Metal Reviews


Planet E.
HEAVENS GATE



Heavens Gate are : Thomas Rettke on Lead Vocals, Sascha Paeth on guitars and Vocals, Bonny Bilski on guitars and Vocals. Robert Hunecke on Bass and Thorsten Muller on Drums.
The tracks are : 'Terminated World', 'Planet Earth', 'Back From The Dawn', 'On The Edge', 'The Children Play', 'Rebel Yell', 'Black Religion', 'Animal', 'Noah's Dream', 'This Town Ain't big enough for the both of us' and a bonus track 'The Sentinel'
This is one of the most refreshing metal albums. There is a lot of diversity between the styles created within each of the songs. Each song is a classic within it's own right. The opening track 'Terminated World' a fast flowing metal track,with tension building up to an almighty crescendo and finally exploding with an awesome feelgood chorus.
Another great track is 'Black Religion' which is an out and out, no holds barred, guitars wailing metal track that includes a medeival/ egyptian intro.
'The Children Play' is a nice ballad, it has an atmospheric start, and it is very emotional.
'Animal' is probably the best track on the album. And even though it is a cover version, written by Lisa Dalbello. it is excellent. This is a quality power metal album and one that comes highly recommended.
Released by Rock Brigade Records.
Also obtainable
Limb Music Products & Publishing
Postfach 60 25 20
22235 Hamburg, Germany
Fax: +49 - (0)40 - 53 10 90 50
from Limb Music Publishers : http://www.world-online.de/limb-music

Menergy
HEAVENS GATE



Heavens Gate are :
Sascha Paeth : Guitars
Robert Hunecke : Bass
Thomas Rettke : Vocals
Thorsten Müller : Drums
Bonny Bilski : Guitars, Keyboards and Backing Vocals, Miro

Cyber Scrutinizer - Sir Jay

The tracks are :
1. Teleshoot
2. Worldmachine
3. Teleshoot
4. Mastermind
5. Teleshoot
6. Menergy
7. Teleshoot
8. Enter: Eternity
9. Teleshoot
10. Breakin' Loose
11. Teleshoot
12. Dreamland
13. Teleshoot
14. Looking Back
15. Teleshoot
16. Evolution
17. Teleshoot
18. On My Knees
19. Teleshoot
20. Dreamer-Believer
21. Teleshoot
22. Glass People
23. Teleshoot


Heavens Gate were formed in 1987 in Wolfsburg, Germany and released their debut album 'In Control' in 1998. The band then landed the support slot on W.A.S.P's European tour and began headlining even bigger venues in their native Germany, before gaining even greater success in the Far East, gracing the top 20 in Japan. In 1992, they released their second album 'Livin In Hysteria', which saw several tracks used in a drug abuse video, which was shown in schools all over Germany.

Their third release 'Planet E', finally saw the light of day in the Autumn of 1996 and led to more highly successful headline tours of Japan and Germany.

And 1999 sees the release of Heavens Gate' fourth full length album 'Menergy', an album full of strong melodic rock songs. And while returning familiar elements of the bands tight melodic speed metal sound, 'Menergy' contains songs of a slower more atmospheric sound, such as 'Enter: Eternity' and 'Looking Back', perhaps the most experimental track on the whole album. But don't let all this talk of atmosphere and experiments put you off, Heavens Gate certainly haven't forgotten how to rock with 'Mastermind', as good a balls to the wall, hands in the air rocker as you'll ever get to hear.

Heavens Gate are fine musicians, who have learned a lot over the years and it's very clear upon listening to 'Menergy' that the success they enjoy in Europe and the Far East is well justified. To be honest, It's very difficult, not to like the album, as all of the songs are dead easy to get into, with the production, just about spot on for this style of metal, and the fact that this is an altogether more diverse offering than previous releases makes this well worth checking out.

Released in Europe by SteamHammer
Distibuted by SPV GmbH, P.O. Box 72 1147, 30531 Hannover, Germany
Website : http://www.spv.de
Also obtainable
Limb Music Products & Publishing
Postfach 60 25 20
22235 Hamburg, Germany
Fax: +49 - (0)40 - 53 10 90 50
from Limb Music Publishers : http://www.world-online.de/limb-music

Buy The CD