Released by: Independent
Release Date: Out Now!!!
Genre: Progressive Rock/Metal
Links: http://www.myspace.com/ivorygatesofficial
Line Up:
Felipe Travaglini
Heitor Mazzotti
Matheus Armelin
Hugo Mazzotti
Fabricio Félix
Tracklist:
1. Beyond the Black
2. Devil’s Dance
3. Endless Nightmare
4. Serpent’s Kiss
5. Under the Sky of Illusions
6. Imaginary World
7. Suite Memory
Have you ever wondered what Iron maiden would sound like if they were a progressive metal band (particularly during the Blaze period?) Ivory Gates would be the sound I would imagine you would get. On their third release The Devil’s Dance on MS Metal Records the band continues to astound fans with its unique brand of prog metal. Though they’re not exactly like Blaze Maiden, it is the first thing that popped into my head when I first heard them.
Felipe Travaclini’s voice has that deep bellow that moves to a contained soar similar to Blaze’s voice, yet it’s not mimicry. There’s also dashes of John Arch (ex-Fates Warning) which combine to make a truly special voice. Matching that is the band itself. The brilliant dual guitars of Matheus Armelin and Heitor Mazzotti smoothly weave and flow with each other like a cohesive unit that’s played for decades. And behind that the incredible rhythm section of Hugo Mazzotti on bass and stick and Fabricio Felix on drums. The musicianship alone of Ivory Gates is simply brilliant, but when they also play instant metal classics like “Beyond The Black,” “Serpent’s Kiss,” “Imaginary World,” and “Suite Memory” you just can’t go wrong. Especially the incredible “Suite Memory,” a 20 plus minute spectacle that caps the album has everything in it that proves Ivory Gates are very serious about their craft- sheer brilliance.
If you’re unfamiliar with this Brazilian metal giant known as Ivory Gates, you need to change that. Don’t be afraid to take The Devil’s Dance for many spins. You won’t be disappointed.
Written by Chris