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Review: Mausoleum Gate “Space, Rituals and Magick’
Release date: Out Now
Label: Cruz Del Sur Music
8 minutesThe Nwothm
Finnish heavy metal cult Mausoleum Gate return with their heavily anticipated third studio album. “Space, Rituals and Magick” is available now via Cruz Del Sur Music on vinyl, CD, and digital formats.
Formed in 2008, Mausoleum Gate have carved a reputation for their mystical and atmospheric approach to heavy metal, drawing inspiration from obscure gems of the 1980s and beyond. Their latest work continues this tradition, offering a journey into other realms and ancient times with a distinctive sound that remains recognisably their own.
Guitarist Count L.F remarks:
Well the notorious third album shall we say? Or so the legend that I have heard goes. This time with Mausoleum Gate. The album took remarkable time to make for various reasons. Sometimes the song not intended to album was growing a serious epic and so on. Well as we called it -The Church of Isaac 666 (a phrase in Finnish called “Iisakin kirkko” which means a building that is never finished) but here we are! As usual the album differs from previous albums. This seems to be the case with us. Anyway still sounding Mausoleum Gate. This is the point. Our line-up has changed quite a lot since the last album and that of course changes the sound of the band but you can recognise the band. And the melodies and harmonies are still there. This time the compositions are maybe more of a band effort than ever before which gives a new nuances. New members: Jarno Saarinen, Jari Kourunen and Jarno Koskell have brought a great addition to Mausoleum Gate – as well as playing wise and composing wise. The new line-up has been tested live a few times but now its time to reveal the claws in album size! Last but definitely not the least our long time artist Timo Raita who did awesome job this time – again!
Review
Vision Divine is the first track of the album and essentially my introduction to the band. Noticeably straight I get this very organic vibe especially with the drums which do not feel over processed and focus on the acoustic qualities. There are repeating synths phrases and effects that make you feel your travelling through space. I am loving the jump in pacing and the melodic work delivered by the guitars. It just injects this sense of energy which catches your attention instantly. And throughout everything flies forward on top of some great (and sometimes unusually interesting) synth beds).The solo work slots in perfectly adding some flair to the song. And the vocal work helps to gel everything together ultimately creating this very organic, raw and nostalgic sound which has got me tuned in.
Lucifer Shrine shines strong with powerful and bright synth chords to open up the track. Unlike “Vision Divine” the tempo takes a step into the mid tempo range but packs a lot of punch. Notably I am liking the flowing feel of the melodies by both the guitars and synth notes in the background. And due to the mix being being very unrefined or polished you can here nuances, the roughness and grit of the guitar tones. And it is a pleasant listen. The vocals just like the track before are like butter on top of toast. Smooth and just go really well with the music. When the song breaks down to some riffing the synths even jump in for a bit of play. A refreshing break to a lot of the heavy metal and hard rock I have been listening too. Then it starts to get hella’ funky! The bass begins vibing the synths go off on one and the guitars are doing their thing. It comes all back together for one big bout driving towards the end. The vocals here are lower in key and add some nice weight to the song
Sacred Be Thy Throne come in at just around seven minutes so lets see if the length works. The band this time around have dialled things back to a mid/slower tempo pace. The band are all running together giving us some wonderful ideas before transition into a softer section where it is acoustic guitars, rolling snare patterns and calming vocal lines.Even little touches of synth in the background. A great way to bring balance to a song. Then a ripping riff cuts in helping to bring everything else back driving things forward. Things play out for a bit keeping the flow before dropping back down to our acoustic style section. However this time things pick up with some bold and heroic synths lighting up the mix in the background. Soon enough some majestic guitar harmonies shine light on the music and even the synths have a go. And as the sng progresses everything is gradually building in height and tone. The vocals that have played between calm and collected hit moments of energy and strength – especially when stacked.The passion just really holds this track up and high and does so until the very end. I am really digging this song and how the musical structure for not one minute feels boring. The acoustics and calm vocals bring Sacred Be Thy Throne to a close rounded everything off. What a brilliant song!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OoZ9nH5z24
4. Shine The Night has a very unusual intro. Just imagine you are floating through the darkness of space and matter flies past you. The sounds of synth notes cry from the silent dead void like alien calls. The pulsing bass notes drift in with a 16th note hi-hat beat and glossy guitar riffs. Little tweets of synths cry out all presenting a very spacey vibe. The verses are strong and muscular with driving rhythms and ballsy vocals. There is a couple of times where the verse and main glossy riffs repeat. But later on there are some developments where the things feel heightened and the synths beep noises like a spaceship computer. The whole track really does feel like a trip through space and time. And I really think that the atmosphere and synths are what what create this whole feeling.
