THE GATES OF OBLIVION

"The Gates of Oblivion" is the 2nd full-length studio album by Italian death/thrash metal act Coram Lethe. The album was released through Crash Music, Inc. in 2004. It's the successor to "Reminiscence" from 2000 (which was a self-released affair). The lineup who recorded the predecessor is intact.

Stylistically the material on "The Gates of Oblivion" continue down the same technical/progressive death/thrash metal road already travelled on "Reminiscence". It's mid-90s Death (the band) but also some of the Gothenburg melodic death metal artists (especially At the Gates), who can be mentioned as valid influences. Coram Lethe aren't a clone act though, and they succesfully incorporate their influences to create their own sound. The musicianship is on a high level on all posts, and we're treated to technical precission drumming, inticate technical guitar riffs, clever lead guitar work, slightly jazz influenced bass playing, and nicely varied extreme metal vocals ranging from aggressive screaming, snarling, and deeper growling.

"The Gates of Oblivion" features a powerful, detailed, and professional sounding production, which suits the music well. Upon conclusion "The Gates of Oblivion" is a good quality sophomore studio album by Coram Lethe, and it's recommendable to fans of mid-90s Death and melodic technical death/thrash metal in general. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives)