OK, I'm kinda scratchin' my head as to why Anubis Gate don't get talked about more in progressive metal circles. After all, this Danish band has been around since 2003, and The Detached is now their fourth release, out now on Locomotive Records. Perhaps we can blame the label here just a little bit, as the bands last album Andromeda Unchained was a monster and should have warranted this new one being pushed to the moon. Well, we all know how many of these smaller metal labels have struggled in recent years, so maybe the fact that Anubis Gate have not been pushed as they rightfully should have been comes as no surprise. Regardless, it's time to spread the word people-this band is the real deal, a progressive metal machine that's firing on all cylinders with The Detached, a release that will instantly appeal to fans of early Dream Theater, Fates Warning, Tomorrow's Eve, Seventh Wonder, Vanden Plas, Pathosray, and Circus Maximus. That's right, expect no shortage of soaring melodies, gripping arrangements, and plenty of instrumental virtuosity throughout this new album from Anubis Gate.
The first thing that hits you here, besides for the crankin' guitar riffs from Jesper M. Jensen & Kim Olesen (the duo also share keyboard duties, and there's tons of them here) are the majestic & powerful vocals from Jacob Hansen. Yes, that's right, THE Jacob Hansen, the legendary producer himself. This guy can flat out sing! Listen to him on killer cuts such as "Yiri" and "Find A Way (Or Make One)", as his soaring pipes cut through a symphonic wall of crunchy riffs, tasty lead harmonies, orchestral keys, and solid rhythms. Hansen almost sounds like a young Geoff Tate on the grandiose "Lost In Myself", a catchy progressive/power metal anthem that will have you humming the chorus for days after hearing it for the first time. If you like the more complex prog-metal fare, check out "Dodecahedron" , the Middle Eastern tinged "Pyramids", and the melodic speed metal of "Bloodoath". As you make your way to the back end of the CD, there's the powerful epic "Options - Going Nowhere", a near 10 minute epic filled with some absolutely tasty guitar work from Jensen & Olesen, huge beds of synths, and some fantastic vocal arrangements. Just a great progressive metal song filled with lush harmonies and so many tones and textures, that ultimately shows the true talent of this band.
Once again, I reiterate, if you are a progressive metal fan, and you've not checked out Anubis Gate yet, well, shame on you. But hey, I'll forgive you, as long as you make The Detached your very next CD purchase. Deal? Trust me, you won't regret it.
Track Listing
1. On The Detached (0:41)
2. Find A Way (Or Make One) (5:48)
3. Yiri (7:22)
4. Lost In Myself (5:28)
5. Dodecahedron (5:48)
6. Pyramids (8:47)
7. Out Of Time (5:51)
8. Bloodoath (6:29)
9. Ammonia Snow (2:54)
10. Options - Going Nowhere (9:26)
11. A Lifetime To Share (6:18)
12. The End (0:23)
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