Written by Megan Langley
Over the past year, British metal musician Underking has released quite a lot of material. In 2020 alone, he released two albums and a few standalone singles, and 2021 has brought with it the arrival of his newest album, titled “At Hell’s Gate.”
The record kicks off with a duo of powerful singles. “Shadow I’ve Become” immediately showcases the darker tone that this record has overall, as the softer verses gradually lead up to the song’s huge chorus, where the harder-hitting instrumentals from the intro make a return.
“Embrace The Arcane” is driven by dramatic, dynamic instrumentation, and the guitars in particular really stand out on this track as they bring some memorable riffs to the table. “World In Flames” leans towards the softer and more melodic side, but the composition still conveys the dark, haunting tone found on the tracks before and after it.
The bridge is where the tempo really picks up the pace, and this is also where the instrumentation gets a bit heavier, with an impressive guitar solo leading this section. “Oblivion” is an instrumental track, and it quickly displays a more eerie tone, which the subtle choruses and the organ added in emphasize even more.
The two tracks that follow, “Whispering Death” and “Red Sun Rises,” are two of the most memorable ones on the entire album, from their lively instrumentation to their catchy choruses. While those tracks are much more melodic, “The Dream Is Over…” shows off the band’s much heavier influences, especially on the riff-driven beginning and ending.
That track incorporates some synths later on, and the second-to-last track, “The Nightmare Ends…” does the same. It’s an interlude thats much more laid-back in comparison to the rest of the album, but it still contains that darker tone found on the tracks before it.
The record ends with the epic, nearly eight-minute long closer, “No Mercy.” The song begins with a huge, cinematic introduction that combines the synths featured on the two prior tracks with some heavier instrumentation.
There’s also a bonus track to be found on this album, which is a cover of “Halloween” by The Misfits. Although I’ve never heard the original, I think that this is a solid cover, and it shows Underking putting his own unique and metal-influenced twist on the song.
“At Hell’s Gate” showcases the talent that Underking has as a musician. Collectively, these songs compose an impressive LP.
“At Hell’s Gate” is now available on all streaming platforms. You can keep up with Underking on Twitter @Underking20, and if you’ve heard the album, be sure to let us know what you think by tweeting us @lgndsoftmrw!
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