Now I may have stated this before, but I didn’t
expect that Lebanon has much of a metal scene, if at all a metal scene.
Thankfully rock music (and music in general) transcends countries, boundaries
and most religions without incident or prejudice. That said, I expect many a
terrorist suspect has had to be water boarded to the charms of One Direction.
Shit! They wouldn’t even need to put the towel over my face if I had to listen
to that shite.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPuJQoP5YqLNg6AYevXhTkp88qkhUqIvC5uOdxmheAufX_k_TZEJN7Sq43Pcfm3ik1H7jrwILHLsAhOcDWdaUDgqKfvI1TTLQUB3aYiD4a7Vwm8trA3fl5MdKcQnQY0bjC89dkpvvT-As/s1600/10247811_697404313656672_2860250256655284219_n.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3lhH2OI72Jdl9hwEyFTSVdI4swkEW6WFkvm1ieLXf5MXafPZUVFuJcYECoX8XxERluTPjgrOLX8LChnEm2glVm1oloZ8NKyd-0RaOPS4z6C5_U6hvyjf2CNQ6LlufYpIcGoVQCHKhU5n/s1600/10576954_741979395865830_6440323947640599700_n.jpg)
Amadeus Awad, has been proudly dubbed in the western media as the Arjen Lucassen of the Middle East, is a Lebanese guitarist/composer/lyricist & mastermind of many projects. Hopefully, unlike Arjen, Amadeus hasn’t got an issue with performing live! Along with Elia Monsef, who is the voice of Amadeus Awad and Ostura; is a Lebanese singer/composer/lyricist/filmmaker/and producer. The names they have managed to blackmail is a rather good list – Russell Allen of Symphony X, Amanda Somerville (Avantasia, Trillium, Kamelot), Kevin Moore (Dream Theater, OSI, Chroma Key), John Macaluso (Ark, Malmsteen, Riot, James Labrie)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFJfer7u4bxqeLKLBA84SMFZvXxieaMQ4wK-Z8lZU24p5wxBoN3FjdKOViKPduA3n5rX7qpcE-GpDQom-Zvm3lekv00BCPl_ZBPQwHgKRjz0nJ_n5zEvjZaD9VnUUdRwvwKpDKMx-izci/s1600/10644720_10154525907225335_5479039550320526821_o.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzk0E6BQNwyRf9XSKfcrw3Z0JHYSpDPsjIoo4y9Sv21Z68dMKCSdkSEKIxDuOynaP77Z5bk-O1WofPeVoPUCniiDtBBme92ub7PKEUSz4j8oR5dsHOdbCUblMrLGHILe6Nqag2-HIwQLD/s1600/1487935_614714188592352_1476769143_o.jpg)
The Book Of gates carries
on where TCF left us, its heavy, pulsating riffs from Awad driving the whole
concept forward and never faltering. Monsef’s vocals are a close second to Allen’s
booming styling. Awad is a guitarist to watch out for if you’ve not come across
him before
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkku51gLqUp1HLlv55q_wou6-ubtHlQIIKI4T-qpnH4mE5hHpb2ZJl_blMfV33rvDUV4K4qvqwm1HSsPRprHmnQ8hpv5TjNvUdFgGhrl85vc81gjIv_uKLW_mnIyHiX4rjfn0e0ph_CAKh/s1600/1267980_522568097825127_49876834_o.jpg)
Today it seems fairly easy
to get a cast together for a project that will perform on your album, leaving
us a possibility of diluted content for us the fans and listeners. It could easily
have been the case here. Awad and Monsef have chosen their pack carefully, by not
making it a huge cast and have hand picked performers that complement and
contrast each other’s styles perfectly. All in all it’s a prog metals fans
delight.
I look forward to the guys
giving us (hopefully) a longer piece of music to match the output of the likes
of Dream Theater etc. They are certainly capable.
In the Special edition release is a Bonus EP,
Schizanimus (MRR2013) an ambient Progressive rock EP that the Duo worked
on and released as a solo Album by Amadeus Awad in 2013.
Score 88/100
Tracklisting –
Visions
The Crowns fate
The Book Of Gates
Incarnation
Amadeus Awad’s Eon is….
Russell Allen (Symphony x, Adrenalin
Mob) - Vocals as the Pharaoh
Amanda Somerville (Avantasia, Trillium, Kamelot) - Vocals as the Queen
Kevin Moore (ex-Dream Theater, OSI, Chroma Key) - Keyboards & effects (tracks 2,3,4)
John Macaluso (ARK, Yngwie Malmsteen, Riot, James Labrie) - Drums
Elyes Bouchoucha (Myrath) - Additional Keyboards (track 1)
Danny Bou Maroun (Ostura) - Additional Orchestration & Effects (track 1)
Dan Veall - Bass
Elia Monsef - Vocals as Necromancer /Composer/Producer
Amadeus Awad - All Guitars/Programming/Production/Composer/Lyricist
Amanda Somerville (Avantasia, Trillium, Kamelot) - Vocals as the Queen
Kevin Moore (ex-Dream Theater, OSI, Chroma Key) - Keyboards & effects (tracks 2,3,4)
John Macaluso (ARK, Yngwie Malmsteen, Riot, James Labrie) - Drums
Elyes Bouchoucha (Myrath) - Additional Keyboards (track 1)
Danny Bou Maroun (Ostura) - Additional Orchestration & Effects (track 1)
Dan Veall - Bass
Elia Monsef - Vocals as Necromancer /Composer/Producer
Amadeus Awad - All Guitars/Programming/Production/Composer/Lyricist
Brett Caldas-Lima (Ayreon, Megadeth,
Devin Townsend, Pain Of Salvation) - Mixing and
Mastering at Tower Studios, France
Link : http://rockonaut.bandcamp.com/album/the-book-of-gates-special-edition
Link : http://rockonaut.bandcamp.com/album/the-book-of-gates-special-edition
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