| At the Gates The Red in the Sky is Ours |
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 | Tracklist:
- The Red in the Sky is Ours/The Season to Come
- Kingdom Gone
- Through Gardens of Grief
- Within
- Windows
- Claws of Laughter Dead
- Neverwhere
- The Scar
- Night Comes, Blood Black
- City of Screaming Statues
| Ranking: #74 for 1992 | |
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On 3 Lists
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| Summary: This album features some very technical and intricate guitar work, but the album's vocals and raw production style may leave some listeners packing their bags. |
6 of 7 thought this review was well written
Melodic death metal really is one of the coolest genres of all time. Combining the heaviness of the original style with harmonized guitars and soaring melodies...well, it's just a recipe for greatness. Every style of music has to have someone really get it going and carry it to new heights. Meet At the Gates, the now legendary band that has released some of the most influential albums in death metal's history. Such albums as Terminal Spirit Disease and Slaughter of the Soul have been said by many to be classics. For the genre, they certainly are. These releases set out the groundwork for plenty of Scandinavian bands to take melodic death metal to new heights. There's been plenty of these bands since, but everyone always seems to look back to At the Gates as the first, and one of the best, ever to come out.
At the Gates was:
Tomas Lindberg - Vocals
Anders Björler - Guitar
Jonas Björler - Bass
Adrian Erlandsson - Drums
Alf Svensson - Guitar
So, how does their earlier stuff compare to their later classic albums? Like all bands, At the Gates matured over time. Their later albums, while not being as technical as this album or some of their other early albums, had some of the catchiest riffs and simply tremendous songwriting. It seems like a worthy sacrifice, if you ask me. The songs on this album are far more technical than their later releases, but the songs just aren't as ear catching and are just plan more difficult to listen to. There is rarely a time when both guitarists are playing the exact same riff. There's so many harmonized riffs throughout this entire album. But hey, that's what melodic death metal was really all about back in the early 90s, like early Opeth and In Flames. The guitars are very technical, which is a turn on for probalby most metal fans out there. Anders and Alf's guitar work, while being very intricate and technical, does tend to wear on you way before the album is over. It's great if you're into listening to constant harmonies, but I personally think this album could stand to be a little more straightforward like their later albums. This is when songwriting really comes into play.
The rhythm section isn't spectacular on here, but they certainly get the job done. Jonas' bass playing is practically nonexistant on this album, while the guitars get the spotlight for the duration of the album. Adrian has always been a solid drummer in any band he plays in. He can lay down tons of blast beats and double bass beats, but his work on here is just about as standard as metal drumming can get. I don't believe that At the Gates really wanted to give the drumming lots of exposure on here, which is kind of a shame. Adrian's talent shouldn't be supressed, but sadly, it usually is. And now, on to what most people don't like about this album, the vocals! Oh no! Tomas had a great voice on Slaugter of the Soul, but on here it's quite different. His style on here is very harsh, but his delivery and style is rather odd. If you've ever listened to Varg's vocals in the black metal band Burzum, you'd know what I'm talking about. It's rather hoarse and has this high pitched register to it. It's kind of weird and just sticks out on this album like a really sore thumb. Had they have been like his later screams, this album would be much more appealing.
The production of this album also seems to get plenty of crap from various reviews and opinions I've read about through forums and other websites. While it's more raw and the quality isn't as refined as their final album, I don't find anything wrong with it. At the Gates clearly didn't record these songs in a large studio, but since they weren't a big band at this point, it's expected. The guitars are very thick in the mix, and the drum levels are fine. The only real problem is that it's practically impossible to hear any bass lines, but it's not as horrible as you'd think.Oh yeah, did I mention the really weird thing about this album yet? I guess that I forgot to mention that there is a strong prescence of experimentation in this album. There are occasionally violin breaks scattered throughout this album, which is really quite confusing and just seems out of place. In tracks like "Neverwhere" and "The Red in the Sky is Ours" feature some of the oddest things I've ever come across in a melodic death metal record, or any metal album, for that matter. It's just out of place and shouldn't really be in here. I respect these guys for experimenting, but it just didn't work this time. Sorry, At the Gates.
I seemed to have listed way more negative things about this album than positive ones. The songs do feature some really cool riffs and some of them are actually the band's best. The album is just alot tougher to listen to.
In conclusion: This album would probably be appealing to you if you're into melodic death metal or harmonized guitar riffs. But be warned, this album's endless technicality, strange vocals, and bizarre experimentation makes this album have limited appeal to many listeners out there. The vocals are also not as strong as they could have been. Still, this album had a few enjoyable moments
Final Rating: 2.5/5 -- Average
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I think everyone in Sweden names their children the same thing. Like every band from Sweden has members with names like Bjorn, Sven, Svensson, Erlandson, Anders, Daniel, and Adrian.
Just an observation.............
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awesome review. I've never really heard much of this album, although im a big fan of ATG. but i might check this out.
I've always wondered what ATG would come up with had they lasted longer.
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For some reason, I thought I read that Daniel was in ATG. I'm dumb then.
I should listen to this since all I have heard is SotS.
Digging: Between The Buried And Me - The Great Misdirect
| | | Album Rating: 2
This album pretty much sucks.
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[quote=Bron-Yr-Aur]This album pretty much sucks.[/quote]
...
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
This album isn't that bad. I think it was a step down from the Gardens of Grief EP and before they fully matured into the melodic death metal style.
However, the violin interludes would maybe have been better if they'd been in tune and played by someone who could actually play the violin.
| | | Album Rating: 3
The music sounds like it would've been really good if they hadn't played it in the incredibly raw, sloppy manner they did. I'm really baffled by how many people consider this their best album. The music is just unlistenable for technical reasons.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Ive only heard City of Screaming Statues, but its pretty decent. Souls of the Evil Departed from the GOG EP is pretty cool as well. I love its creepy intro.
| | | Album Rating: 2
The music sounds like it would've been really good if they hadn't played it in the incredibly raw, sloppy manner they did. I'm really baffled by how many people consider this their best album. The music is just unlistenable for technical reasons.
Exactly.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
I don't think it's an awful album, but I'd pick Slaughter of the Soul over this any day.
Digging: Circle Takes The Square - As The Roots Undo | | | Album Rating: 3.5
Well, I finally got hold of this and, whilst I'd definitely agree ATG improved after this, it's got some incredible sections in it. The songwriting and arrangement is awkward but I kind of like that at the same time as, whilst it's not catchy, it's not predictable. The violin is hit and miss.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I saw this in HMV a while back. I wish I'd bought it now.
| | | Album Rating: 2
Does anyone else like Kingdom Gone?
Digging: Silversun Pickups - Swoon | | | Album Rating: 2.5
I would if they re-recorded the album
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
I don't see what's wrong with the production on this album at all tbh, I actually really like it
At the Gates' best album easily
Digging: Leviathan - Tentacles of Whorror | | | Album Rating: 2.5
I dont know anyone who agrees with you
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
there are plenty
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I still need to hear this album, I'm going with With Fear I Kiss the Burning Darkness as my favorite ATG album but this might top it for me, who knows?
Digging: Venetian Snares/Hecate - Nymphomatriarch
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
nah, that's probably the best one
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
One of ATG' best.
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