I went to see the “Masters of the Universe” movie the afternoon it came out, and it strangely was a revelation to me. There’s a point here. It allowed me to dissolve into a fantasy tale that also connects to my formative years and let me kind of forget everything going on outside the theater doors if only for two hours. Speaking of swords.
“Gateways,” the fourth full-length from international force Sojourn, has a similar effect. Their fantastical black metal mixed with folk always resonated, yet there’s something about this record that stands apart from their others. It feels bigger, more dramatic, and more urgent, not that their previous work lacked any of those qualities. It also marks the arrival of co-vocalist Heike Langhans, formerly of Draconian, whose pipes elevate everything and feel locked into what this band does so well. The rest of the unit—vocalist Emilio Crespo, multi-instrumentalist Mike Lamb, bassist Mike Wilson, drummer Riccardo Floridia—are in fine form, sweeping you up and dragging you along with them on a 47-minute adventure that might help you escape into something that makes your blood race.
“Dawnrays” opens with keys raining, the playing jolting, and the leads fluttering, shrieks belting flesh as the energy surges. Langhans’ singing then soars, the atmosphere going back and forth from breezy to fiery, everything turning cold. Keys and strings rouse as a dramatic gust pulls wind from lungs, the shrieking/singing combination pulls, and the atmosphere fades. “And the Paintings Fall” opens with rustic whistles, Langhans’ singing igniting as Crespo’s howls leave bruising, a gothy power settling and enrapturing. Dueling vocals ravage as the pace storms, deep growls pound, the tempo kicks up and thunders, and string ache as tornadic force flexes. Langhans and Crespo again tangle, crushing with power, shimmering away. “Lunar Tear” opens amid darkness, strings cooling as Langhans’ vocals fill chests with emotion, viciousness lurking around the corner as the clouds get darker. The temperature drops gradually, singing making blood flow, everything combusting as feral shrieks punish, leaning into chilling keys to soothe reddened flesh.
“Occultation” basks in keys and strings, violent jolts arriving, Langhans’ heartfelt singing reaching over mountaintops, fluid leads adding to the moment. The playing turns grittier as growls gut, the singing offers a counterbalance, and the power explodes, pulling you along for the ride. “Epitaphs” brings softer keys, and then the pace trudges, guitars glowing as the dual vocals offer glimpses of light and dark. Glorious melodies take over as Crespo’s monstrous howls shake the ground, keys dripping like melting icicles, Langhans’ singing opening up the center and letting blood course from exposed hearts. Both voices combine and rush, the playing haunts and rivets, and everything drives to its finish. “Vvardenfell” has keys echoing, horns ringing out, and folkish melodies entrancing even as wild howls warp minds. The pace erupts and bustles, while screams rage as Langhans brings a dose of delicacy, Celtic-style melodies flourish, and all elements spiral into time. Closer “The Road Ahead” is foggy at first, Langhans urging, “Shed your earthly skin,” as the leads flood around her. Guitars open wider, sunlight speeding through pinholes that are not gaping, as she wails, “Cross the oceans to find safer harbors,” as the emotion swells, screams leave welts on skin, and everything unites as one before taking final flight.
“Gateways” is a stunning display by Sojourner, a record that fills every pore with majesty and chaos. Having Langhans on board adds another element to what this band does so well, and she really shines the brightest on this album. The band’s epic black metal sounds as sharp and channeled as ever, and this might be the deadliest version of the band yet.
For more on the band, go here: https://sojournermetal.bandcamp.com/
To buy the album, go here: https://www.sound-cave.com/en/band/sojourner
For more on the label, go here: https://avantgardemusic.com/
Meat Mead Metal 