Sungate - Neverending Silence of Pompee (2001)

I suppose if I were to be asked what my definition of an underground band it, I'd just give the person the name Sungate. With the internet the way it is nowadays, underground as a musical term is outdated and completely meaningless. You can find anything through the use of the internet. There are no rocks left unturned. But...if I were to have to give my idea of an "underground" band that doesn't blow, I'd go with Sungate.

I was just introduced to this band like 2 days ago. Already I am having trouble not listening to them. Sungate is not very easy to define as a band. They're Slovakian and they call themselves experimental gothic doom metal. I suppose that's about as close as anyone's going to get. They're completely instrumental and have a very indescribably awesome sound. I'm really trying to get more information on them, but it's really hard seeing as their entire website is in Slovak. What makes this album so remarkable is that it was entirely self-produced and self-distributed. Sungate has no label and therefore there is no hindrance of their creativity. Whatever this band is producing is coming from what they desired to create as musicians, not from the interests of some corporate label.

With all of this aside, I can still confidently say this album is spectacular. It's very epic, but it maintains a certain melancholy undertone that I find very interesting. Alot of the tracks are begun with acoustic guitar and enter in with what I believe is a cello with a synthesizer used for ambiance. On most of the tracks, there is an ever triumphant guitar line that is emphatically backed by a powerful keyboard line. What's created is very, very epic. It's almost reminiscent of Powerglove, but without the whole video game thing.

This album is obviously rooted firmly in medieval styling. Most people struggle with finding meaning in instrumental music. I don't quite understand why. Most instrumental music is instrumental for a reason. Either their singer sucks or they're trying to communicate a point in a more subtle manner. You can still retain messages and emotions from music with no lyrics, people. That's why classical music is far superior to most other forms of music.

This band is gracious enough to share its album Neverending Silence of Pompee completely free with anyone that wants to hear it at their official website. Just right click the tracks and save-as. This is what I like to see. Free expression of music is what we need. Profit ruins bands.

Anyway, this album and this band is absolutely great. I wish I could find their other album. Go get their stuff immediately.

7/10