• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

No Remorse Records seems to be everywhere new epic metal bands spring up, this time pouncing on the debut album from Portugal's Dolmen Gate, titled Gateways of Eternity. When the acoustic guitar opening the album on the title track makes the quick change to a crunchy riff, I couldn't help remembering what it was like hearing Warlord's "Deliver Us" for the first time. The rest of Gateways of Eternity delivers a whole lot of solid riffs that flirt with doom in spots but generally move along at a steady, driving pace. The songwriting is a bit on the generic side with the songs all sounding similar but, since they are also all good, it doesn't hamper the experience much. The leads are tasteful, not too showy, and the sound is excellent, allowing all the instruments to be heard. Singer Ana has a fine voice, but her delivery is frankly underpowered for this kind of metal. I'm not saying she needs to be Ann Wilson from Heart or anything, she just floats over the music and I feel like Dolmen Gate's efforts would be better served if she was closer to the front of the mix and belting it out a bit more. It's a minor complaint and I am not disparaging her talent, so don't let that stop you from checking out Gateways to Eternity if epic metal is your thing.