Year : 2026
Style : Melodic Heavy Metal , Melodic Hard Rock , AOR
Country : Greece
Audio : 320 kbps + scans
Size : 88 mb
Bio:
Hard rock band from Thessaloniki, Greece formed by keyboardist Sakis Bandis (HORIZON’S END) and drummer Stergios Kourou (HORIZON’S END, WARDRUM), now featuring new vocalist Vassilis Papadopoulos (ex-KONAN) who give the quintet a much more melodious feel thanks to his warm and powerful voice driving the band’s sound into a new level.STAR.GATE is a diverse outfit delivering a musical mix of classic melodic metal, hard rock groove and at places, Pomp AOR waves, with influences ranging from URIAH HEEP and KANSAS to STYX and modern day JOURNEY.Melodic metal band from Greece from Thessaloniki..Melodic metal with neoclassical and A.O.R. elements.Formed some 15 years ago, the band has been consistently releasing studio albums, about every three years, since 2013. What hasn't been constant is the band personnel.The Dream, their fourth album comes with some new players.Vocalist John Jeff Touch and songwriter and bass player Kostas Domenikiotis remain the core of the band, with new additions of Anthemm Manti on guitars, Sakis Bandis (Horizon's End) on keyboards, Stergios Kourou (Wardrum, Horizon's End) on drums.In the three years since Longing For The Light, it appears that Stargate may be experiencing a musical evolution. Where the previous album might be described as melodic hard rock with some metal vibe, the songs within The Dream flip the musical motif. Today Stargate sounds more like melodic metal band, still infused with rock rhythm and groove and then laced with some symphonic layers. It may be splitting hairs for some, but the difference is notable. Additionally, within past albums, I had doubts about John Jeff Touch's vocal performance which seemed assertive, strained, and lacking control. With this album and tunes, none of these things hold true anymore. In other words, he also has evolved into a better vocalist.
Album:
Greek outfit STAR.GATE is always getting this website’s attention, and they are one of the few still delivering ’80-inspired neo-classical melodic hard rock, a sound similar to Yngwie Malmsteen / Joe Lynn Turner ‘Odyssey’ album, Axel Rudi Pell, Sunstorm, etc.Commanded by songwriter & bass player Kostas Domenikiotis and including into the line up experienced musicians like keyboardist Sakis Bandis (HORIZON’S END) and drummer Stergios Kourou (HORIZON’S END, WARDRUM), STAR.GATE is presenting the return of original vocalist Dimitris Tiktopoulos for their brand new album “The Moment Of A Lifetime“. And the singer (ex- Vandi, rock opera “Alexander the Great’) fits very well STAR.GATE’s blend of ’80s hard rock / neo classical / clean melodic metal.“The Moment Of A Lifetime” once again highlights the brilliant level of songwriting and musicianship of STAR.GATE. The album consists of eight compositions and believe me, you will not be able to simply chose one or two favorites, because every song in this new full length is a beautiful, neo-classical melodic hard rock winner.Yes we are dealing with eight heavenly compositions of musical poetry, eight ultimate moments of epicness and emotion. I can for sure describe this full length as a soundscape of magical melodies delivered through the STAR.GATE neoclassical mastery. Kostas Domenikiotis, the band’s bassist, spiritual father and main composer, is once again using the Neoclassical Metal formulas to shape his musical vision. And this vision is brightly reflected through this magnificent release regarding this rock sub-genre.As you are reading the text you would probably wait for a specific reference to any specific song included in here. Well, this album should be heard from start to finish. It does not contain a single weak moment if you like this style. So there are not references to songs, but to the whole brilliant and new STAR.GATE release – songs with very good arrangements, some proggy twists, that ‘Jens Johansson-like’ keyboards / organs, and melodic vocals.The full length is mixed, produced and mastered by Kostas Scandalis at Infinity Studio (Thessaloniki, Greece), highlighting one his best productions for Steel Gallery / Arkeyn Steel Records so far. The album’s front cover is created by Angel Priest and it is without a single doubt one of the most remarkable covers in the band’s discography.You should get ready to cross the starlit roads that will take you to the crimson skies, far beyond the STAR.GATE. Get ready for a wonderful, magical neo-classical melodic hard rock album.
Line-Up:
Dimitris Tiktopoulos – Lead and Backing Vocals
Anthimos Manti - Guitars - See also: Crystal Tears, Prassein Aloga, ex-Winters Dawn, ex-Out of the Lair, MANTI, ex-Paul Di'Anno (live), ex-Anthimos Manti, ex-ATMA
Kostas Domenikiotis - Bass - See also: ex-Thunderstorm, D&D, John Jeff Touch, Uthull
Stergios Kourou - Drums - See also: Horizon's End, Kosta Vreto, Wardrum, ex-Escape, ex-Jaded Star (live), ex-Death from Above, ex-Redrum
Sakis Bandis - Keyboards - See also: Hail Spirit Noir, Horizon's End, Kosta Vreto, ex-Wizard, Uthull, ex-Konan (live)
Tracklist:
01. Invincible
02. Starlit Road
03. Avalon
04. The Moment of a Lifetime
05. Final Victory
06. Vertical
07. Dance in the Crimson Sky
08. Pain
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
