Anubis Gate - Anubis Gate (2011)

One of the best-kept secrets in the progressive metal underground, Denmark's Anubis Gate have continued to apply and improve themselves over the course of five full-length records, the latest being this eponymous slab of smooth contours and melodic hooks that is both immediately enjoyable and as deep as any well of ideas in this field of modern, non-indulgent, no-showoff sleekness. But by no means should anyone expect The Detached Part II, because the change in vocalists here also accompanies a mild change in overall mood. Jacob Hansen has stepped down for bassist Henrik Fevre, who has nearly as crystalline a style, only more subdued and less prone to ascend into the same, shrieking terrain. The result creates a more 'overcast' atmosphere to the writing, but its incredibly cohesive and disgustingly catchy throughout.

Comparisons to veterans like Dream Theater, Beyond Twilight and Ark are not out of the question, since they've all experimented with similar, subtle strains of contemporary progressive metal that teeter on the brink of the rock field, but Anubis Gate is incredibly consistent, one hour of sadness, elegance and beauty that never curbs the listener's attention. Electronic and highly percussive elements flavor tracks like "World in a Dome" and "Telltale Eyes", but the majority of the material drifts between mechanical, low-end grooves ("Desiderio Omnibus", "Hold Back Tomorrow" and "The Re-Formation Show") and climactic verse/chorus patterns that Fevre continuously drives home with his dreamy, creamy intonations that feel like a sheet of silk being brushed over the listeners' ears. Nothing too experimental, perhaps, but there is plenty of busy rhythm happening in the substrate of the drums, bass and muted guitar backdrop; no shortage of appreciable candy for the repeat audience to dig up time and time again.

Another of the Danes' remarkable traits is their ability to mix and match song lengths without ever growing as dull or overly exerted as the 'jammy' prog metal bands. For example, the closer "Circumstanced" is a beast at 9 minutes long, but its maneuvers are just as smooth and versatile as any of the tracks half its size. "World in a Dome" is 8 minutes, and yet it's got some of the most climactic architecture of the whole album, with gleaming dual melodies in the lead that ably and coherently convey the scattered and desperate emotions of the humanitarian lyrics. On the surface, sure, Anubis Gate might seem like another of these wimpy, clean-spun progressive acts which play it exceedingly safe and close to the belt, but if you're open to the medium, then this album should prove every bit as exemplary as anything else in the top tier of the genre, an eloquent and formidable work of shifting, practiced tectonics that proves their very best yet, new singer or not.

Verdict: Epic Win [8.75/10]

http://www.anubisgate.com/

Anubis Gate - The Detached (2009)

Jacob Hansen is a busy man, having to divide his time between three pretty damned good bands: death/thrash luminaries Invocator, Danish prog metal gods Beyond Twilight, and yet another progressive metal band of some notoriety...Anubis Gate. But if he can continue pushing material this catchy and consistent, who is complaining? This is actually only the second Anubis Gate album Hansen has fronted, replacing Torben Askholm who left a few years ago. This is also the 4th full-length of Anubis Gate, and in my opinion, their most interesting yet, from its sleek modern cover image to the many weapons it brings to the battle.

Hansen's vocals are angelic; he is one of the few vocalists (along with Nils Rue of Pagans Mind) who can produce such crystalline highs but maintain their leverage and power, perhaps not hitting the range of Geoff Tate in his prime but highly pleasing throughout the 12 tracks of The Detached. The rest of the band surges with creativity, seemlessly intertwining the air of graceful leads with deep, thrashing rhythms and a myriad of electronic elements which fuse well (another similaritty to Pagans Mind). This album stands tall throughout its rockers: the complex impact of "Find a Way (or Make One)", the atmospheric and epic "Yiri", and the even longer "Pyramids"; as well as its subtle moments, like the shining and brief ballad "Ammonia Snow" and the breathy prog rock of "A Lifetime to Share" (not as dopey as the song title, I promise).

A free man versus caged inhabitant
on his own land
The mirrored face bewildered,
a fierce contraction
Reaction

The Detached is top of the line in terms of its mix, which is bright and bold, almost melodic enough to serve as a ray of sunshine, scorching the hides of nightbeasts and sending them rearing back into the shadows. Despite the elegance of the band, they manage to keep the tone of the music serious as opposed to flowery, and along with their closely knit comrades of Beyond Twilight, they stand at the top of this game. Not every track on this album slays, but most will at least put a spike of light through your mind.

Highlights: Find a Way (or Make One), Bloodoath, Yiri, Pyramids

Verdict: Win [8.5/10] (just a flash and I'll be back on earth again)

http://www.anubisgate.com/