Morbid Angel -- Gateways To Annihilation (Earache Records/2000)
It's been quite some time since I've heard this release. . I'd have to
say
that the first few times listening to it overall I did not like it
because
honestly I like David Vincent's vocals more and Richard Brunelle on
Lead
Guitar. But this is far in the past however Vincent did re-join the
band.
I don't wish to discredit Eric Rutan I think his rhythm section is way
powerful. Trey worked on pretty much every instrument plus wrote most
of
the material Tucker and Rutan wrote only a few. Pete Sandoval still on
drums after all of these years of Death Metal frenzy with Morbid Angel
his
efforts here are still commendable.
Morbid Angel slowed WAY down on Gateways To Annihilation though there
are
some blast beating overall the songs are slower but very very catchy.
Just
check out "Summoning Redemption" and you'll know what I'm referring to.
The
songs are longer as well but one department that was mediocre were the
guitar leads. But the rhythm guitar pieces make the album more
intriguing
and definitely worth purchasing.
The vocal area has very little variation to it Steve Tucker doing most
of
the low-end vox and Trey is featured only a bit overall on this
release.
The guitars are tuned low I think to B-flat which makes the whole aura
of
the album so very HEAVY and transient. Everything on here seems to
flow
pretty well even though I had the little discrepency with the lead
guitars
here.
Gateways To Annihilation I think reigns in the top three best Morbid
Angel
releases to date. The others being (in my opinion) are "Alters Of
Madness"
and "Blessed Are The Sick". However, pretty much all of Morbid Angel
releases I'm content with these albums merely the highlights in their
discography. Gateways is definitely worth picking up if you're looking
for
Death/Doom Metal!!!
Rating: 8.5/10.
Recorded, mixed and mastered at Morrisound Recording, Tampa, FL.
Produced by Morbid Angel & Jim Morris. Engineered, mixed, and mastered
by
Jim Morris.
Line-up:
Trey Azagthoth: Guitars, Guitar Synth, Vocals
Steve Tucker: Bass, Vocals
Erik Rutan: Guitars, Keyboards
Pete Sandoval: Drums
Track Listing:
1. Kawazu
2. Summoning Redemption
3. Ageless, Still I Am
4. He Who Sleeps
5. To The Victor The Spoils
6. At One With Nothing
7. Opening Of The Gates
8. Secured Limitations
9. Awakening
10. I
11. God Of The Forsaken
Total Playing Time: 44:25.
Retreived From http://www.morbidangel.com/