March 5, 2010

Reviewer: Chris

France’s Affliction Gate issues its first full-length, Aeon of Nox (From Darkness Comes Liberation) after a pretty good debut EP in ’08. The full-length starts out decently with some over-competent musicianship handling dark, brooding riffs and some heavy atmosphere. For my taste, however, the shifts between song structures aren’t too illuminating or drastic. In short, everything sort of sounds the same throughout, which some bands can pull off nicely without getting boring or bland. The first track, “After the Red Moon” left me slightly dismayed with the thought of Damn, I hope this isn’t another bad Acheron ripoff. Surprise, surprise…Acheron’s Vincent Crowley is the guest vocalist on that song. Thankfully it didn’t resonate long enough for me to throw down the CD in disgust right then and there. For the dollar, Affliction Gate is okay…just okay.

As for the rest of the CD, its strong musical presence can hold a pretty tight grasp on your attention if you’re a huge fan of death metal. Vocally, I certainly hear an early, albeit “lighter” Glen Benton, though I can enjoy this band quite a bit more than anything Deicide has done since Serpents of the Light. I can sit back and get into Aeon as well as many other CD’s in my collection, but it’s nothing spectacular or amazing that will make you open your eyes wide and smile throughout. Honestly, while I enjoy it, it’s not something I’d pick up time and again like, say, a Left Hand Path or a Leprosy. It might not be a fair comparison, but it’s merely for long-lasting effect I pull those two references from the air. It is what it is, and it’s decent, not great. I did, however, enjoy the nod to Beethoven with “Sonata no. 8 Pathetique - 2nd Movement” at the beginning of “Mirror Breakdown,” which is one of my favorite pieces of music! Not so sure how it relates to the track it precedes, but okay. Points for taste.

Production-wise the CD is a fine effort with all the instruments viable and coherent throughout, all the while keeping the vocals present, but not overpowering. For the death metal enthusiast or newbie starting out this CD is a pretty good introduction or addition, depending on which faction with which you choose to align yourself. As I said, it’s good, not great or earth-shattering. Affliction Gate has the tools and the talent to produce solid death metal, however run-of-the-mill it is some twenty-three years post-Death.

There are many other bands out there you can get into that resonate longer in your musical psyche, so I suggest you keep digging for the gems in the rough. Affliction Gate is good enough to warrant inclusion in the book of death metal, but not strong enough to bump its way through the long line towards the top of the heap.   

Release Date: December 7th, 2009
Label: No Colours /
Metal Inquisition

TRACK LISTING

1.  After the Red Moon
2.  The Worst Is Yet To Come
3.  Knights of Scorn
4.  Our Evil Legacy
5.  Cattle Burner
6.  Mirror Breakdown
7.  Inner Demise
8.  Mourning (Outro)

Total playing time:  35:26

*By clicking "Submit" you agree to the following Terms of Use. You agree not to post any material that is obscene, slanderous, or threatening, or that may violate any law of your country of origin or the United States or of international law. Should you wish to restrict viewing of your email address by third parties, you must select "Hide My Email." You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Metal Psalter from any claims, actions, suits, damages, or other costs arising out of any breach of these Terms of Use.

*Comments:

Affliction Gate - Aeon of Nox (From Darkness Comes Liberation)