Phobocosm from Montréal has spent more than a
decade carving its own corner in the underground with a style that leans toward
dread soaked intensity and oppressive atmosphere. The band formed in the late
2000s, slowly growing into a band known for heavy themes and a preference for
long form darkness instead of quick thrills. “Gateway” arrives as the
continuation of that history, created during the same sessions as
“Foreordained”, and shaped by years of writing that span every chapter of their
evolution. It reflects a band closing a door behind them while preparing to
wander into new territory.
The album
draws its concept from the idea of humanity chasing eternal life, and the
cruelty that often hides behind such obsessions. Phobocosm
approaches this theme using a steady pressure that builds from track to
track. There is an unbroken tension throughout the album, one that suggests the
listener is travelling deeper into something cold and hostile. The band keeps
the pacing heavy and oppressive, guided by drums controlled with violence and
guitars that twist in and out of bleak harmonies. Everything is presented with
a production that ties back to “Foreordained”, which fits their decision to
treat this release as the last page of a long running chapter.
By the end
of “Gateway”, Phobocosm leaves the listener
with the impression of a band fully committed to its vision. The album is
harsh, methodical and unwavering, built with a discipline that makes its
brutality effective without turning into chaos. It works as a strong conclusion
to the era they shaped so carefully through past releases, and it hints at new
paths ahead without making promises. The band seems ready to shift direction in
the future, although the core of what defines them remains intact. “Gateway”
stands as a heavy and immersive death metal release that rewards listeners who
enjoy music that drags them into the deep without apology.
Score: 7.0
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