Skylark - Divine Gates Part 1: Gate Of Hell (1999)

One problem with Skylark's output by this stage of their career has been their deficient vocals. So, with this third release, they come across a solution.  Autotune! That's the term, isn't it?  The way those teenagers usually sound (from the late nineties onwards, at any rate) when they can't actually sing properly? With that computerish touch? That's what the singers sound like here, and I have to admit this is a new one on me - autotune in heavy metal.
Needless to say, it sounds pretty horrible at times, but then, the material isn't all that great anyway. Here we have Skylark trying to do a Virgin Steele, I suppose, with the first of a series of battles between Heaven and Hell, although I can't say I tried to hard to follow the story closely.  Something about a murdered princess, with Divine Speakers and Guardian Angels arguing amongst themselves. And then we have Satan himself (although mostly known as "Belzebu" here) who, when he speaks, does not exactly incite fear into the listener. He sounds less like Old Nick and more like Saint Nick. And it's really hard to take him seriously when he proclaims, "I'm Satin!"
There are moments here that have potential. But that was my opinion on Skylark's first two albums as well. One would think that, with a grand presentation and concept like this, they'd be starting to fulfill their promise.  Maybe Part 2 (GATE OF HEAVEN) of this story will do that. Surely Heaven will be better than Hell?

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