...of the River Styx

Having established themselves as part of that magickal movement mixing black metal and heavy psych (I really hope these ones aren’t nazis), The Gates’s second album sees their influences from post-punk and synthpop coming up to the forefront. You’ve got keyboards and danceable beats dominating the mix as the guitars playing a more supplementary role while the vocals alternate between thin rasps and longing baritone cleans, all rounded out by an amateurish production that sounds like they had a dance party in the church before they burned it down. It’s the epitome of an acquired taste but there’s something about the sloppy musicianship and understanding camp that comes out endearing.

Nine tracks across thirty-two minutes (including the Intro) ensures a cohesive listen though one that risks coming off as underdeveloped. They show signs of playing their hand too quickly with several tracks largely revolving around the same upbeat tempo, but “Alone” and “Disco Mefisto” are a fun one-two who make up for their clunky rhythms with some incredibly catchy vocal lines. Thankfully there’s a bit more variety toward the end as “Turbo Magick Cult” cranks up the speed with surging drums and another soaring chorus while the closing “Blind Descent” may spend the most time in gothic territory with its more brooding comedown synth textures.

Warts and all, there’s something rather endearing about …Of The River Styx and its ‘what if Ghost recorded “Square Hammer” on a tape recorder’ vibe. This is the sort of genre blend that will no doubt turn off by the most lactose-fortified but even when taken by the standards of what this album is actually going for, it would still benefit from some more varied songwriting and more put together musicianship. I even find myself wondering how this approach could benefit from a little more intermingling with the Unto Others side of goth metal. But for how niche a project like The Gates is clearly meant to be, I suppose it shouldn’t come with anything too high concept.