Sixth Morbid Angel album arrived about 2 years ago and lot has happened during that time, in and outside the band. Erik Rutan left the band to concentrate on Hate Eternal and Alas. Bassist/vocalist Steve Tucker has left the band recently. Hopefully Morbid Angel find replacements to fill these gaps and put out another masterwork.

'Gateways to Annihilation', the "G" album, is a masterwork in my book. After patchy 'Formulas Fatal to the Flesh' (1998) Trey Azagthoth and the crew were clearly determined to make an album, that can and will stand next to the classic ones. With all skills learned during the years, this is where they were united.

Beginning with voice of frogs, weird, other-worldly atmosphere is set in straight from the start. The music is based on universal rhythm, cosmic "heartbeat". 'Summoning Redemption' begins with mid-paced double kick drum beat, heavy shredding riff and sounds simple in M.A. standards, and those frogs... However, it soon starts to mutate into weirder things, as one would expect from the band. This is just an "easy" introduction. The music is varying, from quite simple to incredible playing, from slow doom to ultra-fast bash. The variety isn't too big, but just right, The slowest pieces aren't as godly as 'God of Emptiness', sadly, but not much behind. This isn't showing off with fastest metal ever, but this is more about atmosphere, something wicked coming your way. Actually the music is pretty slow for a big part. There's some small details, which enrich the music even more. Different guitar sounds, instrumental piece 'Awakening' and more. However, this isn't the most warped M.A. record to date to tell the truth, but one of the most whole.

The band have truly own style and sound. Azagthoth's "backwards"-playing style with a 7-string axe, Rutan's liking for fast speed, Pete "Commando" Sandoval's great drumming tricks and Tucker's brutal pounding bass. Mr. Tucker's vocals are deep growling and sometimes he sounds quite close his predecessor David Vincent (now with Genitorturers). Vocal duet with Azagthoth (more blackish vocals) on 'Secured Limitations' surely ain't beautiful listening, but work bloody well.

Being followers of the Ancient Ones and Sumerian beliefs, Trey Azagthoth and Steve Tucker have created matching lyrics to other-worldly music. I personally love H.P. Lovecraft's texts and therefore the lyrics have same effect to me. Being anti-christian, they have point and meanings in many ways. Open your eyes, eye of your soul, too. The frogs actually brought the writings of Lovecraft to my mind, not surprisingly, but I remember reading from somewhere that the frogs are having a bit of "sexy" time actually, heh.

Produced by the band together with Jim Morris at Tampa's famous Morrisound Recording, the album has a great production. It's ultra-heavy and surprisingly clear enough, at least on higher volumes. One minus point is the use of Pro-Mark. The faster drum parts have this annoying sound. "Click", as they call it. But otherwise whole soundscape is atmospheric all the way. Dan Seagrave's cover art is once again magnificent. This is one of his best works and suits well with the atmosphere of the album.

With this album, Morbid Angel showed their abilities to create solid record, which is also very invigorating and compelling. 'Gateways...' is a ritual. Listener can absorb something from it. One has to absorb something from it to enjoy it. Something one can't find in any popular or otherwise soulless music. After all, "G" is a great spot! Excellent journey to other dimensions. Don't lose your sanity.

Rating: 8+ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
10/28/2002 22:47

It's been quite some time since I've heard this release... I'd have to say that the first few times listening to it overall I did not like it because honestly I like David Vincent's vocals more and Richard Brunelle on lead
guitar. But this is far in the past however Vincent did re-join the band. I don't wish to discredit Eric Rutan I think his rhythm section is way powerful. Trey Azagthoth worked on pretty much every instrument plus wrote most of the material Tucker and Rutan wrote only a few. Pete Sandoval still on drums after all of these years of death metal frenzy with Morbid Angel his efforts here are still commendable.

Morbid Angel slowed WAY down on 'Gateways to Annihilation' though there are some blast beating overall the songs are slower but very very catchy. Just check out 'Summoning Redemption' and you'll know what I'm referring to. The songs are longer as well but one department that was mediocre were the guitar leads. But the rhythm guitar pieces make the album more intriguing and definitely worth purchasing.

The vocal area has very little variation to it Steve Tucker doing most of the low-end vox and Trey is featured only a bit overall on this release. The guitars are tuned low I think to B-flat which makes the whole aura of the album so very HEAVY and transient. Everything on here seems to flow pretty well even though I had the little discrepancy with the lead guitars here.

'Gateways to Annihilation' I think reigns in the top three best Morbid Angel releases to date. The others being (in my opinion) are 'Altars of Madness' (1989) and 'Blessed Are the Sick' (1991). However, pretty much all of Morbid Angel releases I'm content with these albums merely the highlights in their discography. 'Gateways to Annihilation' is definitely worth picking up if you're looking for death/doom metal!!!

Rating: 8½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Death 8699
05/11/2007 19:34