HEAVENSGATE’s debut EP, “AND ALL I LOVED, I LOVED ALONE”, is nothing
short of brilliant. The heavy, hardcore compilation of 6 incredible songs is laced with electronic funk undertones to compliment the intense instrumentals of the mania that is metal. Through the first listen, it became undeniable that this band has something special. I was shocked to realize this was their first EP, as they have the sound of a band who has been doing this for years.
The coordination and dynamics are impressive, and the lyricism even more so. The lyrics throughout all 6 songs are attention grabbing and very well written, which is not something you come across often in this new wave of emerging hardcore. Everything these new-metal, post-hardcore bands seek for in themselves, HEAVENGATE has.
The music itself seems heavy with influence from past decades in the best way possible,
specifically with the 80s and 2000s. As mentioned previously, there are multiple instances
throughout the EP where this dark electro-synth vibe comes into play among these deep guitar and bass tones. With this, and the stylistic choices of start-ups and breakdowns, you really have to check the date on this EP multiple times to confirm it hasn't been dug out of some 2008 Mindless Self Indulgence-meets-Bring Me The Horizon archive.
“SHEMOVESLIKETHUNDER” is a trippy headbanger that is definitely one to get the
crowd moving and the air waves grooving with that electro-punk beginning. Every single record is uniquely excellent, with all of the songs playing out like full stories, keeping you hooked beginning to end. The song “COMFORT IN THE SLOW DEATH” makes you feel like you're living in a horror movie, but you don’t want it to stop. It's an addicting scare-factor that keeps you hooked for more, but isn’t that what good metal is really?