Gate Master "Hidden Mysteries" (2026)

Concluding this journey on a more positive note, Hidden Mysteries houses one or two moments of esoteric magic alongside a baffling set of extreme experiments in noise and abrasion. Starting at its lowest point, the concluding Sonic Cleansing Final Movement fumbles through cryptic dirty analog distortions to no avail. Just a pointless romp of aesthetic disgust. The prior trio of movements lack offense, yet fails to evoke the vivid terror these scenic Dark Ambience pieces can so often do. Title track Hidden Mysteries try's it hand at harsh obscure horrors via low fidelity Drum N Bass percussion loops, mixed with harsh dissonant screams for attempted mystique.

Positives start with The Palace, venturing into quirky synths akin to Труп Колдуна, we drift through a limbo like dimension as soft airy synths cushion the unsettled lead melody and droning drums beneath it. A Perculiar Pathway ventures into Dead Can Dance territory, favouring an unsavory darkened tone around these arcane chants bellowing out from the dark. Very much akin to the voice of Brendan Perry.

Lacking a vocal element but continuing in their shadow, opener Enlightenment hits a high note, perfectly emulating Dead Can Dance's worldly magic. The string lead tone is apt, suitable for any imagination or mood. Personally I'm reminded of sun soaked deserts and decimated pyramids, despite a like of melodic flavour in that cultural direction. Its bespoke meditative mood will likely meet you where you're at.

Rating: 4/10

Gate Master "Relics" (2025)

 
The acute mystic tone struck on In Pursuit Of Forbidden Knowledge seems absent elsewhere in Gate Master's discography. Perhaps the lengthy escaped through cloudy ambiguous fog drenched synths on the closer My Journey To The Stars shares some spirit. However, its dreamy tone and airy hum feels closer to Brian Eno than our cryptic Dungeon Synth. Its also devoid of any progression, just a droning loop glistening in its own reflection, chewing up fifteen minutes of time aimlessly.

This project feels like more of a dumping ground for experimentation. The opening Relics blatantly derivative of Emperor's masterpiece In The Nightside Eclipse. Utilizing the chemistry of its pioneering symphonic extremity, even lifting a riff directly. This imitation however, lacks charm. Following it, a dreary dark ambient piece lacks depth.

Its two other cuts feel like crude experiments with dirty harrowing noise and Black Metal's harsh ugly aesthetics. They seek an abrasive disgust yet perhaps miss the point from this listeners perspective. That darkness needs to be driven by something truly musical, otherwise it remains a bleak noisy mess of discomfort and chaos.

Rating: 2/10

Gate Master "Gate Master" (2020)

Mightily impressed by In Pursuit Of Forbidden Knowledge's clandestine spell, I had to return to this projects origin four years prior. Sadly, this obscure record doesn't yield much beyond the opening Dungeon Synth track, Tides Of Aeons, a lonesome rumination on esoteric melody, powered by distant drums and a dank airy drone. Its atmospheric spell is intriguing, balancing mysticism with a sense of distant danger. 

Beyond it, the intent feels clear, to use harsh low fidelity aesthetics as its weapon of wonder. The clattering drums and wretched vocals of Sacrificial Summoning come with little musical strength to back it up, simply deploying played out Black Metal tropes. After it, the rest of the music focuses on atmosphere through unsettling noise and dense drone. Obscure fuzzes, obtuse distortions and sizzling static fill out space.

I appreciate the effort but these cheapened sound design choices didn't chime bright. Rather, they become its biggest burden. Exposing a lack of thematic depth to inherently explain these choices. With little to latch onto beyond its strange and soothing opening ambience, I had little investment in continuing to listen.

 

Rating: 3/10

Gate Master "In Pursuit Of Forbidden Knowledge" (2024)

Gate Master makes an impressive introduction attuned to my tastes! In Pursuit Of Forbidden Knowledge plays as a mysterious exploration of esoteric fringes. Pulling at either ends of the spectrum, spurts of ferocious low fidelity Black Metal chime off against lonesome Dungeon Synth wanderings. Accompanied by worldly renaissance voicings strikingly akin to Brendan Perry of Dead Can Dance. Such a treat!

So to does guest vocalist Anabelle Iratni conjure such immersive suggestions. Her record opener performance of wretched witchy howls and spectral screams over haunted gong strikes creates a bold opening statement. Proceeded by the title track, we are plunged into a raw descent of gritty distortion, some Sabbath-esq evil melody lurches over its sluggish Doom guitar riffs that erupt into a frenzy of 80s extremity.

These shades of darkness do return again. The Parallax fuses some classic heathen Bathory vibes into its stride. However the rest of these blasphemous offerings drift into a meditative strain, where its mystical instruments skirt the occult, landing within an arcane, curious limbo. A niche that gets me every time, especially when so masterfully executed as done here. In Pursuit Of Forbidden Knowledge may be rough around the edges, a blemished gem but what lies beneath its rugged exterior, entrances and encapsulates one with excellent song writing and a distinct vison of darkness.

Rating: 7/10