The girls are on far more of a level playing field now in the game of all things metal, and as I’ve pointed out in other reviews, there are far more bad female fronted metal bands out there than there are good ones. Some seem to play up the “I’m a girl in metal” thang to a cringeworthy extent and really need to wake up and see that it’s no longer the novelty that will win them fans unless they have the musical chops to back up their front.
Well, Gate Of Sorrow don’t come into this category at all and I have to say that this Czech band have really impressed with this debut album. The vocals are undoubtedly the star attraction here, but that’s the way it often should be for the non-musically inclined listener such as myself, and what’s important to point out is that the music isn’t any less strong because of it. From the opening notes of ‘Twilight Above Sirius’ we’re forewarned of a journey filled with sadness and sorrow, which is exactly what these nine tracks offer. ‘Tears In The Ashes’ is a real favourite of mine, with its wistful, floaty melodies that swish alongside the soothing, operatic tones of Milada.
I have to say that the male vocals are rather understated here, with the female tones been far more prevalent although where Roman does apply his gruff, deathly tones he really adds some much needed contrast to the mix. On the symphonic ‘My Ruins’ his vocals sprinkle a deathlike layer across the music, turning everything to ash. There’s very much a doom flavour to this album, while there are also elements of black and death metal thrown into the mix making it quite hard to categorise. ‘Cursed Silence’ has a really crepuscular feel with a Dimmu-esque keyboard line that comes creeping through the darkness.
This is a solid and very enjoyable album although in all truthfulness it didn’t grab me quite as much as I would have hoped. There is a strong element of drama in the sound and overall a kind of sorrowful romance courtesy of the operatics on the album, while it remains heavy with the deathly riffs. This should appeal to the Epica and Tristania fans out there, although I’ll be holding out to see what they come up with on album number two.
http://www.gateofsorrow.com/
http://www.myspace.com/gateofsorrow
