 "We are blind to the world within us, Waiting to be born."
These simple words started off one of the c.d.'s that would turn the metal world upside down. Not only did this amazing album pretty much start Swedish metal (alongside Dark Tranquility's The Gallery) it was also the c.d. that pretty much put the now highly sought after Studio Fredman and I'm damn positive earned Fredrik Nordstrom a lot of band's and label's money...
Released in 1995 from Earache Records with Tomas Lindberg (metal singing virtuoso and well... flake look at all the bands he went through) Anders and Jonas Bjorler (THE HAUNTED) Adrian Erlandsson (Now in Cradle Of Filth at least I think he's still in it) and Martin Larsson whom I don't know anything about hah.
These men single handedly wrote an album that would drop jaws when it came out and continue too long after. (Even people hearing it for the first time are impressed) C'mon that shit's 10 years old.. This was the time of Korn and I somewhere near the demise of Grunge. Pure Swedish thrash, fast 1 2 drum beats, high low high low Swedish riffing that everyone rips off now. 3 years ago I would be eluding to darkest hour and a couple others but now damn near every band. And no one can forget the larynx scraping vocals of Tomas Lindberg. Yeah he still sounds good but never again will the vocals be this honest and gut wrenching. Yeah they had a couple satanic songs (under a serpent son) but they also had very vulnerable lyrics too "Open me with your kiss of steel, end my pain set me free. For we are the same, forever enslaved." Way different than the hail Satan black metal lyrics and gore fest death metal lyrics, anyway as usual I'm rambling…. Let's start this off.
Blinded By Fear: A simple thrash song, I believe it was the last song they wrote for the c.d. they just wanted it for an opener. Either way this "simple opener" turned out to be one of the hugest songs and most ripped off riffs. It gets to the point memorable riff, fast drums, and harsh ass vocals. It's somehow heavy even though the drums are still going fast. Awesome song.. Anyway, quick dark semi clean part and than quick simple solo and back to the head banging.. You get the idea. (side note: I love how this band never showed off on solo's they just made them dark as hell)
Slaughter Of The Soul: One of my favorites riffs from At The Gates it doesn't fuck around just starts with a simple "Go!" from Tomas. (I really wanted to cover this song) "Always the same, my tired eyes have seen enough of all your lies. My hate is blind, there won't be another time we will reap as we have sown." Damn I love this guy. Proof that harsh abrasive vocals can still be catchy. Anyway around 1:58 comes the sweetest part, a heavy groove rock n' roll type riff, they make it fit without making it cheesy (all upcoming metal core bands please take note here) and just when you're ready for more thrash they bring it back.
Cold: Weird beginning, accented hits and whatever. Another one of my favorite At The Gates riffs, it's all fast with the typical intense riffing. Than around 1:25 it gets heavy and right after that it goes into another dark clean riff ala blinded by fear, than an awesome solo (I believe this was a guest solo) and than my favorite at the gates part comes right at 2:27 just drums, bass, and Tomas screaming his lungs out, if this part doesn't get you pumped than you have no soul.
Under A Serpent Sun: (The satanic one.) If you can't get it than you're retarded. This is one of the more simple heavier songs but still awesome nonetheless. Awesome dual guitar harmonies, and one of my favorite lines "Within us, the flames of the end."
Into The Dead Sky: Up next is an instrumental, not as good as the TSD instrumental but still awesome nonetheless. You'll notice a familiar theme here though, the clean part to cold but only in a different key so it sounds a tad less gloomy. This song is basically there just to give you a chance to catch your breath and let it all sink in. It also has another amazing at the gates riff around 1:08. Anyway clean guitars phaser drums... Whatever.
Suicide Nation: If you're a fan of reservoir dogs that gun cocking will sound slightly familiar. This is another one of the more popular ATG songs. This song is just about mankind in general. (Suicide Nation) I'm sure you could grasp it. Anyway there's not much too say about this song (not that it's not good but I hate verbally sucking them off and being extremely repetitious... case in point awesome song)
World Of Lies: A more groovy heavy song, kind of a precursor to The Haunted it's an awesome song but not a favorite.
Unto Others: Another fast song, with a crazy main riff and another one of my favorite ATG riffs around 1:30, soon after this is one of the coolest clean parts they have, semi-black metal but you can still tell it's ATG, acoustic guitars, Tomas's harsh vocals and some drum accents...Anyway... Great song, next please.
Nausea: Straight up simple thrash song, great song but you get the idea.
Need: I'm still not sure but I think this may just be my favorite song on this album. Just cause it's so different from all the other songs and the vocals and lyrics are amazing. Starts off like all the other songs, pretty fast and than it slows down for the ¾ chorus type thing. I love this song it has another one of my favorite ATG lines "For we are the same, forever enslaved." Which I think sums up the human race rather nicely. It ends with a music box melody and "black metal" whispers.
The Flames Of The End: Just a weird synth sounding song with simple drums and plenty of guitar feedback. It's cool to listen to when you're just trying to relax, although it's a little creepy.
Anyway, this is an amazing c.d. to listen to and it's re-released with extra tracks, none of which I find to be that important, this is the album at the gates released and this is what I'll always think of as the album they released. This is their masterpiece, their swansong, as they wanted it to be. If you like metal or metal core, the current state of it do yourself a favor if you haven't already and check out this masterpiece. Also on the re-release it has commentary from the band so this is definitely a purchase not a download to me.
At The Gates
Slaughter Of The Soul
November 16, 1995
Earache Records
1.Blinded By Fear
2.Slaughter of the Soul
3.Cold
4.Under a Serpent Sun
5.Into the Dead Sky
6,Suicide Nation
7.World Of Lies
8.Unto Others
9.Nausea
10.Need
11.The Flames of the End
5 stars |