5. Space, Rituals And Magick gets down to business with some heavy metal riffing and more spacey vibes with trickling synth melodies and bubbling sound effects in the background. The song has pace and does not mess around getting locked into the riffs all while the bass and drums provide a solid backbone. The vocals have been spot on throughout the whole album just making everything feel together and wholesome. There are some unusual vocal moments which do not feel human but more like a robot which are ace. lines brimming with character and charm. Layered beneath, the synth beds add width and depth, amplifying the atmosphere. The space‑like vibe shines especially bright here, evoking the sensation of flying through an asteroid field. The outro ties everything together seamlessly, rounding off the track as another excellent addition to the release.
We reach the end of this epic journey with the Witches Circle. Now this track comes in at just over eight minutes making it the longest track on the record. And unlike the rest of the album a large part of this track is stripped back. The intro is very merry and glistens bright but that acts as a brief flash before what follows next. Acoustic guitars and warm vocal lines gracefully come in as well as very light tip taps on hand drums. These just help to keep the flow moving forward. The title of Witches Circles is sung at intervals while synth piano notes gradually weave in to the song. And over time ]the music builds, the bass getting a little more interesting, the drums dropping in to a slow and mellow 4/4 beat. Semi acoustic guitar riffing comes in and the synth notes play out in the background. Everything feels so chilled yet retro and nostalgic yet I have travelled back in time. Little guitar melodies sing out delightfully with almost whispering vocal lines joining for a stint. But as we approach the last two minutes the dazzling vibes of the intro section returns and even some ideas like you would hear at American football game flash by. The song closes with a few repeats of the title ending a great and adventurous album!
Conclusion
Overall, this album delivers a cohesive and engaging journey that blends raw, organic instrumentation with rich, space-inspired atmosphere. Each track stands out in its own way, whether through energetic riffs, mid-tempo grooves, or expansive, emotional builds, but they are all tied together by expressive vocals, unpolished warmth, and imaginative synth work. The band moves effortlessly between heavy metal power and cosmic ambience, keeping the album dynamic and never dull. By the time the final track closes, it is clear this release is both adventurous and confidently crafted, offering a refreshing and memorable experience from start to finish.
TheNwothm Score: 10/10
Links
Bandcamp: https://mausoleumgatemetal.bandcamp.com/album/space-rituals-and-magick
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MausoleumGate
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mausoleumgate/
Label: https://cruzdelsurmusic.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBDbBoZAJL4
Read More Reviews
#cruzDelSur #cruzDelSurMusic #heavyMetal #mausoleumGate #newAlbum #newWaveOfTraditionalHeavyMetal #nwothm #ritualsAndMagick #space #spaceMetal #spaceRock #thenwothm #thenwothmCom
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Interview: Midnight Sorcery (Mexico)
9 minutesThe Nwothm
Midnight Sorcery emerged from the shadows of Mexico City, conjuring epic heavy metal steeped in mysticism, prehispanic ritual, and fantasy lore. With cloaks, candles, and names like Sorcerer of the Black Sun, their debut demo Tales from the Dark channels both Tolkien-inspired myth and local spiritual depth. In this interview, TheNwothm explores the band’s origins, their arcane inspirations, and the spellbinding path ahead.
Interview
TheNwothm: Midnight Sorcery — the name alone conjures spells and shadows. Can you tell us where you’re from and how this mystic fellowship came together?
Midnight Sorcery: We believe in obscurity, in the arcane and in the epic where darkness and light are faced together in an eternal battle, we’re four sorcerers who share similar ideas to create something new, something mystic forged by steel and evil spells.
