As you read these words, take note that it’s the middle of July and here in Athens we are suffering a massive heatwave. The atmosphere is suffocating, especially for us who live in urban areas and the high temperatures make our daily routine unbearable. And what could be more refreshing than a shot of massive epic heavy metal the way it should be played.
DOLMEN GATE is one of the bands that spawned from the demise of RAVENSIRE (the other one being RAGE AND FIRE). Truthfully speaking, I was genuinely fond of RAVENSHIRE, and I wasn’t very pleased with the news of the breakup. However, the birth of DOLMEN GATE and the release of this EP came as balsam to my wounded heart. So, what do we have here is a digital EP with a small glimpse of the bands work, two songs in the vein of RAVENSHIRE, with a touch of melody due to the female vocals. Indeed, musically speaking, both songs could be easily included in every RAVENSHIRE album, yet there is more to them: Ana’s vocals, though they may lack the aggression of her male counterparts, are more atmospheric, since they reminded me of the “Screaming Queen”, Lori Wilde. Her vocal lines pair perfectly with the music and give both songs a sparkling quality.
Both songs are mid-tempo, so don’t expect speed and aggression. They are quite melodic, yet powerful enough to offer an epic experience. I was really fond of “Retribution” with the catchy chorus.
DOLMEN GATE are up to something and surely our hopes are high. We are expecting much from them, so let’s wait and see.
Second opinion: Great arcane epic metal the way we love it: Melodic, obscure and mystical. DOLMEN GATE got it all: inspired songwriting, great vocals and a good sense of the epic vibe. They are creating a very special atmosphere through their music and I think this is the band’s greatest feature. I am listening to this particular demo almost every day! Can not wait for a full length (Chris Papadakis).
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
