Anubis Gate - Purification


Year of Release: 2004
Label: Locomotive Music
Catalog Number: LM183
Format: CD
Total Time: 51:34:00

While most of the progressive metal world eagerly awaited the next release from their favorite artist, Anubis Gate silently slipped this disc in and pummeled the hell out of lucky listeners who grabbed this one. Purification is a melodic metal gem uniquely blending 80's style metal riffs with some dark ambience of modern day prog, but neatly wrapped in a veil of some past Egyptian sounds of evil and mystery. This isn't your run of the mill metal by any means. While not considered an all out assault of progressive metal as we know it, the band certainly injects the music with some nifty twists and turns to mix things up a bit.

The closest comparison I can come up with would be a modern day House of Spirits. Lots of the melodies and choruses pay homage to that great band of prog metal lovers, and even the singer, Torben Askholm, pays much homage to the HoS vocalist Olaf Bilic. Anubis Gate adds a mysterious shroud around their music, an almost eerie feeling of loneliness while banging out 80's style metal riffs that will keep the avid headbanger moving along at a good clip.

The music itself is mostly mid-tempo paced metal, with extremely melodic verses and choruses, which the band never loses sight of. Some ambient keyboards are added along the way, mostly for fillers and atmospheric background. Those of you who remember the underground legendary prog metal band Lord Bane will know of this Egyptian-like atmosphere that I speak of here. Chunky guitar riffs abound, consistent drumbeats, and clean vocals dominate the sound, with atmospheric keyboards placed neatly in the background to create this interesting music that keeps you coming back for more. You'd never know that some (or most) of the members in the band have a background in thrash.

Anubis Gate is firmly entrenched in the melodic side of metal at the moment, with an emphasis on melodies first and foremost, with the added bonus atmosphere giving them that unique overall sound.

Vocalist Torben Askholm easily puts the goods on the table, conveying the lyrics in a wonderful attitude-filled style, which really reminds me of a pissed off Olaf Bilic from House of Spirits. Try to imagine Olaf Bilic really pissed, with an attitude, and you have what Torben Askholm sounds like. His way of bringing the subject matter of inner demons and inner turmoil is natural and convincing. He never overpowers the music, nor does the music overpower him. The balance between singer and music is perfect.

The production can go either way for the listener. Purification is built on atmosphere; therefore the sound must be produced as such. This is a huge, cavernous sound indeed, utilizing heavily triggered drums, tons of reverb, giving the impression that the disc was actually recorded in an underground Egyptian tomb filled with mummies of ancient kings and princes. At times, the reverb can be a bit overpowering, and if you use a subwoofer, this can be somewhat annoying at times. The bottom end is really boomy, but still heavy, like someone was playing bass in a cave with a bottomless pit. Given your tolerance for this style of sound, it could go either way for you. I think it fits perfectly with the lyrics, artwork, and overall theme and feeling of the music.

Anubis Gate has come up with something really special here. The familiar style of metal injected with this spooky atmosphere and sinister vocals make this disc a winner and one that really begs to be listened to over and over again. I'm really looking forward to the next by this band, and I'm sure they are going to really please and surprise everyone as they already have with this wonderful release.


Tracklisting:
Hall Of Two Truths / Downward Spiral / Purification / Hypernosis / In The Comfort Of Darkness / Before Anubis / I, Demon / The Shadow / Discrowned / Kingdom Of Duat

Musicians:
Torben Askholm - vocals
Morten S?rensen - drums
Jesper M. Jensen - guitars (rhythm & occassional lead), bass & synthesizers

Guests:

Kim Olesen - some lead guitars & synthesizers
Henrik Fevre - harmony vocals

Discography:
Purification (2004)
A Perfect Forever (2005)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin DK

Added: April 19th 2005
Reviewer: Larry "LarryD" Daglieri

Artist website: www.anubisgate.com
Hits: 2610
Language: english

  

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