Sacred Gate-When Eternity Ends

Metal On Metal Records

2012

Sacred Gate sound as if they fell through a time-warp. Really this is another eighties heavy metal band right? "When Eternity Ends" sure sounds as if it was an eighties traditional heavy metal release. It has all those familiar bells and whistles. Truth is this band, which hails from Mönchengladbach, West Germany was formed in 2008 by Nicko Nikolaidis (guitars), Jim Over (vocals) and Holger Zimmermann (drums). But, there is a little bit of back story to the band. They began life as Made Of Iron in 1999. Now, had that name not been enough of a hint as to what these guys were all about (think about it folks) them I'm not sure what more proof you would need about their biggest influence. Made Of Iron was Iron Maiden cover band that eventually began writing their own material. After a set of demos Anger Of Metal Records came along and released their 7” EP "Made Of Iron". After releasing their self-titled debut album in 2004 (on the Greek label Sonic Age Records) the band split up. A few years past before Sacred Gate was formed. In 2011 the band released their self-produced EP "Creators Of The Downfall". Fast forward a little and Metal On Metal comes along to sign the band and we have "When Eternity Ends". Now, seeing as the band started out as an Iron Maiden tribute/cover band it should be fairly obvious that Iron Maiden is a good starting point as far as references go. But, other eighties acts pop up as well. I suspect that for familiarity sake we should offer up the more well known names of the era like Judas Priest, Dio, Accept, Saxon, Angel Witch and Blitzkrieg. That is as good a place to get started as any. For a band that went from playing Iron Maiden covers to writing their own original material Sacred Gate has done well for themselves. "When Eternity Ends" reeks of traditional heavy metal/N.W.O.B.H.M. worship and I mean that in a good way. Since everything old is new again and this sort of heavy metal is all the rage again with fans and critics alike Sacred Gate look like a stud act in the making. There is a small chance they might get swallowed up in the mass of similar acts out there, but they do have enough of an original streak going to possibly step out in front. This is another "young" act that has all the tools needed to break out. I suspect another album or two is needed for that to happen, but this is a fine place to start and I will always encourage my fellow heavy metal to check out bands like this.