ANUBIS GATE

"Anubis Gate" is the 5th full-length studio album by Danish progressive/power metal act Anubis Gate. The album was released through Nightmare Records in September 2011. The album sees quite a significant lineup change as lead vocalist Jacob Hansen (Invocator) left the band to concentrate his efforts on his producer job and his Hansen Studios. Hansen was the frontman on both of the critically acclaimed albums "Andromeda Unchained (2007)" and "The Detached (2009)". On this album bassist Henrik Fevre has taken on the vocal duties from Jacob Hansen, making Anubis Gate a four-piece. "Anubis Gate" was recorded at Hansen Studios and Jacob Hansen acts as co-producer and is also credited for mixing/mastering the album, so there´s definitely no bad blood between him and the band as a result of him leaving.

The 10 track, 60:24 minutes long album features intelligent and well written progressive/power metal. It´s very well played and well produced too. Henrik Fevre has a slightly less distinct sounding voice than Jacob Hansen, but he is still a strong vocalist and his singing style and voice suits the band´s music well. Compared to the two precessors "Anubis Gate" features slightly less synths, but the sound is still epic with beautiful anthemic choruses and layered instrumental work. They band succeed in incorporating both progressive, power and harder edged thrashy parts to their music which ultimately make the album a varied listen.

"Anubis Gate" is more or less anything you could ask for from a release in the more polished end of the progressive/power metal genre. It´s simply a top notch product in any way possible and a 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.