May 15, 2008
Gates Of Winter :: Lux Aeterna
CD Review
By The Atomic Chaser
Gates Of Winter :: Lux AeternaCanada's GATES OF WINTER is the complete package. They play a dark melodic, sometimes symphonic progressive rock / metal. Gates Of Winter are an extremely talented band, and the band's debut release, "LUX AETERNA" is, from start to finish, a fantastic album, filled with heavy riffs and amazing melodies. The band is powered by Bryan Belleau on guitars, Steve Furgiuele on bass and backing vocals, Lee Maines on guitars and vocals and Brian Holmes on keyboards. The great thing about the musicianship here is that while there is a great deal of talent on display here, it is never the main focal point of the music. Instead, it is there to create, heavy, encompassing sound, that gives the whole album a very dark and melancholic feel. Gates Of Winter have impressively created an opus that couldn't have been more multi-faceted and diverse. The epic trilogy of "Burning Kingdom" will leave you spellbound. While tracks like, "The Wildwood Pariah" and "Gates of Winter", exhibit just how powerful this band truly is. Progressive metal with touches of slightly dark sounds that are wrapped in remarkable structures and surprising turns. Despite, or even because of its love of detail, this piece of amazing work sounds whole in all its entirety. A creative masterpiece, which only very few in the genre of prog metal are capable of. Gates Of Winter have impressively created an opus that couldn't have been more multi-faceted and diverse. So, all in all, this is a fantastic and well-crafted album. If you're into Dream Theater, Pain of Salvation, Symphony X, Iced Earth, or any other bands of that nature, this is an album you are certain to enjoy.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
