Album
Type:
Album
Date
Released:
13th
January 2015
Label:
Self
Released
Gates
Of Winter – Track Listing
1.Open The Gates
04:17
2.The Seer's Vision
05:23
3.Four Hooves 02:15
4.Mountain Crusher
04:27
5.The Forging Ritual
05:39
6.Gates Of Winter
06:48
7.Descent 05:35
8.Intermission 04:31
9.Awakening 14:32
Bio
Blackened Doom for
weird fucks.
Members
Tucker Thomasson:
Guitar/ Vocals
Garrett Daniels:
Guitar
Jake Cullison: Bass
Jacob Lett: Drums/
Vocals
Review:
Blackened
Sludge/Doom Riffsters - Thorr-Axe - are back with a new album - Gates
Of Winter - that is aptly named as an ice cold experience awaits you
full of heavy pounding riffs. Thorr-Axe open the album up with - Open
The Gates - an instrumental affair that combines fast-paced sludge
riffs with a cool as ice exterior. Thorr-Axe makes you feel you're
battling for survival in one of the harshest winters imaginable.
The
album then explodes into life with - The Seer's Vision - that sees
Thorr-Axe proving they have lost none of their volatile fury they
showed on their last record. The band has ventured into angrier
territory with the music being a mix of Blackened Sludge, Doom Metal
and Thrash. The vocals come from the old school of Thrash and Doom
with lead vocalist showing people who's in charge. This album is loud
and angry from the start and it never stops for a single second.
3rd
track - Four Hooves - is a more thrashier affair with the band taking
influence from legendary 80s thrash metal bands with a twisted
sludgier groove. The vocals takes a more death based growl approach
that only gives the album extra weight within the passed off fury
stakes. Even though the song only runs for less than 2.30 minutes,
it's still one of the heaviest offerings on the album. Thorr-Axe
return to familiar Blackened Sludge/Doom Metal territory with -
Mountain Crusher - another song that contains an icy atmosphere
hidden within the music.
People
may remember these guys playing heavy Stoner Metal riffs on their
last album. There are traces of Stoner Metal music on the album but
Thorr-Axe have focused more on the Thrash and Sludge parts of the
music and it's a decision that pays off big time. The album is big on
great ideas and even better riffs to devour you with. It's taken
Thorr-Axe 4 years to follow up their acclaimed debut album – Wall
Of Spears – but it definitely has been worth the wait. The album
flies with violent moods and imagery that will have you singing from
the rooftops. This is old-school carnage where a band writes an
unforgiving melody with unapologetic lyrics and vocals to stand out
from the crowd.
5th
track - The Forging Ritual - is one of the albums harshest songs as
it sees Thorr-Axe unleash a torrent of fury and emotional abuse onto
the listener. Grab onto something as this is one wild ride that is
relentless in it's approach, delivery and execution. The title track
- Gates Of Winter - is another highlight that sees Thorr-Axe
revelling in the glory of the heavy and brutal spectacle of
destructive riffs and pitch black vocals whilst still including an
emotional guitar solo that will bring a tear to your eye. The last
few songs on the album takes you through the emotional pain barrier
especially the almost 15 minute epic – Awakening – that adds
doomy atmospherics to the mix for a hint of post-metal subtlety. I
wasn’t expecting that from Thorr-Axe. I hope they venture into that
realm of music in the future as it matches the albums gloomy outlook.
My
final thoughts on the album - Thorr-Axe have created a stunning
exercise in sheer brutality. They may lose some fans who are
expecting something like their debut album. I applaud their decision
going down a darker path as it gives the band a more unforgiving
identity. A stunning album.
Thanks
to Cat Jones at Southern Cross PR for the promo. Gates Of Winter is
now available to buy from BandCamp now.
Words
by Steve Howe
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