Polish Metal Band Aquilla Releases New Album, Sentinels of New Dawn
Warsaw-based metal band Aquilla released their second studio album, Sentinels of New Dawn, today, October 31, 2025, offering a blend of New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWoBHM) and speed/power metal influences.
Formed in 2015, Aquilla’s latest work features a revamped lineup with vocalist Captain Paradox and rhythm guitarist Jaspar de Phaser joining in 2023, resulting in a noticeable and positive shift in the band’s sound. The album showcases dueling guitar work and energetic drumming, drawing comparisons to bands like Helloween and Gamma Ray. Sentinels of New Dawn builds on the foundation laid by their 2022 debut, Mankind’s Odyssey, and represents a growing trend of diverse metal subgenres emerging from Poland, traditionally known for its death metal scene.
The album is praised for its potent songwriting and all-out speed, a quality critics noted was sometimes lacking in their previous work. Tracks like “Creed of Fire” and “Technocrats’ Tyranny” exemplify the band’s German speed/power metal influences, while songs like “Mountains of Black Sleep” demonstrate a maturity and melodic sensibility reminiscent of Queensrÿche. Despite some uneven pacing in the album’s midsection and minor quirks, the overall experience is described as “frenetic and inspired.” You can explore more about the history of heavy metal here.
Sentinels of New Dawn, released via High Roller Records, is approximately 45 minutes long (excluding intro and outro) and is available now on platforms like Bandcamp. The band is expected to continue touring and developing their sound, potentially solidifying their position as a rising force in the European metal landscape.
