EP Review: Heavensgate – And All I Loved, I Loved Alone (Greyscale Records / 1126 Records)

Melbourne melodic hardcore outfit Heavensgate will release their debut EP ‘and All I Loved, I Loved Alone’ on February 24th, 2023, via Greyscale Records and 1126 Records.

Says the band:

‘And All I Loved, I Loved Alone’ explores a diverse range of concepts but also retains the familiar elements that listeners connected with in our previous singles. It’s a culmination of a lifetime worth of experiences.

Plying their trade in a style that can be as abrasively heavy as it can be melodically-charged, Heavensgate grab the attention with one hell of an aggressive, stompy, and pit-mayhem inducing opener. Called Chemical Heaven, the group’s metallic hardcore heaviness is on full display, and while it does have layers of melody and ambience running through it, it’s memorable for being incredibly bad-mannered. Lovable as all hell though.

The starting pistol has been fired and Heavensgate are moving with intent now. Delivering a bout of carnage with the spluttering and scowling savagery of Comfort in the Slow Death. There’s nothing soothing about this, especially when you take into account the uncomfortable silences that are punctuated by buzzing effects. A contender for the heaviest track on the EP.

Although Ginsick isn’t too far off that title, even though this one has more prominent melody layered thickly amongst the unforgiving speed and ferocity. One of the more ‘anthemic’ tracks on the EP. The clean singing and airy atmosphere at the end is a really notable tone shift.

Something Heavensgate build upon with Loversdance, a massive and melodramatic tune that is quite a contrast to what has been experienced so far. Extremely impressive and extremely likable though.

Not a fan of that? Fear not! With Shemoveslikethunder, the coarse and chaotic heaviness is back and back with aplomb. The eye-watering speed, the eardrum-busting crashing of instruments, and the belly-quaking roar of the vocals. It’s intense.

Before Heavensgate create one last bout of carnage with the serrated groove and scathing fury of Symbiotic Suicide. Perfectly blending in their penchant for drifting atmosphere, it’s a epic finale without the epic length.

Heavensgate – And All I Loved, I Loved Alone Track Listing:

1. Chemical Heaven
2. Comfort In the Slow Death
3. Ginsick
4. Loversdance
5. Shemoveslikethunder
6. Symbiotic Suicide

Links

Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Greyscale Records