Dark Moor - The Gates Of Oblivion

Year of Release: 2002
Label: Arise Records
Catalog Number: AR028
Format: CD
Total Time: 62:31:00

One of the best, if not THE best, Spanish metal band is back with their third full-blown album following the fantastic The Hall Of The Olden Dreams. Actually, the Spanish and Brazilian metal scene has become one of the most interesting new scenes world wide lately, producing a number of quality bands. With three albums and one EP on their conscience, Dark Moor is one of the more established bands.

The Gates Of Oblivion continues where The Hall Of The Olden Dreams left off - epic power/speed metal with baroquean influences. Dark Moor is blessed with an excellent, powerful, masculine sounding vocalist in Elisa Martin [yes, that is female - Non-Female Editor (PPO)]. Elisa once again impresses me and she stands forth as one of the best vocalists of the genre. The music is of course very guitar dominated with present keys. Both guitarists are very skilled and provide buckets of catchy riffing and intricate solos. The songs vary from mid-tempo to fast-paced, but always melodic and accessible. Elisa has a wide range and continues to make great memorable melody-lines. When it comes to quality this album comes very close to The Hall Of The Olden Dreams, but it is slightly uneven. While the last album was of very high quality throughout the whole album, this one has a couple of mediocre tracks. However, the rest of the tracks range from great to absolutely killer. The production is huge, bombastic and powerful so make sure to crank this one up.

Arise has a handful of interesting bands in their stable with Dark Moor leading the way. Even though I prefer their previous disc over their new CD, the new album is damn close in quality and should take Dark Moor to new heights. Dark Moor belong in the elite of the genre and with this album I am positive that they will gain even more fans worldwide. A solid and worthy album.

Similar To: Nightwish, Rhapsody, Sonata Artica

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
In The Heart Of Stone / A New World / The Gates Of Oblivion / Nevermore / Starsmaker (Elbereth) / Mist In The Twilight / By The Strange Path Of Destiny / The Night Of The Age / Your Symphony / The Citadel Of The Light / A Truth For Me / Dies Irae (Amadeus)

Musicians:
Elisa Martin - vocals
Enrik García - guitar & backing vocals
Albert Maroto - guitars
Anan Kaddouri - bass
Roberto Peña De Camus - keyboards
Jorge Saez - drums

Discography:
Shadowland (1999)
The Hall Of The Olden Dreams (2000)
The Fall Of Melnibone (ep) (2001)
The Gates of Oblivion (2002)
Between Light And Darkness (ep) (2003)
From Hell (ep) (2003)
Dark Moor (2003)
Beyond The Sea (2005)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin ES

Added: December 11th 2004
Reviewer: Bjørnar Bevolden
Score:
Artist website: www.dark-moor.com
Hits: 2829
Language: english