MYSTICALGATE - ( In Studio Now )

Review for album: MYSTICALGATE - Out Of Control (2008)
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Band: MysticalGate
Album title: Out Of Control
Label: Casket Music - Copro
Distributor: PHD
Release date: 23/03/2009
Release: CD (re-issue outside Russia)
Founded in 1992, MysticalGate is a Russian band operating from the city of Voronezh (situated some 440 kms South from Moskow, it is a large city located on both sides of the Voronezh river, 12 kms from where it flows into the Don river, with a population exceeding 900,000 souls). Originally, they were a pure Death Metal trio composed of singer/ guitarist Sergey “Priest”, bassist Alex, and drummer Den “D.V.B.” and went under the name of Aggression. As such they released two demo albums: 1992’s Hell ‘Em All [9 tracks, gained the band it’s first popularity in the Russian Underground music scene] and 1995’s S.A.T.C.L. [short for “Sexual Attruction To Corporal Lips” – this 6-tracker (5 songs + intro), which saw the trio reenforced by the addition of session keyboardist Mr. Toper, had a 45-minute length and even brought positive reviews in the press. Copies of the album were even sold outside Russia, although the bio does not specify whether than means the Russian “province”, or the federation].
Then keyboardist Alex “Sharp” joined in 1995, adding a mystical and sinister touch to the band’s music, and with the change of musical direction also came a namechange to MysticalGate. In 1996 the quartet entered the NMLK Studio to record their new music, and during their time there they are contacted and contracted by the now legendary Ural label Undead Wood Productions (which had previously released albums by Russian Winter and Thy Repentance). Regretfully, after the band sent their recordings for the In Sadness Gloom album over to the label, UWP encountered some serious financial problems, and the label folded. As a result of the failed release, internal struggles arose within the band, and they too ceased activities for a long time!
But then, in 2004, new Russian label Stygian Crypt Productions gets in touch with the band with the suggestion to release a CD with the material of the band’s intended official debut album, and after only a short conversation a deal was signed. In Sadness Gloom finally saw the light of day in October 2004. Evidently, this renewed interest in the band rekindled the old flame, and it’s with a renewed line-up comprising original members Sergey, Sharp (now also handling the bass alongside his keyboards, which are for the most part programmed during live appearances) and Den, plus newbie guitarist Max MX. During July 2008 the new quartet entered Mystikah Studios (surely the band’s own recording facilities) to record their new album (again(?)apparently, because they’d already recorded it in pre-production during December 2007…could be it was only the mixing and mastering by Sergey which happened that July 2008).
The band self-released the album in Russia during the Fall of 2008, and has since been shopping it around to find a suitable label to promote them outside their home country. While Casket Music may not be specialized into their kind of music, these lovers of music will at least give the Russians a good headstart into the music business of the Western World (even if it’s uncertain in these days of crisis that they might finance travel costs for the band to come over to Europe from out of their neck of the woods in Russia! If you’re into Death Metal with an emphasis on the bass, a slightly progressive touch (quite a bit of repeat tacticts), and an eerie touch introduced with synths which don’t even begin to sound like what you might be used, you need to make your acquaintance with MysticalGate as soon as possible! When surfing to myspace.com/mysticalgate, you’ll find a total of 4 tracks off the new album, plus one off the In Sadness Gloom album. For more of the older material, consult the band’s own website mgbrutal.com (download section gets you 6 free tracks).
There’s apparently an economic crisis going on in the world, and while a lot of big companies (both in the music and other business) are so-called trying to keep things liveable by making one expense-saving trick after the other (because they’re afrraid people will hold onto their money) the brave people at Casket Music/ Copro Records go in against the grain by bringing us one great band after the other…showing that in order to make (some) money, you need to spend (some) money. Believe you me, the whole “crisis” thing is generated on purpose by the banks anyway…because they see too many people are living well while still able to save some money on the side, and feel not enough of those people’s money is ending up into their pockets! If things were up to them, the world would fall back to a feudal system, where “ordinary” people (those who don’t belong to the “rich” kaste) are simply extorted of all they have. What do “poor” people matter to them anyway? The buggers breed like rabbits anyway, don’t they?…so there’s always enough to replace those who die off of “natural” causes!!! (please read this last paragraph with a healthy dose of cynicism and humour…even if the topic is rather sadly close to the truth).
