Album Review : The7thGatekeeper “Around This Edge Together”:
The7thGatekeeper returns with Around This Edge
Together, a nine-track release that further defines the Barry, South
Wales-based solo project as one driven by honesty, emotional weight, and
fearless self-expression. Released on November 21st, 2025, the album stands as
both a continuation and a refinement of the artist’s vision—raw, unapologetic,
and shaped equally by personal struggle and global frustration.
Built
entirely within what the artist calls his “chaos cupboard,” Around This Edge
Together carries the unmistakable intimacy of a DIY production. Heavy
guitar foundations collide with softer, reflective passages, drawing from a
wide palette of influences that range from aggressive modern metal to
introspective Americana songwriting. Rather than feeling disjointed, the
album’s stylistic shifts give it character, reinforcing the idea that this is a
deeply personal body of work rather than a genre exercise.
The tracklist opens with “Not To Be Taken,” setting a tense and confrontational tone, while songs like “5588” and “Amulet” lean into brooding atmospheres and layered guitar work. “The Hoard” and “Baryon II” expand the sonic scope further, exploring density and restraint in equal measure. One of the album’s strengths lies in its variety ;each track feels distinct, yet connected by a shared emotional thread.
That variation becomes especially clear with track six “Wrapped” and track seven “Inamorata.” The former carries a heavier, more unsettled energy, while the latter strips things back into a brief but heartfelt poetic moment. “Inamorata,” written as a love note to the artist’s wife during a period marked by health struggles, is one of the album’s emotional anchors and a reminder that vulnerability can be just as powerful as distortion.
The closing track, “(Fear) Wet State,” serves as the album’s conceptual centerpiece. Inspired by a vivid and disturbing dream, the song blends Tool-like rhythmic tension with unsettling lyrical imagery, ending the record on a note that feels unresolved yet intentional mirroring the album’s overarching themes of uncertainty and persistence.
From a
production standpoint, Around This Edge Together succeeds in atmosphere
but leaves room for growth. While the overall sound is solid, the mix can feel
slightly flabby at times, particularly in the drum presence, which could
benefit from greater clarity and punch. With a cleaner, more pronounced production,
the album’s strongest moments would hit even harder.
At Lelahel
Metal, we’ve already had the chance to interview The7thGatekeeper and
previously reviewed his excellent and unexpected cover of the classic “You
Are My Sunshine.” That same willingness to reinterpret, experiment, and
speak honestly carries through here. Around This Edge Together is a good
release emotionally resonant, varied, and sincere but with greater audacity and
a sharper production approach, The7thGatekeeper could deliver something truly
formidable on his anticipated 2026 release.
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