HELLPASS (Heavy Metal – Greece) – “Gates Of War” (February 2023) Album Review for KICKASS Forever via Angels PR Worldwide Music Promotion #HellPass.  Thank you!!

Hellpass is heavy metal band from Thessaloniki, Greece, that recently released its debut full-length work, “Gates of War”.

Greece has been a notable export of heavy and power metal bands throughout the year and especially of late, and Hellpass is one more name to be added on that list. The newly founded band shows both a clear vision for their sound and the knowledge and ability to implement this vision and achieve their goal. It might be only their debut, but the “Gates of War” is unleashed with a solid sound that although not fully formed, it delivers a very exciting and fresh sounding product. Hellpass have their influences quite untamed and that’s only logical and part of a debut’s beauty. Still, the sound doesn’t feel neither as a copy nor an imitation, but it has its own distinct features that will become their sound, as the band progresses and develops.

After a short intro of thrash influenced heavy metal, the “Alter Nation” kicks in and here we have the first good taste of Hellpass’ sound. Heavy metal seemingly inspired by the U.S school of sound and with epic doom influences, the “After Nation” offers a great introduction to the band’s sound, with a track that could have easily belonged in a Cirith Ungol album. In the same manner, the track “Gates of War” comes influenced by the U.S heavy metal and expands that sound further to thrashier and grittier territories, showing the thrash influenced side of the band.

One other song that really stands out and is my personal favorite is the “Light in the Dark”. Here, the Hellpass abandon the U.S influenced sound, cross the Atlantic and land on British ground for inspiration. Epic and heavy, the “Light in the Dark” shows some N.W.O.B.H.M influences, yet the pagan undertone and both the vocal lines and quality are what really made an impression on me, reminding me of the great Pagan Altar.

The “Gates of War” closes with the song “Burning Flags” that completes the circle, with the album finishing as it started. Apart from the acoustic and melodic parts that are very fitting to the album’s overall aesthetic, the “Burning Flags” is an epic heavy metal track, gritty and sharp edged that completes the record in the Cirith Ungol fashion.

Band Links:

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@hellpassband 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hellpass.band 

Bandcamp: https://hellpass.bandcamp.com 

Spotify: https://rb.gy/wcokiw 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellpass.band/