TheNwothm: What arcane ritual (or coffee-fuelled jam session) led to choosing the name Midnight Sorcery? Was there a long list of other magical monikers?
Midnight Sorcery: Everything was revealed in front of our eyes one night when we gathered, at the time we were only three members, and had a conversation about having a band with an obscure and epic touch to their sound and when it came to thinking names for what we wanted and it came to be “Midnight Sorcery”. Which at the same time according to the lunar phases and astronomical events there was a blood moon happening at that time and made perfect sense to the moment adding a bit of mysticism to the name.
TheNwothm: Being based in the heart of Mexico City, a place pulsing with history, myth, and chaos, how has the city’s atmosphere seeped into your music?
Midnight Sorcery: Well, one of our band members (Sorcerer Of The Black Sun) is into Mexican prehispanic culture and he has the deepest interests in our Mexican history which is celebrating life, celebrating death, joining energies with nature through chants and dances.
This at the same time is also a way to connect with music through mind and soul where you channel yourself and let your mind and feelings take you to a place you’ve never been away from everything. During our rehearsals we can say that all four of us are connected in some way, that even the way our music was created flows naturally between us.
TheNwothm: Mexico has a rich legacy of both indigenous mysticism and heavy music. Do you draw inspiration from local legends or spiritual beliefs in your lyrics and themes?
Midnight Sorcery: Our member Sorcerer Of The Black Sun is more fond of this topic, although speaking about inspiration the short answer is YES! We have all sorts of ideas coming from different artists from different periods in Mexico and history and not only related to Heavy Metal music.
In this case one of the ideas we have for future songs are acoustic intros/outros similar to our ending of your Demo (Takes from The Dark), but in this case we would even like to use prehispanic instruments like a Huehuetl (A drum-like handheld percussion instrument).
At the same time this will add to the mysterious atmosphere we want to create to keep our listeners on the edge.
TheNwothm: Is there anything about the Mexican metal scene that you feel the rest of the world doesn’t quite understand yet?
Midnight Sorcery: Yes, it is quite different from elsewhere. Not because of economic possibilities but instead I believe that whoever has the will and determination to create music they will find a way to do it. Here in Mexico not only in the metal scene we see constant street musicians and people cherish them! Sometimes you never know when you’re having a bad day and the musician might cheer you up!
We believe this could be one of the problems and solutions to the metal scene in Mexico, in the same place you can find people who listen and play metal music for a hobby, some because it’s in their family, others because they enjoy it and others because it’s their escape to the real world…
A majority of the metal scene in Mexico speaks about how hard it is really to be a musician fighting against anything really, sometimes music is the only thing we have to face up and make your stand and at the same time it makes us strong. The Mexican metal scene is not just music, it is about resistance and being true to yourself.
TheNwothm: Growing up were there any bands or musicians growing up that you truly idolised — posters-on-the-wall level obsession?
Midnight Sorcery: Definitely! Our Heavy Metal heroes will always be Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Heavy Load, Manilla Road, Saint Vitus, Witchfinder General! Classic Heavy Metal to the vein that will live forever as long as our music goes to 11!
TheNwothm: “Tales from the Dark” is your debut! What was the very first spark that set the concept in motion?
Midnight Sorcery: The idea came from the songs that made it to the demo, it was originally going to have 4 songs but each of the three songs are different from each other, different style, different mood and different vocal techniques were involved. This was done in order to make this as a small compilation of the fantasy world we want to create.
TheNwothm: The title “Tales from the Dark” feels like opening a cursed storybook. Are these tales drawn from personal myth, fantasy, or a blend of both?
Midnight Sorcery: It’s a compound of both, we all admire J.R.R. Tolkien’s work and fables so we decided to add a little bit of our own to our music, based on this we created the songs on the Demo which tell the story of creatures inside Tolkien’s tales making it “Takes from The Dark”
TheNwothm: If you had to pick one of the three trucks which would be your favourite and why?
Midnight Sorcery: Without any doubt “Evil Sorcerers” is our favorite since it was the first song we as a band created and forged the musical path we took until these days.
TheNwothm: With names like “The Dark Steel Sorcerer” and “Sorcerer of the Black Sun,” it begs the question; if you had real magical powers, what spell would you cast first?
