This Ohio based one man death metal project ‘s second full length is a concept album. Using the stylings of 20th Century Sci-Fi Horror maestro H.P. Lovecraft as a muse ‘The Gate and the Key’ tells the tale of an intrepid band of travellers passing through a black hole. Once through this dark portal they realise they are being set up as the conduit for an alien race to attack our realm. Now I hope that whet your appetite. I got some Lovecraft out of the library this week but I have not got past the introduction and the book lies untouched next to the bog. This may get my page turning digits to work.
The Wakedead Gathering in the guise of Andrew Lampe lay down the atmosphere of deep space and ensuing terror with a mixture of soaring riffs and doom signatures. There is of course a hint of prog – c’mon y’all this is a space concept album – but the death metal is the strongest element here. Reminiscent of early Morbid Angel in style and channelling some Nile atmosphere in there as well.
Openers “Outer Veil” and Autochton” set the tone with Lampe’s vocals offering a sense of foreboding with a great bassy resonance.
The album hits its stride with “Collector of Memories” and “Masquerade in Eminence” . A delicious rumble perforated by staccato rhythms is evident in both tracks. I particularly liked the alien vocals in the latter. This is something that could have come off as cheesy and childish but worked.
The transformation of our travellers into alien beings to be used as the “key” to the “gate” of the title is completed and preparation is made for an invasion in Vertex parts I and II. I will not spoil the ending as the story has been written cinematically so don’t want to be a spoiler toting arsehole. In truth the whole thing is a little Doctor Who meets The Twilight Zone. However in a sea of flesh eating zombies and serial killer based albums it is a breath of cold oxygen less space.
This is an album which paints pictures using a rich aural palette . It is not mind blowing in its execution but there are enough great tunes over the 9 tracks to make you want to play this again .
People looking for straight ahead blasting death metal will not find it here. However if you like some changes in tempo, clever use of vocals and an impending sense of doom with your blasts and bombasts then this could be worth a listen.
(6.5/10 Matt Mason)
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