Review by Felix on August 31, 2022.

Finally. It has happened. A dude from Oregon proves evidence that even US Americans are able to play black metal. Honestly speaking, I thought the country a former president wanted to make great again was suffering from a national genetic defect. But things have changed and now we are able to enjoy The Gates.

Are we really able? Well, it lies in the eye of the beholder. Everybody who gets in contact with this work should be aware of the fact that here everything has been heard before. The band name Ancient North has not been chosen by coincidence, the artwork looks like the twin of Gorgoroth’s “Antichrist”, the sound takes us back to the low-fidelity attacks of the old Norwegian role models and of course there is a Darkthrone cover included. No doubt, I have said it a lot of times: I do not need innovation. But this does not mean that it is cool to record an album without the slightest vision of an individual approach. Okay, just like Cold Earth, one can label an album as a tribute to somebody else and it can still work. Yet as far as I can see, the mastermind behind Ancient North does not want his way of proceeding to be understood in this way and so I ask myself whether we truly need a slavish imitation of the early outputs of this permanently overrated bunch called Gorgoroth?

Either way, maybe my answer to this question is less relevant than the quality of the music on The Gates. Ancient North, that much is true, have heard the old albums a lot of times and they are able to reproduce them more or less in a good way. The level of coldness is adequate, the simple song patterns lead directly to the abyss and the raw nagging seems to be stolen from the (imaginary) Norwegian black metal archives. Moreover, the material does not lack energy, drive or malignancy. Thus, you cannot do much wrong with The Gates, but it is easier to love the album whole-heartedly if you have committed suicide back in 1995. Little problem: if you read these lines, you have probably forgotten to do so. Thank God.

The drums sound pretty mechanized, the guitar lines avoid unexpected turns and some songs end very abruptly. Apart from the music, the constant use of “ov” instead of “of” seems a bit silly. Frankly, one can listen to each and every song, but at the end there is not much that keeps sticking in the ear and some additional layers would have given the tracks more depth. Given this situation, I am listening to a pretty one-dimensional work. Indeed, Ancient North demonstrate that US Americans can play black metal, but there is still a way to go in order to create outstanding songs of this genre.

Rating: 6.2 out of 10

Review by Felix on February 7, 2021.

When it comes to doom metal, I am anything but an expert. I respect bands like Count Raven or Saint Vitus for their authentic, non-commercial way of proceeding, but their music does not release endorphins in me. Candlemass are different. Perhaps they are no real doom band and I can imagine and partly understand that some maniacs of the sub genre say that they sound lax and infidel. Just listen to the very melodic chorus of the velvet 'Of Stars and Smoke'. I don't care. The Scandinavians have published some truly great albums and King of the Grey Islands is one of these works.

Generally speaking, it is a pity that Messiah Marcolin was not involved in this work. Back in the old days, this well-nourished dude seemed to belong to the inventory of the group. But Robert Lowe does not lack charisma as well. As soon as his sonorous voice comes in, he spreads a majestic aura which fits a title like 'Emperor of the Void' very well. Speaking of this piece, it combines tragic, strictness, heaviness and desperation in a fascinating manner. The song opens the door to the cosmos of Candlemass where the guitars sound like rolling thunder. They pave the way for the very strong compositions that flow smoothly without lacking rough edges. The songs are always comprehensible, but not primitively configured. Main man Leif Edling has forged intensive numbers. Just like so many other Swedish musicians, this guy knows how to pull the listeners into the songs in a matter of seconds.

The material relies on a comparatively small number of riffs, but these riffs carry the songs safely to their destination. Tempo changes only occur if there is no alternative. In this context it must be mentioned that the drums do not withstand the power of the guitars. A little bit more pressure of the snare and the bass drum would have been nice, nevertheless, the mix does not deserve harsh criticism. It puts the emphasis on the massive guitars and that's absolutely okay. Moreover, it matches with the material which commutes between the pretty swift 'Emperor of the Void' and the dramatic 'Embracing the Styx'. These songs build, together with tracks like the direct and stoically stomping 'Demonia 6' or the very typical, slow-moving but somehow explosive 'Devil Seed', the highlights. Yet I must admit that all eight regular tracks of the normal edition have the potential to become your personal favourite.

All in all, this album conveys sadness, melancholy and broken dreams. From my point of view, it marks a highlight in the discography of Candlemass. The bonus section does not really add value to the album, but it also does not affect its class in a remarkable manner. Candlemass were in great form in the first years of the 21st century. Therefore, King of the Grey Islands is almost as good as its phenomenal predecessor and definitely worth listening to. That's not difficult for me to judge, even though I am no doom metal specialist.

Rating: 8.8 out of 10

Review by Felix on February 7, 2021.

When it comes to doom metal, I am anything but an expert. I respect bands like Count Raven or Saint Vitus for their authentic, non-commercial way of proceeding, but their music does not release endorphins in me. Candlemass are different. Perhaps they are no real doom band and I can imagine and partly understand that some maniacs of the sub genre say that they sound lax and infidel. Just listen to the very melodic chorus of the velvet 'Of Stars and Smoke'. I don't care. The Scandinavians have published some truly great albums and King of the Grey Islands is one of these works.

Generally speaking, it is a pity that Messiah Marcolin was not involved in this work. Back in the old days, this well-nourished dude seemed to belong to the inventory of the group. But Robert Lowe does not lack charisma as well. As soon as his sonorous voice comes in, he spreads a majestic aura which fits a title like 'Emperor of the Void' very well. Speaking of this piece, it combines tragic, strictness, heaviness and desperation in a fascinating manner. The song opens the door to the cosmos of Candlemass where the guitars sound like rolling thunder. They pave the way for the very strong compositions that flow smoothly without lacking rough edges. The songs are always comprehensible, but not primitively configured. Main man Leif Edling has forged intensive numbers. Just like so many other Swedish musicians, this guy knows how to pull the listeners into the songs in a matter of seconds.

The material relies on a comparatively small number of riffs, but these riffs carry the songs safely to their destination. Tempo changes only occur if there is no alternative. In this context it must be mentioned that the drums do not withstand the power of the guitars. A little bit more pressure of the snare and the bass drum would have been nice, nevertheless, the mix does not deserve harsh criticism. It puts the emphasis on the massive guitars and that's absolutely okay. Moreover, it matches with the material which commutes between the pretty swift 'Emperor of the Void' and the dramatic 'Embracing the Styx'. These songs build, together with tracks like the direct and stoically stomping 'Demonia 6' or the very typical, slow-moving but somehow explosive 'Devil Seed', the highlights. Yet I must admit that all eight regular tracks of the normal edition have the potential to become your personal favourite.

All in all, this album conveys sadness, melancholy and broken dreams. From my point of view, it marks a highlight in the discography of Candlemass. The bonus section does not really add value to the album, but it also does not affect its class in a remarkable manner. Candlemass were in great form in the first years of the 21st century. Therefore, King of the Grey Islands is almost as good as its phenomenal predecessor and definitely worth listening to. That's not difficult for me to judge, even though I am no doom metal specialist.

Rating: 8.8 out of 10