Firegate hales from Tzaneen, South Africa where they produce their sinister concoction of pure Molten Metal which is sure to melt the ears off of unsuspecting listeners. Firegate is one of those bands that is hard to label when it comes to genre placement. For the most part, Firegate is an Epic Death Metal band that incorporates touches of Thrash, Power Metal, Goth, & Unblack Metal into their arrangements. However, don't let the Death Genre label scare you away from this slab of Metal because the Vocals are delivered in such a way that the lyrics can be understood.
Firegate is a one man show where we find Chris J. Mocke behind the mic and all other instruments as well, much like we have seen with such artist like Matt Smith(Theocracy).
Firegate is a one man show where we find Chris J. Mocke behind the mic and all other instruments as well, much like we have seen with such artist like Matt Smith(Theocracy).
At Nokternal Hemizphear' s home site, we find the following warning:
"CAUTION: Operating motor vehicles under the influence of FireGate will result in acceleration far above posted speed limits. Be aware of your regional laws. FireGate, Nokternal Hemizphear, and Metal Helm are not responsible for any speeding tickets."
"CAUTION: Operating motor vehicles under the influence of FireGate will result in acceleration far above posted speed limits. Be aware of your regional laws. FireGate, Nokternal Hemizphear, and Metal Helm are not responsible for any speeding tickets."
In 2015 Firegate released their full-length debut album titled 'Woe, Woe, Woe' which was produced by Nokternal Hemizphear on the indie label-Sanctus Gladius Records. 'Woe, Woe, Woe' oozes all that is great about Metal and is sure to capture the attention of the Metal community. This is one of those projects that can rekindle ones excitement about for Metal music all over again.
As one can imagine, with this 2015 release being heavily influenced by Unblack and Death Metal, there is plenty of atmosphere to go around that one can cut it with a knife. So if you are into extreme atmospheric music you are going to love what Firegate has offered up with their debut album.
Chris J. Mocke deserves to be placed among the better Vocalists in the Metal realm. He has the ability to switch his delivery between heavily raspy to other vocal styles found within Death & Unblack Metal music. No matter which style of delivery Chris Mocke chooses to sing in, he seems to be quite comfortable and at times comes across as just having fun. In the title track "Woe, Woe, Woe" we even find some sections where Mocke's delivery comes across as sounding like a mixture of David Robbins(X-Sinner) and Dale Thompson(Bride).
As one can imagine, with this 2015 release being heavily influenced by Unblack and Death Metal, there is plenty of atmosphere to go around that one can cut it with a knife. So if you are into extreme atmospheric music you are going to love what Firegate has offered up with their debut album.
Chris J. Mocke deserves to be placed among the better Vocalists in the Metal realm. He has the ability to switch his delivery between heavily raspy to other vocal styles found within Death & Unblack Metal music. No matter which style of delivery Chris Mocke chooses to sing in, he seems to be quite comfortable and at times comes across as just having fun. In the title track "Woe, Woe, Woe" we even find some sections where Mocke's delivery comes across as sounding like a mixture of David Robbins(X-Sinner) and Dale Thompson(Bride).
Chris J. Mocke handles guitars on this debut where we find everything from Power Metal to Thrash to atmospheric riffs normally associated with extreme Metal music.
Bands should take note of the small talked-out parts on this disc and the way Firegate uses an actors voice much like what we would expect to here in an epic film like 'Lord Of The Rings'. If you are going to add talked-out sections to your recording then this is how it's done.
Bands should take note of the small talked-out parts on this disc and the way Firegate uses an actors voice much like what we would expect to here in an epic film like 'Lord Of The Rings'. If you are going to add talked-out sections to your recording then this is how it's done.
Drums are handled by Chris Mocke as well and go from an Epic style to hammer pounding-Thrash oriented to everything in between. Chris' mixture of styles help to put this album over-the-top.
The production isn't perfect on this 2015 release. However, in view of the many genres represented such as Unblack and Death Metal often these types of bands are shooting for a not-so-polished production. for me, the production doesn't distract from the listening experience and it is quite possible that the band has achieved what they were shooting for in the studio.
The lyrics on this 2015 release are taken directly from the Bible and make reference to future & present warnings along with praise themes and calls for repentance. Yes, not only do we find this album to be heavy musically but is equally just as heavy lyrically.
Nokternal Hemizphear's had the following to say about the band's lyrics:
"Chock-full of innovative measures, adrenalized with intensity, and completely built upon ancient scripture from the Old and New Testaments, FireGate is not for the faint of heart. Those who lack intestinal fortitude and would rather enjoy their musical messages to be politically correct and pathetically false should depart from this place of holy ground! The mastermind behind FireGate has risen with fists ablazing to rattle the eternal Word of the Almighty ruler of the universe, Christ Jesus, to the four winds of this devastated earth!"
