Artist: Gates Of Dawn
Country: USA
Label: Death Hymns
Formats: Demo Tape
Year: 2025
More or less simultaneously with the release of the split 7” EP with Sanguine Relic, this enigmatic American Black Metal act also released this 2-track promo tape that is used as an appetizer for the forthcoming third album. The releasing of a little teaser before a full-length album is something familiar to the band, as both previous albums were preceded by a similar promo. But, arguably, this promo is probably the most interesting one released under the Gates Of Dawn moniker. Not only because the band recently was expanded from a solo project to a duo, but mostly because the band’s contribution to the aforementioned split 7” EP was a bit of a precarious affair that I didn’t find all too convincing.
To kick things off with a conclusion, I am not sure whether the Gates Of Dawn track on the Sanguine Relic split EP was just a bit of song to test the waters, but what we have here is absolutely amazing. First things first, the opening track, ‘Fell Specter’ is a Black Metal track and the second one is an untitled ambient soundscape.
Gates Of Dawn is mostly known for its unconventional and experimental character, psychedelic and just downright quirky. ‘Fell Specter’ is not really an exception. What makes this song the best that Gates Of Dawn has ever produced is that all the separate elements that could be heard on the band’s earlier work are now much better measured and balanced. There is this basis of raw and grainy rocking guitars and pummelling, almost Garage Punk-like drums, Surf-like lead guitars and harsh barking vocals – which by itself is already rather unusual. But that is embellished by Ambient synthesizers, organs (?) and some unidentifiable electronics. Even when a lot if poured in rather “traditional” Prog Rock song structures, there is this undeniable tension that is built into a beautiful hallucinatory climax. Stunning track!
The second one is completely Ambient. Mind you, Ambient music is something completely different from Dark Ambient that is mostly tied to artists like Burzum, Vinterriket, Orodruin or selected works by Mortiis or even Nine Inch Nails and Front Line Assembly. This is mainly based on the early works of Jean Michelle Jarre, Tomita and other synthesizer pioneers from the 70’s. While that usually is not exactly my cup of tea, I am pretty impressed by this spectacular suspenseful filmic, yet untitled song.
Not sure how much this tape really reflects what is to become the third Gates Of Dawn long player, in the sense of the balance between (experimental) Black Metal and cinematic Ambient, but I closed the review of the Sanguine Relic split 7” EP with the words that I was happy not having to sit through a full-length. Yet, if that full-length is going to be as good as this, then, on second thought, you can count me in.
