985). While the negotiations for this were going on - the band recorded 2 NEW songs, one of which was the song 'Sentinel Beast'. When Brian heard that song he immediately changed his mind and used that song for the album... and the song went on to become the bands anthem. (The version of the song Sentinel Beast with Greg Williams, the version Brain Slagel Originaly approved for "Metal Massacre 7", is now posted here. Listen to this version next to the 'Deapths Of Death' Album and compaire for yourself.

The band continued doing shows and one show in particular proved to be a turning point. Kerry King of Slayer was in the audience and after seeing the show he contacted Brian Slagel and suggested that Brian sign the band... and Brian did ( I will go into greater detail and from the words of RedRum Guitarist, Vonnie - who brought Kerry King of Slayer to the show, and repeatedly pumped Sentinel Beast to his friend, Kerry King of Slayer.)

Before the band records thier first album - Greg Williams leaves and is repalced by Mark Koyasako on lead guitar ( Blog Entery 1 - Greg Williams tells the story of Sentinel Beast, Introduction - Barry Fischel.) The band recorded one album for Metal Blade Records titled 'Depths Of Death' which was released in 1986. During this time the band was sharing the stage with bands like King Diamond, Slayer and Megadeath.

In September of 1986 Cliff Burton original bassist of Metallica was killed in a tragic bus accident while on tour in Sweeden. When Metallica was ready to continue as a band they auditioned bass players and ended up deciding on Jason Newsted who at the time was a member of Flotsam and Jetsam. Jason recomends his friend Mike Spencer to be his replacement in Flotsam and Jetsam - without an auditon - they take him - leaving Sentinel Beast without a bass player.

Sentinel Beast finds a replacement bassist, records a 2 song demo to let Brian Slagel hear the bands new line up, which he likes. He gives the OK for the band to do a second album. The band had most of the material written and was ready to head into the studio... and it's at this time that Barry Fischel leaves the band. ( The story of Why Barry Fischel would leave, just as his band is about to record their second album, will all be disccused in furture blog enteries. )