review by: Roberto Martinelli

Since my review of Dark Moor's second work, The Hall of Ancient Dreams, in issue #4, that album has grown on me more and more, going from a thoroughly enjoyable power metal record to one of my favorite records ever. Looking into the band's first album, the deplorable Shadowlands, it was hard to believe it was the same group.

And now the highly anticipated new album by this Spanish happy power metal band is here. Once again, Dark Moor shows that it is improving in huge leaps from album to album. I was worried when I heard that the new album would be faster, as I imagined some horribly boring and uniform Helloween clone-styled thing. And while the fast songs are faster, it is to their credit. The Disney metal aspects that were very strong on The Hall... are still to be found here, but are toned down. Dark Moor is also stepping away from sounding a great deal like their idols Angra. Every track on this record, from the fast songs to the slow ones to the interconnecting instrumentals, totally rules.

The Dark Moor sound that was strongly established on The Hall... remains intact here, but has been improved upon in all imaginable facets. The aspect that carried The Hall... the most was the terrific vocal melodies, but the underlying riffs were a bit plain in comparison. On The Gates of Oblivion, not only are the riffs far more interesting to enjoy in themselves, but it's possible that the vocal melodies are better as well. While I called the rhythm guitar and drumming a "bed of lettuce for the delectable items on top" in the review of The Hall..., I'm happy to report that this is no longer the case, as there is far more to listen to in both departments. It's great how the band is spicing up and punctuating its music with different percussive and melodic accents. The production has stepped up with the compositions: the record sounds fuller, allowing the harmonies to be more powerful.

The album wraps up with an adaptation of Mozart's "Dies Irae," to awesome effect. If you can, make sure to get the digipak version of this album, as it contains a completely worthy bonus track called "The Shadow of the Nile." The pacing and flavor of this track rounds the whole experience off wonderfully.

Make no mistake, Dark Moor is very, very wanky. However, to the power metal enthusiast, it's nothing short of triumphant. The songs are about Colombus' voyage, Edgar Allan Poe, and fantasy themes that aren't tired and re-hashed. What is nevertheless undeniable is the tremendous musical and songwriting talent of this band. If you flip out for metal with classical scales everywhere, godly solos, massive melodies, great singing, infectious drumming, supreme harmonies and huge appeal, then get this no matter what. I can't stop listening to this.