Category: Mausoleum Gate

MAUSOLEUM GATE To Introduce New Singer On ‘The Demon Age Of Aquarius’ 7-Inch

Enrico

MAUSOLEUM GATE’s past meets their future on “The Demon Age Of Aquarius” seven-inch, which is due for release on early April via Cruz Del Sur Music. Featuring artwork from the unofficial seventh member of the band, Timo Raita, and recorded at Semistimiinuksella Studios in Kuopio, Finland, “The Demon Age Of Aquarius” marks the final MAUSOLEUM GATE release for long-time vocalist V-P Varpula, but also introduces new singer Jarno Saarinen and guitarist Jari Kourunen.

Due to his commitments at Austria’s Opera House Graz, Varpula departed MAUSOLEUM GATE last May. Saarinen was quickly tapped as his replacement and makes his presence known on the seven-inch’s title track. However, in an almost unprecedented move, Varpula gets a proper send-off on the seven-inch’s other cut, “Before The Snake Sneaked In”.

“When we found out V-P’s commitments in Austria would prevent him from continuing in MAUSOLEUM GATE, we immediately got to work in finding a new vocalist,” says guitarist Count L.F. “V-P played his last show with us in June, we added Jarno and Jari after that and spent most of the summer and autumn working them into our lineup. From this, we came up with ‘The Demon Age Of Aquarius’, which was one of the new tracks we worked on.”

The two songs here showcase how multi-faceted MAUSOLEUM GATE has become. While they’re still rooted firmly in traditional metal and ’70s proto-rock, the band is also able to take some risks. “‘The Demon Age Of Aquarius’ is a heavy and groovy SABBATH/old JUDAS PRIEST-type of song,” says Count L.F. “The song is heavier than anything we did on ‘Into A Dark Divinity’, with the possible exception of ‘Apophis’. The lyrics are apocalyptic and demonic — very typical for MAUSOLEUM GATE. Despite the fact that there are new members, it still sounds like MAUSOLEUM GATE. Jari plays a solo here, so he was thrown to the wolves from the start!

“‘Before The Snake Sneaked In’ is an unusually bluesy tune for us,” he continues. “There’s a bit of ZEPPELIN in there and some funky ’70’s stuff, maybe. This is a song that has been with us from the very beginning — our very first lineup played it years back. The lyrics deal loosely with gnostic interpretation of the creation, but more importantly, we see it as a ‘goodbye’ from the old lineup.”

MAUSOLEUM GATE, as is their tradition, has always issued a stop-gap seven-inch between proper studio albums. With Saarinen and Kourunen getting themselves acclimated, there is no better time than now, especially with some live shows on the horizon.

“We have our first gig with the new lineup in late March at Heavy Metal Nights in Helsinki if all goes as planned,” concludes Count L.F. “We’re going to do some more gigs with the new lineup, which will help get the wheels rolling as we start to think about a new album. A lot of exciting things are ahead for MAUSOLEUM GATE!”

“The Demon Age Of Aquarius” track listing:

  1. The Demon Age Of Aquarius
  2. Before The Snake Sneaked In

MAUSOLEUM GATE Releases ‘Solomon’s Key’ Lyric Video; New Album Pre-Orders Available

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Up-and-coming Finnish metal revivalists MAUSOLEUM GATE have released the lyric video for “Solomon’s Key”. The song is culled from their forthcoming sophomore “Into A Dark Divinity” album, which is set for a September 8 release by Cruz Del Sur Music.

Stocked with the band’s now-trademark guitar harmonies along with the theatrical, stratospheric voice of V-P Varpula, “Solomon’s Key” is a total throwback to when classy songwriting and imagery ruled above all else. Adorned with images from “Into A Dark Divinity’s” album cover, the lyric video for “Solomon’s Key” is just a small glimpse of the majesty that awaits.

“Into A Dark Divinity” is the follow-up to MAUSOLEUM GATE’s critically-acclaimed 2014 self-titled debut. Like its predecessor, “Into A Dark Divinity” capitalizes upon MAUSOLEUM GATE’s inventive blend of DEEP PURPLE-like dynamics and IRON MAIDEN guitar interplay, all topped off with the high-wire vocals of Varpula. Singular, alluring and able to captivate audiences of all varieties, MAUSOLEUM GATE represent a new front in authentic vintage metal.

Pre-Order “Into A Dark Divinity” at this location: http://tinyurl.com/yaqhff48

“Into A Dark Divinity” track listing:

  1. Condemned To Darkness
  2. Burn The Witches At Dawn
  3. Apophis
  4. Solomon’s Key
  5. Horns
  6. Into A Dark Divinity

 

Mausoleum Gate – Into a Dark Divinity to be released Sept 8

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“One of the best newcomers in years” – Deaf Forever

MAUSOLEUM GATE’s 2014 self-titled debut album was not as much of a revelation as it was a reminder of how vintage metal should be played. Bucking virtually every modern production trend, the Finns greeted audiences with a warm analog production sound, flanked by the star-gazing vocals of V-P Varpula and the classy twin guitar action of Count LaFey and Kasperi Puranen. Critical and fan acclaim soon followed, along with key festival appearances at Keep It True and Muskelrock, with many hailing MAUSOLEUM GATE as one of the most exciting new retro metal bands on the scene.

Three years removed from their debut, the Finns return with the six-song “Into a Dark Divinity”, which is set for a September 8 release via Cruz Del Sur Music. Capitalizing on the self-titled debut’s majestic sound, MAUSOLEUM GATE harnesses the keyboard-dominated bravado of classic DEEP PURPLE and RAINBOW and blends it with the proto metal visions of MANILLA ROAD and early IRON MAIDEN.

With an increased emphasis on Hammond C3 organ and keyboard interplay (courtesy of bass player Wicked Ischianus), songs such as “Condemned To Darkness” and the lurking “Apophis” augment the high-wire vocals of Varpula, who has further established himself as one of the most distinctive vocalists in traditional metal. The melody-driven “Solomon’s Key” and NWOBHM-inspired “Horns” recall an era where actual songwriting would make or break a band. The graceful closing title track also offers up a new angle from MAUSOLEUM GATE, showcasing lush textures and atmospheric acoustic guitar work.

A must-have for any and all traditional metal aficionados, “Into a Dark Divinity” proves MAUSOLEUM GATE are one of the scene’s best new true metal torchbearers. Singular, alluring and able to captivate audiences of all varieties, MAUSOLEUM GATE represent a new front in authentic vintage metal. Sophomore slump be damned – MAUSOLEUM GATE are the real deal.

 

Into a Dark Divinity track listing:

  1. Condemned To Darkness
  2. Burn The Witches At Dawn
  3. Apophis
  4. Solomon’s Key
  5. Horns
  6. Into A Dark Divinity

 

Band lineup:

V-P. Varpula – Vocals

Count L.F. – Guitars

Kasperi Puranen – Guitars

Wicked Ischianus – Bass, Hammond C3 organ, Mellotron M400, MiniMoog synthesizer, Kong MS20, Petrof Piano

Oscar Razanez – Drums

 

Discography:

Mausoleum Gate (– 2014, Cruz Del Sur Music)

Gateways For the Wicked / Obsessed by Metal Sessions( – 2014, Self-Released)

Metal And The Might  / Demon Soul (7’’ – 2016, Cruz Del Sur Music)