Gates of Winter - Lux Aeterna 8/10
By Jacob Brown
Gates of Winter - Lux AeternaBy having both friends in bands and by reading about other band's happenings with record labels, it is apparent that there is quite a bit of stupid, and sometimes shitty, decisions that go on in the music industry. Listening to Gates of Winter's Lux Aeterna only served to support this assessment. While the digital music medium will most likely be the major contributor to the inevitable downfall of record labels, passing on talented bands such as Gates of Winter certainly isn't helping their cause.
Best described as a combination of Burnt Offerings era Iced Earth, Symphony X, and Draconian tempos and atmosphere, Gates of Winter play a form of melodic, symphonic metal with loads of melancholic ambience.
From the opener "Life Force Rapture", the band establishes a very dark atmosphere under which both aggression and majesty flourish. This resonates throughout the album. The epic "Burning Kingdom" trilogy displays everything the band has to offer by combining creative arrangements, gobs of melody, and tear-your-heart-out somberness. While songs like "Winter Flight" and "From the Flesh" provide plenty of thundering double bass and epic symphonic moments, "The Wildwood Pariah" and "Omega" present a vulnerability to the band's sound and make it clear that Gates of Winter is no one trick pony. It is the band's ability to skillfully dance around the power, progressive, and doom genres without ever stepping completely into any of them that makes this an engaging and entertaining listen.
The keyboards, while at the forefront of the band's sound, are primarily used to create atmosphere throughout the release, although the occasional solo and sorrowful melody allows the listener to recognize Brian Holmes' full abilities. Bryan Belleau uses his axe as a perfect counterpart to the keyboards, as he knows when to share the spotlight and when to lay down some heavy riffs and solos. Bassist Stephen Fugiuele rumbles thick bass lines while showcasing his aptitude through carefully planned and skillfully executed embellishments. His presence throughout the album is really a testament to the superb production. Whereas most self released albums are plagued by a number of production issues, this release leaves the impression of a veteran band that truly understands its sound. The highlight of the album, though, is the vocals of Lee Maines. With his unique, baritone voice and a variety of vocal deliveries, Maines' turns in an excellent performance that demands the listener's attention. From powerful bellows to soaring cleans to downright vicious death metal vox, it's all here and to great effect.
So what's the verdict?
While Gates of Winter will no doubt continue to carve out its sound on successive releases, Lux Aeterna is a wonderful start to what looks to be a very promising career. Any fans of symphonic metal must add this to their collection.
Standout Tracks
"Life Force Rapture"
"Burning Kingdom I.: A Dark Affliction"
"Winter Flight"
