Fall is finally here so it’s time once again to get into the death metal mindset.
If you want to kickstart the season my way then I suggest you give Iron Gate’s new EP, The Crushing Weight of Existence, a listen.
Two years since their debut EP, Throne of The False God, dropped the band has expanded their sound further and further with a string of singles released in 2024. Now they have another release loaded up and are ready to drop the payload on October 3rd.
Jumping right into the opening track “Misery” it’s immediately apparent that the band has drawn from heavier influences for their death metal sound, particularly The Acacia Strain and others that might have you label them as “deathcore” but the band still has their roots intact.
There’s a bit more gallop in their stride but they haven’t skimped on the riff department in any way as they dish out a barrage of heaving mosh chords and even break off into a bass and drum fill toward the mid section which all builds towards one of their trademark cataclysmic breakdowns with Jeff flexing his vocal chops with some guttural howls and screams. From these two tracks alone you can tell Jeff has taken on a new delivery with his voice from Throne of The False God as he takes his chords to their very apex in both tracks, something akin to Vincent’s delivery on The Acacia Strain’s records.
The second track, also the title track, is one of the best Jeff has written lyrically as he focuses his tirades on the unfair realities people in America face everyday as they struggle to get by. “The wealthy feed off the weak. Is this what it feels like to be free?” he exclaims early in the song right before a tasteful delivery of some stop and go mosh riffs. The bridge of the track features a guitar solo backing the mosh riffs and Jeff’s tortured vocals which brings out a forlorn sense of dread amidst the chaos of their assault. It’s symbolic of the sense of abandonment many are feeling in the wake of these trying times.
“Lowest of The Low” is a further example of Iron Gate’s progression of their slammy death metal sound and even displays some deathcore influence mirroring The Acacia Strain as stated previously. The track features a vocal guest appearance from Backbiter frontman Bryson Sherrick who brings his hardcore attitude into the mix with an embittered mosh call at the songs bridge and heaves his vocals over the bands crashing breakdown. It’s a pummeling mix of both hardcore and slam and one of the most rage fueled tracks found on the EP.
The band released a video for the EP’s fourth track, “Pressure Scar,” about a week ago and it is now available on streaming and as a refresher for Iron Gate’s sound in 2025 it is the best choice they made. Immediately jumping into a lightning fast attack of guitars and blasting drum beats that all build to a pause before the initial breakdown cuffs you across the face like a brick.
Jeff switches up his vocal delivery multiple times throughout the track beginning with his guttural death metal vocals into a clearer shout to ensure you hear each word he says in the mid section and even gets off some freakish squeals during the final breakdown.
Probably the most energetic track on the EP, “Chokehold,” contains the most two steppers the band has to offer on the entire affair and still manages to get its licks in with the breakdowns toward the end with the final one erupting at the end of a sample that calmly states “The world doesn’t love you anymore” which is so much better than the usual crash cymbal before a breakdown.
The EP’s final track, “Sick of the Ache,” wraps the entire EP in a beautiful bow as it contains every element that the EP has put on display and announces the bands identity for the future as they take their previously destructive sound into an even deadlier horizon. Hard hitting mosh riffs, tempo changes, tasty solos and vengeful lyrics are what make up the tracks first half as it all crescendos into another round of breakdowns geared toward tooth removals and jaw dislocations on the dancefloor.
The track features vocal work from Coty of Wretched Tongues who also assisted Jeff in forming his current vocal style and technique, “He really helped me hit those highs” Jeff admitted and it’s clear when they both trade off vocals toward the tracks closing.
Altogether The Crushing Weight of Existence is a powerful leap forward for Iron Gate as they dig their heels in to their previous influences and take their sound into an even higher plateau. After 2 years the band established themselves as a sizable force in the New Hampshire scene that contains multitudes of destructive death metal and hardcore heavyweights.
The EP will be live on streaming October 3rd in the meantime check out the track “Pressure Scar” as a taste of what’s to come and be on the lookout for any announcements from the bands socials.
Tagged: iron gate
