Review: “The Gates Of Hell” by Entierro

Blazing a trail of Traditional Heavy Metal destruction since 2014, Entierro are a collection of musicians known as much for their work in other projects as their own. Hailing from New Haven Connecticut, the quartet find solace in creating music that focuses on drum and bass interplay, a twin guitar attack harmonizing over visceral riffs and melodic vocals, embracing influences from New Wave of British Heavy Metal as well as Thrash and the Progressive. 2021’s well received “El Camazotz” found the band treading new ground in sounds that have stood the test of time, so under the watchful eye of engineer Nick Bellmore (Corpsegrinder, Hatebreed, Benighted) at Dexter’s Lab Studio what did vocalist and bassist Christopher Taylor Beaudette (Kings and Liars, Kingdom of Sorrow, Jasta), guitarists Victor Arduini (Arduini/Balich, Fates Warning, Freedoms Reign) and Christopher Begnal alongside drummer Dave Parmelee (One Master, Sperm Donor, NightBitch) conjure up for “The Gates Of Hell“?

The problem with some Traditional Heavy Metal albums is that they sound dated; stuck in a bygone era with none of the charm of the classic albums of the genre. Nick Bellmore has ensured there is absolutely none of that is an issue, giving the album a modern makeover with crisp, clean production values and a weighty guitar tone so that the genre can be celebrated in the present. Opening cut and title track “The Gates Of Hell” finds Beaudette depicting the dead rising from the grave in time honoured fashion while guitarists Arduini and Begnal bring the riffs to capture the imagination, the leads in the final moments the icing on the cake. Taking a leaf from the 80’s Hair Metal book “Walk Away” changes the direction of the album with a cut that lyrically Guns ‘n Roses vibes, Beaudette’s grittier voice making it all feel more natural and while the leads are spectacular. As with the best of Traditional Heavy Metal, there is a warmth, familiarity and instantly satisfying quality to these cuts, you could put them on a juke box in a Metal pub and there would be zero complaints. Continuing those Old School flavours with a couple of new twists, “Venceran” (or “They Will Win“) is one entirely sung entirely in Spanish with a couple of tasteful gang chants thrown into the mix for good measure. Tastefully done with a classically styled solo, it feels like an ode to Latin America as much as anything else, a track to raise a poison chalice to rather than the next national anthem.

An ode to Judas Priest, “The Lords Of Rock And Roll” keeps the engine ticking over nicely with a song that is so classic sounding, it actually feels like a cover, which is a testament to just how good the musicianship is. As a group of musicians the Entierro have been brought up on songs like this so to write one which could happily ride alongside a classic without anyone being any the wiser is something you have to admire. For obvious reasons Jack Black, The School of Rock movie and Tenacious D all spring to mind when listening to this one and while it is a little cheesy, its the flavourful variety of cheese and everything you want in a feel good track. The cup spills over into “Under The Eye“, a track that approaches the six minute mark like a midnight assassin, out for blood with some forceful lyrics, gang chants and pre-Thrash riffs. If it wasn’t for the additional lead work in the final chorus some might say it was a little overlong but it certainly doesn’t outstay its welcome. Some sharper riffs flow through the heart of “Umibozu” with the driving rhythms of Parmelee pushing the band from behind the kit and the soloing sending a shiver down the spine. A classic anthemic cut, this one has sing-a-long ability on the first listen with the kind of infectious chorus that your brain doesn’t let go of… [7/10]

Track Listing

1. The Gates Of Hell
2. Walk Away
3. Venceran
4. The Lords Of Rock And Roll
5. Under The Eye
6. Umibozu

“The Gates Of Hell” by Entierro is out 19th October 2023 with pre-orders available over at bandcamp