EP Review: The Harbinger – Gates of Hell (Inverse Records)

From the gritty cracks of concrete hell, Kouvola, Finland, rises a fresh new death/doom metal band. The Harbinger have arrived and the new EP ‘Gates of Hell’ is set to be released on December 12th, 2025, via Inverse Records.

Nordic misery, delivered with passion and with an emphasis on melancholic heaviness. The Harbinger combine the best of several worlds, where even elements of goth and melodic rock seep into a death and doom focused sound. The result of all of this is a really potent sound that chills the soul but warms the metal heart.

Across five tracks, we get some really epic sounds, but sounds that come from deep and dark places. Where the strength of The Harbinger’s mournful side is on display with Sleepless, but their intense, garish side comes out in full force on Fading Lines. The first two tracks of this EP will tell you plenty about who this band is and what they offer.

Though you won’t get the full picture unless you listen on and experience the likes of Bleak Salvation and Hollow. The former showcasing a frenzied death metal approach with layers of darkness infused within. The latter showcasing morose and methodical doom at its heaviest. Before the EP wraps up with the melodic power of Glass Walls. The Harbinger going very big at the end, ensuring the EP will live long in the memory.

The Harbinger – Gates of Hell Track Listing:

1. Sleepless
2. Fading Lines
3. Bleak Salvation
4. Hollow
5. Glass Walls

Links

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