Hell Gate – Vagues d’Amertume
Hell Gate – Vagues d’Amertume
Music-Records
Release Date: 17/11/23
Running Time: 51:52
Review by Oli Gonzalez
Score 8.5/10
Lately, I’ve been fascinated by post-metal, seeing how artists can push typical genre boundaries and conventions. Which is why I was excited to get my grubby hands on Hell Gate’s upcoming release “Vagues d’Amertume”. Good job this is a written review as I don’t speak a word of French and would totally butcher the pronunciation! Anyway, Hell Gate. A new band to me, and one that appears to be shrouded in mystery, given the anonymity of their performers and masked identities on stage. All I know is that they’re a post-black metal band hailing from France. I seem to be listening to a lot of bands from that part of the world lately, whether it’s Hypno5e, Alcest, Year Of No Light and of course the mighty Gojira. It seems like the post-metal scene is as strong as ever over there, and hopefully we have a new gem to add to this list with Hell Gate.
Well, Hell Gate made a fantastic first impression on me. They certainly know how to create an atmosphere! There’s a dark and bleak undertone to the album, and it’s dark yet so beautiful. This is most prominent in the early stages of the album, with ‘Au Plus Loin de la Terre’, and ‘Par le Fond’. While having a clear black metal spine, these two songs definitely represent a more modern twist on the genre. Mainly due to the much slower pace and groovier texture, as opposed to straight up 200bpm+ blast beats. ‘Ocean of a Thousand Storms’ however feels closer to a more traditional black metal song, especially with those aforementioned blast beats. That was balanced out nicely with some more mellow passages towards the end.
Quite possibly the highlight of the album is up next, ‘Les Naufragés’. This features another trademark cinematic opening passage, setting the tone for the rest of the track. That guitar tone is absolutely delightful, piercing above the rest of the mix. The use of synths adds another delightful melodic centrepiece for the song too. Honestly, there’s so many things to admire here.
The first instrumental of the album is up next, ‘Errance’. An interesting placement, allowing for a bit of respite after the ferocity of the previous songs. Sometimes you need the lightness to come through in order to appreciate the darkness of this album.
Ready for a bit of headbanging? Then check out ‘Wreck’, especially with the more groovier neck snapping rhythms earlier in the song early in the song. Definitely putting the ‘post’ in post-black metal. ‘Lighthouse’ and ‘Strike’ round off the album, both of them being a mashup of traditional pacey black metal, interceding with more modern elements. Especially with the synth and melodic elements seeping through the mix in ‘Strike’, which I had grown to become quite fond of during this evening’s listening.
What could make the album better? Production wise, I do wonder if some of the instruments could sound a little sharper and more crisp, though that may mean losing of the atmospheric elements. A difficult balance to get right.
Overall, this is a solid album, and one which makes me want to find out more about the band. They certainly have added their own spin onto the black metal genre here. With the colder and darker months in full swing here in the UK, sometimes I like nothing more than to just put my headphones in and to immerse myself into some great music and to forget about the world. I feel like I can do this now with Hell Gate, such was the experience of listening to this solid effort.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Au Plus Loin de la Terre
02. Par le Fond
03. Ocean of a Thousand Storms
04. Les Naufragés
05. Errance
06. Wreck
07. Lighthouse
08. Strike
LINE-UP:
Hell Ben – Bass
Hell CoXys – Drums
Hell Tiche – Guitars
Hell Max – Vocals
LINKS:
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