Midnight Sorcery: Hahahaha you can’t name Houdini as a magician without magic, right? Once I thought of having magical powers to twist time and space at my will and also teletransportation.
TheNwothm: Outside of music, what’s something totally unexpected each of you is passionate about? (Taxidermy? Competitive chess? Dragon breeding?)
Midnight Sorcery: Surprisingly Sorcerer Of The Black Sun is a Mexica Dancer(Aztec Dancer) who is in constant touch with mystic energies that make ancient Mexico sacred.
Along with this The Dark Steel Sorcerer, Sorcerer Of the Dark Throne and The Sorcerer Of The Black Forest have interests in the occult generalizing all types of magic it involves, this feeding the band’s interest in topics about the occult, sorcery, alchemy, all types of magic, wizardry, spells, atmosphere, visuals, etc… all comes into place.
TheNwothm: Will your live shows channel theatrical or magical elements to match your epic themes; cloaks, candles, incantations?
Midnight Sorcery: Yes! In fact we are already planning a debut show which will feature us dressed in black cloaks, candles like our promo photos, rituals, smoke, swords, the visual aspects are a MUST when speaking about Midnight Sorcery.
TheNwothm: What realms will Midnight Sorcery venture into next musically? Are there any whispers of a full-length album on the horizon?
Midnight Sorcery: At this time finishing the upcoming songs for the first full-length album and while we do this we are also planning our first gig to debut, these new songs are in the vein of the same style as the ones from the Demo.
While we’re at this, we’re joining forces with an Italian Record label for a Pro re-release of our “Tales From The Dark” Demo as our physical promo copies are long sold out.
TheNwothm: Are there any sacred or cursed lands you’re dying to tour first? Maybe a dream venue that screams “Midnight Sorcery must play here”?
Midnight Sorcery: Of course! Mexico City being our home town, our debut will be honored there although one of the places we would love to play would be Keep it True Festival in Lauda-Konigshofen, Germany along with Italy, Greece and USA were who best reacted to our demo and we would love to be at places like Up The Hammers Festival in Athens, Greece or even Hell’s Heroes in the USA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kM6OLOaTRBM
TheNwothm: How can our readers buy your music and merch?
Midnight Sorcery: They would gladly be able to purchase our merch through our BandCamp website or by messaging is directly through social media or send us an email to [email protected]
TheNwothm: Where can fans follow you online?
Midnight Sorcery: We’re available on Facebook as Midnight Sorcery, on Instagram as @4sorcerersms, on BandCamp as Midnight Sorcery
TheNwothm: Anything else you would like to mention?
Midnight Sorcery: We would like to thank Thenwothm.com for this interview!
We would also like to thank Thenwothmfullalbums youtube channel for the opportunity for upcoming bands to show the world what they’re made of! Also this would not be possible thanks to all you Metal Merchants and Heavy Metal Maniacs that keep this alive!
It was a surprise to us how far our demo went to lands like Mexico, USA, Canada, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, England, Wales, Spain, Germany, Italy, Greece and Portugal, thanks again for the amazing response and to the people we me personally and gave our demo to them in their hands and special thanks to the people to gave the demo a listen on digital platforms.
On the other hand we want to thank Father Sorcerer and Mother Sorceress for motivating us and always having faith in us, as your children your legacy will always be carried on and we will forever remember you in our hearts with much love and happiness as you gave to us…
Special Thanks to: Ed On Fire Designs for the design for the inlay J-card of our demo, Open Sepulcre for drawing our demo cover artwork, Khert Nether for designing our logo
PS: Special Special thanks to Bri (Spectral City, A Ferro E Fuoco – Underground Metal Circle) and Demonolatry for supporting us and for our upcoming demo re-release… more to be announced soon…
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MidnightSorcery
Bandcamp: https://midnightsorcery.bandcamp.com/album/tales-from-the-dark
#arcaneHeavyMetal #heavyMetal #mexicanHeavyMetal #midnightSorcery #newWaveOfTraditionalHeavyMetal #nwothmfullalbums #sorcererOfTheBlackSun #talesFromTheDark #thenwothm #thenwothmCom