| | | Ratings (30) |
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| 0.0 | Jom STAFF | January 28th 08 |
Unsigned (for now), Ontario's Gates of Winter deliver an auspicious, stellar debut with Lux Aeterna. Best described as progressive metal with symphonic influences meets power metal (think Arcturus meets Kamelot or Symphony X meets Autumn Tears), the quartet - averaging 23 years of age - can pack an epic sound into nine tracks. Musically, the album is driven by Steve Furgiuele (an absolute madman on his six-string bass) and Brian Holmes (an amazing keyboardist who also arranges the synthesized orchestral accompaniments), and the album has a wonderfully-executed diversity of somber elegy and celestial-sounding atmosphere. Vocalist Lee Maines, who also serves as the rhythm guitarist, has some difficult-to-listen-to harsh vocals, but his command over his clean and whispered vocals is masterful; meanwhile, lead guitarist Bryan Belleau can be melodic or completely shred to an impeccable degree.
Lux Aeterna's highlight is in the mini-epic "Burning Kingdom," which is divided into three parts. The trilogy, which sees Maines take on multiple roles (something he does consistently well throughout the album - see "The Wildwood Pariah") starts off on an aggressive note with a female guest vocalist, segueing into the spectacular middle third, which leads into an all-instrumental final third. While the album suffers a bit of an identity crisis - it doesn't really know what it's supposed to be (be it symphonic, progressive, power, or a combination of the aforementioned), exactly - but metal fans waiting for the new Opeth, Children of Bodom, or In Flames record this year (alternatively, fans looking to add to their Kamelot/Symphony X/Dark Tranquillity/Arcturus/etc. discographies) would do well in checking out this 2008 debut. Recommended: the "Burning Kingdom" mini-epic, "Gates of Winter" and "Winter Flight" (awesome instrumentals), and "The Wildwood Pariah."
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | Burn2Burn | May 21st 08 |
It's pretty astounding that a band's debut can be as great as this one is. Gates of Winter created a truly original progressive metal album which can be easily used as a landmark for any other bands within the genre. The major achievements within this CD come from the aggressive and hard hitting "Burning Kingdom I: A Dark Affliction", to the softer, more melodic "The Wildwood Pariah". Highly recommended for fans of anything progressive or symphonic.
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | ericu03 | September 1st 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Nagrarok | December 31st 08 |
| 3.5 great | Zaktto | November 23rd 08 |
| 3.0 good | lobby | October 5th 08 |
| 4.5 superb | Stolen | September 29th 08 |
| 3.5 great | Zoo | August 23rd 08 |
| 4.5 superb | JockeH | July 30th 08 |
| 4.5 superb | kVick | March 6th 08 |
| 3.0 good | Thor | February 24th 08 |
| 4.0 excellent | Poet | January 28th 08 |
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