Enter The Gates
Pitch Black, 2020
8/10
The Norwegian metalheads Sinsid return with a sophomore album, where plenty of ‘80s nods can be found in their fist pumping, chorus shouting and eclectic approach to abrasive music.
The aptly titled “Rise Of Fury” starts the listen with sturdy riffage and thumping drums as the instrumental lays the foundation for the barking vocals of “Enter The Gates”, where an the old school metal setting unfolds with a biting, powerful delivery that’s not short on solos.
An album with much variety, “Point Of No Return” leads with strummed acoustic guitars before building into a chunky, melodic, thick rocker, while “666” recruits a hint of blues to the soaring, anthemic hard rock. “Dawn Of Night”, the album’s best, then displays meticulous songwriting where a blistering solo finishes out the nostalgic landscape.
Near the end, “Roll The DIce” leads with an atmospheric, haunting quality that eventually spends 6 minutes covering several ideas around metal where sing-alongs are present, and “Freedom Of The Sea” exits the listen with a chugging intensity as the dynamic rhythm section guide the scorching exit that even brings some punk strategies to the vocals.
An album with something for everyone if you’ve got an ear towards retro metal, it’s not hard to think of legends like Megadeth, Dio and Judas Priest, when listening to Enter The Gates, and I doubt anyone is going to have a problem with that.
Travels well with: Airforce- Strike Hard; Balls Gone Wild- High Roller