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Review: Anubis Gate - Anubis Gate
Anubis Gate
www.anubisgate.com
Anubis Gate

Label: Nightmare Records
Year released: 2011
Duration: 60:34
Tracks: 10
Genre: Progressive Metal

Rating:
5/5


Review online: October 4, 2011
Reviewed by: Christopher Foley
Readers' Rating
How do you rate this release?

Rated 4.31/5 (86.15%) (26 Votes)
Review

I'm sure you all know by now that I adore Anubis Gate, I feel that each one of their albums is special and mandatory for progressive metal fans. Running up to the release of their self-titled fifth album singer Jacob Hansen decided to step down from vocal duties, being replaced by bassist and backing vocalist Henrik Fevre. This was obviously the logical decision, and after hearing the finished product I knew it was without a doubt the right decision. Henrik is of course the perfect candidate, a singer to begin with, and since he writes a lot of vocals/songs it gives an added wealth of conviction and emotion.

Anubis Gate is a masterful album, both a step forward and a step back from The Detached. While The Detached was a pristine, glistening affair, Anubis Gate takes the somber atmosphere from A Perfect Forever, adds the experience gained from The Detached/Andromeda Unchained and still manages to break new ground. I'd say this is Anubis Gate's most melodic release to date, boasting a lot of great hooks and vocal lines that are unique to the band, with tracks such as "Facing Dawn" and "Golden Days" being among the more melodic in their arsenal. In addition I would also say that this is their most progressive album, with every song having something different to offer, yet with surprising unity. Take the majestic "World in a Dome" for instance (I can't help but think Logan's Run) with its bizarre vocal lines, and each verse rocking to a different beat; it's hard not to be astonished, and the song really paints a cool picture in my mind.

As always the production is flawless, Jacob Hansen obviously still handling that side of things. The musicianship is meticulously crafted, complex and simple, interesting and creative, with no member taking centre stage. Like I said earlier every track has something different, "Hold Back Tomorrow" sets the album in motion and reminds of previous openers "Snowbound" and "Sanctified" with stomping riffs, great ideas, and an awesome chorus with expert choirs. Then we have hard hitters such as "Telltale Eye's" and "Desiderio Omnibus" that add a burning degree of aggression to the equation. "Consequences" keeps in fashion with previous album closers and is nothing short of amazing. The crazy "Oh My Precious Life" with its bizarre chorus and bluesy feel will definitely throw a few listeners off the first time around, but it's these kinds of moves that make Anubis Gate one of the finest bands on the planet.

I could gladly go on and into detail about the other tracks, but it isn't necessary. Buy the album and hear it for yourself. Anubis Gate can't seem to put a foot wrong, and in almost 30 listens I'm still finding something new to love. This is progressive metal at its finest, and I really hope the band see success from this release. There's a good chance this will end up my album of the year, and rightfully so. Intelligent, dynamic, thought-provoking, this is exactly what I expect to hear from a mature band, consider my mind blown.

More about Anubis Gate...
Review: A Perfect Forever (reviewed by Christopher Foley)
Review: Andromeda Unchained (reviewed by Larry Griffin)
Review: Andromeda Unchained (reviewed by Sargon the Terrible)
Review: Anubis Gate (reviewed by Larry Griffin)
Review: Interference (reviewed by Sargon the Terrible)
Review: The Detached (reviewed by Christopher Foley)
Review: The Detached (reviewed by PowerMetal59)
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