Torture Tunes

ALBUMS UNDER REVIEW

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Gates of Eternity is the latest release from Iron Kingdom and it is one of the most unapologetically classic sounding metal albums I've heard in a long time. Straight from the get go you're force fed shredding solos, and operatic vocals accompanied by thrashing drums and pounding bass. Iron Kingdom created an album that will feel like stepping into a time machine and being time warped to the late 70's when bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden were at the forefront of the heavy metal movement. The band formed in Surrey, British Columbia by the brother/sister duo of Chris (Vocals) and Amanda Osterman (Drums). Joining them is guitarist Leighton Holmes who has helped them be a driving force in bringing back “traditional metal”.

The albums sole focus is to re-create a traditional sounding metal album, devoid of any genre crossover that is so common in the genre today. However fun it may be to hear a release as throwback as Gates of Eternity, I feel it also hinders the potential development of the band. The band uses a sound that has been heard a million times before and does nothing to really progress the style they are so lovingly replicating. The album is extremely fun to listen to and standout tracks like “At the Gates” and “Egypt (The End Is Near)” will have you headbanging along and drawing heavy comparisons to the founding fathers of metal.

Gates of Eternity doesn't do much to break new ground or revolutionize the genre, but is it fun to listen to? Absolutely; the album will have you throwing up the horns and headbanging along in no time with its all too familiar riffs and classic sound which was the reason most people fell in love with metal to begin with, and for that reason the album succeeds in doing what it set out to do.

David Edwards, HMS

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