"Chock-full of innovative measures, adrenalized with intensity, and completely built upon ancient scripture from the Old and New Testaments, FireGate is not for the faint of heart. Those who lack intestinal fortitude and would rather enjoy their musical messages to be politically correct and pathetically false should depart from this place of holy ground! The mastermind behind FireGate has risen with fists ablazing to rattle the eternal Word of the Almighty ruler of the universe, Christ Jesus, to the four winds of this devastated earth!"
"Woe, Woe, Woe"
There came hail and fire mixed with blood and this was hurled upon the earth.
A third of the earth,
a third of the trees,
a third of the grass all burned
What looked like a great mountain was hurled into the sea
A third of the sea was turned into blood and everything in it died
The seven angels who held the seven trumpets prepared to blow
A great star shot from the sky
Flaming like a torch it fell on a third of the rivers,
its name was Wormwood
A third of the water turned into poison,
A great number of people died.
A third part of the sun was struck
A third part of the moon'
A third part of the stars destroyed
Darkness was upon the face of the earth, light failed
Light failed to appear by day or night
As I looked I heard an eagle calling with a loud cry, as it flew in mid heaven; Woe, Woe, Woe, to the inhabitants of the earth!
At the sound of the trumpets, what the next three angels must blow.
"No Separation"
Can affliction or hardship, can persecution or hunger, nakedness, danger or sword separate us from the love of Christ?
We are being done to death for your sake all day long. We have been treated like sheep to the slaughter, yet through it all...
Overwhelming victory is ours through Him who loved us all.
For I am convinced that there is nothing in death or life, in the realm of the spirits or the superhuman powers in the world as it is or the world as it shall be, in the forces of the universe in the heights or the depths...
Nothing in all creation that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, the King of kings and Lord of lords!
"It follows that there is now no condemnation for those who are united with Jesus Christ."
Those who live on the level of the old nature have their outlook formed by it, and that is spelled... death! But those who live on the level of the Spirit have the spiritual outlook and that is life and peace.
Spirit is love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, fidelity, gentleness and self-control.
It follows my friend that the old nature has no claim on you. We are not obliged to life in that way, if you do so then you must die.
Overwhelming victory is ours, through Him who loved us all.
Make no mistake, bad company ruins good character. Wake up, be sober, and stop sinning.
Nothing in all creation that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord! King of Kings! Lord of Lords!
There came hail and fire mixed with blood and this was hurled upon the earth.
A third of the earth,
a third of the trees,
a third of the grass all burned
What looked like a great mountain was hurled into the sea
A third of the sea was turned into blood and everything in it died
The seven angels who held the seven trumpets prepared to blow
A great star shot from the sky
Flaming like a torch it fell on a third of the rivers,
its name was Wormwood
A third of the water turned into poison,
A great number of people died.
A third part of the sun was struck
A third part of the moon'
A third part of the stars destroyed
Darkness was upon the face of the earth, light failed
Light failed to appear by day or night
As I looked I heard an eagle calling with a loud cry, as it flew in mid heaven; Woe, Woe, Woe, to the inhabitants of the earth!
At the sound of the trumpets, what the next three angels must blow.
"No Separation"
Can affliction or hardship, can persecution or hunger, nakedness, danger or sword separate us from the love of Christ?
We are being done to death for your sake all day long. We have been treated like sheep to the slaughter, yet through it all...
Overwhelming victory is ours through Him who loved us all.
For I am convinced that there is nothing in death or life, in the realm of the spirits or the superhuman powers in the world as it is or the world as it shall be, in the forces of the universe in the heights or the depths...
Nothing in all creation that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, the King of kings and Lord of lords!
"It follows that there is now no condemnation for those who are united with Jesus Christ."
Those who live on the level of the old nature have their outlook formed by it, and that is spelled... death! But those who live on the level of the Spirit have the spiritual outlook and that is life and peace.
Spirit is love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, fidelity, gentleness and self-control.
It follows my friend that the old nature has no claim on you. We are not obliged to life in that way, if you do so then you must die.
Overwhelming victory is ours, through Him who loved us all.
Make no mistake, bad company ruins good character. Wake up, be sober, and stop sinning.
Nothing in all creation that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord! King of Kings! Lord of Lords!
It's notable that when Chris J. Mocke is not in the studio recording music he can be found sharing his talents by teaching other future musicians the art of music.
If you like your Metal epic, heavy, atmospheric, and slightly blackened then your in for a treat with Firegates 2015 release 'Woe, Woe, Woe'. If you are into bands like X-Sinner, Bride, Ecthirion, Grave Forsaken, or Hilastherion then do yourself a favor by commandeering your copy of this incredible album.
If you like your Metal epic, heavy, atmospheric, and slightly blackened then your in for a treat with Firegates 2015 release 'Woe, Woe, Woe'. If you are into bands like X-Sinner, Bride, Ecthirion, Grave Forsaken, or Hilastherion then do yourself a favor by commandeering your copy of this incredible album.
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Chris J. Mocke - Vocals, & All Instruments
Chris J. Mocke - Vocals, & All Instruments