Ghost Cult is kicking off our “End of Year Guest Post Extravaganza” with a slew of posts from bands, industry, PR types, and more! We’ll be sharing lists, memories, and other shenanigans from our favorite bands, partners, music industry peers, and other folks we respect across the globe. Dungeon Synth / Black Metal artist Gate Master shares his top 10 releases of 2020.
Mysterious Dungeon Synth / Black Metal artist Gate Master released its self-titled debut (Secret / Hypostatic) as summer gave way to autumn in the year of our (dark) lord 2020. Alternating between throbbing ambient, dungeon synth, and cold black metal, the shrouded entity’s insidious, creeping aural offerings a promising introduction into a hidden world, with the promise of more darkened delights to follow.
Fired by a yearning to return to the essence of early nineties’ second wave Black Metal sound, with a heavy thematic nod to the fantasy RPG culture of that time, Gate Master bears reverence and reference to both styles.
And the concealed one has shared with us the chilling offerings from 2020 that have most pleased their ears.
10. Nocturnal Effigy The Moonlit Branches of Powder (We Are Busy)
9. Old Sorcery Sorrowcrown (self-released)
8. Gaerea Limbo (Season of Mist)
7. Sainte Marie des Loups Funeraire de feu (Amor Fati)
6. Lord Orots Latzineko Erresumaran Itzukera (Onism)
5. Benediction Scriptures (Nuclear Blast)
4. Havukruunu Uinuos Syomein Sota (Naturkmakt)
3. Novae Militiae Topheth (Goathorned)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOf61hgdOd0
2. Afsky Ofte jeg drømmer mig død (self-released)
1. Winterfylleth The Reckoning Dawn (Candlelight)
As a parting shot before seeping back to their underground lair, Gate Master signed off by saying: “I am not the guardian of a massive demonic portal that will engulf the world in a ball of fire and consure all life as we know it… I’m actually a 58 year old accountant from Burnley and live at home with my mum and 10 sisters”.
Gate Master is out now on Secret / Hypostatic Union
