GATE 6

'Gate 6' is a relatively new five-member project founded by wellknown prolific musicians of the progressive rock scene in the Netherlands. They all have collaborations for diverse bands in the back, stylistically representing a range from neo to prog metal. Just to name Jacques Suurmond (bass) and Tony De Wolde (guitar) who both once played for Marathon, as well as drummer Martin Kuipers borrowed from The Barstool Philosophers. As for that expectations are high for sure ... and they don't disappoint, when it comes to me.

While featuring some metal touches 'God Machines' is an exceptional heavy prog album based on a rather unique outfit. Fans of bands such as Karnivool, Enchant, Sieges Even, Portal are in good hands here. Well, there are also some leanings to alternative rock to state, this for the benefit of accessibility and enchanting melodies. Several of these eleven compositions are simply exceptional. Nice piano snippets, diverse samples and electronics are interspersed, thus all the songs are provided with variation, nothing sounds single-tracked or dusted here.

'I am what I am ...' - one obvious trademark is Erik Masselink's vocal appearance. He gives everything he's got, partially double-tracked, really present and exceptional, sensitive as well as agressive. When speaking about his importance for the whole impression (but please note, only for that) he can be compared with David Longdon of Big Big Train. Man To Be is one of my favourite pieces, this song bears a laid back groove, spheric keyboards and slicing guitar riffs all over. But, on the other hand, it's actually not advisable really to highlight any song due to the positive overall impression.

On one occasion - when starting with Turn The Page - the band drifts into some controversial statement while echoing a speech sample given by pastor Jeremiah Wright, who fall out with Obama not long ago. Can't get the band's intention behind that though. Anyway, 'God Machines' is an absolutely recommended.heavy melodic prog production. The songs fade into each other, where the golden thread is oriented at the Blade Runners movie.- in any case you are faced with a well put song collection. It took a long time to finish this review - don't know why really - but to make it clear, I've always, without exception, enjoyed to come back to this stuff again - 4.5 stars well deserved.