Getting back to MysticalGate and Out Of Control…nothing but thumbs up! If I were Shiva, I’d have a lot more than the two I have now, but then that’s how I was made, right? Here’s a nice album to be nominated into that “Best Albums Of 2009”-list, in the “weird Death” category!!!
98/100 Tony.
HARD AND HEAVY Zine's
MYSTICALGATE - Out Of Control [2008]
Coming out of Russia like a high velocity cannonball MYSTICALGATE release the highly impressive Out Of Control. MYSTICALGATE has self released Out Of Control, but you would never really have guessed it as everything about this disc has professionalism all over it. Playing what they call M.Pressure Metal, while there is a lot of ‘90s Metal influence coming through the music, MYSTICALGATE create Metal for the 21st century as they take it to new unknown realms with great use of keyboards and programming helps give it a sinister, eerie and almost space age vibe. MYSTICALGATE is more than worthy of getting a record contract then most of the bands that the company’s have on their labels. To get your hands on Out Of Control email [email protected]
Score: 90/100
Asher Earache
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Hello!
Work above our new album is finished.Produced by Sergey Priest. Mixing and mastering by Sergey Priest. Art design : Sergey Priest.
It would be desirable to express gratitude to all those people who are interested and wait for our creativity, come on our page and express their emotions! Thanks for your support guys!!!
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MYSTICALGATE "Out Of Control"
Track list:
1. Demanding Answers (Death Never Sleeps)
2. Celebration Or Sorrow (Dark Spirit Of Future)
3. Existential Paradox (Brutality)
4. That Used To Be A Man (Fear Fact-Or)
5. Blurred Realities (Exe-Cute)
6. Out Of Control (Progressive Degradation)
7. Voices In My Head (Ballad)
8. Alien World (You Not One)
MYSTICALGATE "Out Of Control"
Mystical Gate is a group from Voronezh (Russia). Group was founded in 1992 as Aggression with line-up:
Sergey "PRIEST" - Guitars, Vocals
Alex – bass
Den "D.V.B." – drums.
This line-up has recorded two demo albums. In November 1992 album «Hell ..Em All» of 9 tracks was recorded in Machine Studio and group became quite popular between Russian underground.
MYSTICALGATE "Hell"Em All"
Since December 1994 till January 1995 group has recorded second demo in Other Side Studio. The name of this album was «S.A.T.C.L» (Sexual Attruction To Corporal Lips). This album includes 5 songs+intro and outro of 45 min of total time. This work has stabilized status of the group and has brought some favorable rewievs in press. Some part of copies was sold in Russia and abroad.
MYSTICALGATE "S.A.T.C.L."
After Sharp (keyboard) arrival in 1995 the name was changed on MysticalGate. In 1996 group has came in NMLK Studio for recording third album. «In Sadness Gloom» was recorded since June till August 1996.
During recording «In Sadness Gloom» group has got in touch with legendary Urals label Undead Wood production (which released albums of Thy Repentance and Russian Winter). As a result of negotiations the agreement of release album by Undead Wood production has been reached. Material was sent in Ekaterinburg but wasn..t released because of closing of the lable.
On account of different external and intrinsic causes after failure of «In Sadness Gloom» release group has loosed their activity for a long time.
MYSTICALGATE "In Sadness Gloom"
In the beginning of 2004 new Russian lable Stygian Crypt productions has got in touch with MysticalGate with a suggestion to issue CD with material of «In Sadness Gloom». Contract was signed after a short conversation and in October 2004 album has brought out.
View the complete mystical+gate tour schedule