Review Summary: Gospel create an off-kilter yet mystical masterpiece.
It's a shame that this is the only record Gospel has left us with in the past fifteen years now, with only some brief talk of a possible second record being on the way. Despite this being a stand-alone full-length record, it is simultaneously genre-bending and yet absolutely mind-boggling. How could a band that suddenly appeared out from nowhere and then disappear for well over a decade leave us with a project that would leave the listener just wondering how genres such as screamo and post-hardcore can be played with like this - and so easily, too.
Almost as if it's some sort of supernatural miracle, Gospel manages to further influence not only the post-hardcore/screamo scene, but they create a gem for rock as a whole; they do this with progressive infusions and riffs that merge with these smooth basslines and careful guitar riffs that seem to phase in and out of existence. This is thanks to the fact that Gospel have opted to sprinkle out synthesizers throughout the entirety of the record, creating this ethereal, space-like atmosphere that makes the record feel so fleeting and ghostly.
The drumming is especially ear-catching, with the cymbals clanging to only intensify the space-like tone of the guitars with perfectly spaced drum fills as well. The album definitely deviates from the norm when songs such as "Opium" hit their climax, living up to the progressive rock influences as Gospel throw out every trick in the book to make for a unique experience with the synths racing back and forth between ever-present bass and angelic guitar riffs.
Thanks to all these stylistic influences that the band pulls from, it is incredibly hard to nail down what Gospel is exactly; but, that is definitely for the best because if this band could be so easily defined with a genre tag or two then I doubt it would have such an air of mysticism surrounding it.
Here's hoping the second record comes to fruition!
