Search - Morbid Angel :: Gateways to Annihilation

A death metal masterpiece for the new millenium

Justin Bean | Ann Arbor, MI | 04/24/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Is 'Gateways to Annihilation' Morbid Angel's best album? Perhaps not in terms of its position in the pantheon of Morbid Angel's seminal career. It would be foolish to compare 'Gateways' to 'Altars of Madness' or 'Covenant,' the two albums that seem to frequent most people's lists of all-time top death metal albums. Both albums, as well as the interim 'Blessed are the Sick,' were created when death metal was still new and fresh with 'Altars' being one of the first true American death metal albums. Nevertheless, I am of the opinion that 'Gateways to Annihilation' represents the most mature realization of Morbid Angel's hellishly atmospheric death metal.



The production is absolutely crushing in a way that only 'Domination' approached. The dual attack of Trey and Erik Rutan is clear as day but covered in a layer of sludge that roles like a tank. The layering of guitars creates a melodic feel throughout the album that is seems to exemplify musical evil in a way that few albums do. Morbid Angel has always featured relatively complex and thoughtful song compositions, but 'Gateways' sees the band in top form as it weaves track after track of songs deceivingly easy to swallow in their arrangement . As each track progresses, however, it seems as if you're swallowing a molten rock. And damn, does it taste good. I gave the album 95 instead of 100 for two minor reasons. At the album's mid section the songs tend to bleed into one another due to some recycled sounding riffs, but this is endemic in death metal it seems. In addition, the noise tracks that Trey or whomever in the band seems to like so much do nothing for the album.! They are short and few in number, but I could do without them interrupting an otherwise mindbending death metal experience.



Don't get caught up in arguments that toe the line which says that this album isn't good because it's from Morbid angel's post-1995 era. I will gladly concede that David Vincent is Morbid Angel's true and best vocalist, but his absence here is made up for by the musicianship, production, and song writing. Anyhow, I think Steve Tucker has a pretty kickass voice too and it fits the tone of 'Gateways' just fine.



Conclusion: To me, 'Gateways to Annihilation' represents one of the crowning achievements in death metal. Get at it.

"

My favorite Morbid Angel album, forget the one star idiots.

P. Janka | 04/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First off I prefer Steve Tucker over David Vincent in terms of vocals. The old Morbid Angel seemed to get too chaotic at times. Their more recent stuff is much more refined. This album is definitely not that fast, but it makes up for it in pure evil and heaviness. Like some other reviewer said, this is an album that you can either crank or play softly to cap your evening before bed. This is one of my all-time fav death metal albums, don't listen to the ADD kids giving it one star."