Check out this event: International Pop Overthrow: Gates of Light!

Hosted By: Gates of Light
When: Friday Aug 15, 2008
at 10:00 PM
Where: Rockit Room
406 Clement St
San Francisco, California|5 94118
United States
Description:
Gates of Light

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7:42 PM - 0 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Check out this event: Gates of Light, Della Terra, Bottoms Up Elbo Room

Hosted By: Gates of Light
When: Wednesday Jul 16, 2008
at 9:00 PM
Where: Elbo Room
647 Valencia St
San Francisco, California|5 94110
United States
Description:
Gates of Light

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2:28 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Aur-y-El

When I originally made the decision to entitle the first Gates of Light album "Angelology," it was a choice made from my intuition.  I knew a song would arrive by that name, and I knew that the theme would unify the collection of songs.

An angelology in the proper sense is a theological work that pertains to that layer of existence and intelligence that is immaterial, transcendent, and in direct correlation to the divine realms.  Angels are portrayed throughout the bible, often appearing as messengers, as obstacles, in short, as instruments of divine will.

Theological studies of angels have been few.  It has been a difficult subject to approach for many reasons.  Angels are highly abstract and difficult for the human mind to comprehend.  Also, the study of angels was widely discouraged among organized religions which saw angel worship as idolatrous and threatening to the mission of the church.

As I continue on the creation of my musical angelology, I'm coming to the conclusion that music is the perfect vehicle for the formation of an angelology.  The creation of music is largely an intuitive process where the conscious mind connects with the sub-conscious and draws relation to abstract concepts.  Through music, we have a wonderful opportunity to contemplate and communicate the angelic in terms that humans can relate to.

This weekend, I began composing a new song.  I awoke very early Saturday morning seeking to learn a keyboard riff from the brilliant Boards of Canada album, 'Music has the Right to Children.'  The learning of this riff and exploration of a new drum machine quickly formed into a musical concept.  Being a singer at heart, I was not willing to allow this piece to remain an instrumental, and began working with thoughts and sounds that fit the piece.  The phrase 'oriel' kept repeating in my mind.  Seeking out my books, I learned that this was another name for the arch angel Uriel.

Uriel is perhaps the least understood of all of the arch angels.  While there is much literature on Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Uriel stands alone with little representation in our popular consciousness.  As I've learned, there are historical roots for this.  The Catholic church became concerned with the cult of Uriel that sprung up, and sought to suppress related imagery and literature.

Uriel's name means "Light of God."  Contemplating this, and fitting the phrasing in the song lead me to rephrase the name as "Aur-y-El" closer to the original Hebrew.  I learned the Aur-y-El is a judging angel, considered not compassionate, but rather cleansing through flame.  In this way, he is like the Shiva of the Vedic tradition. 

My song, recently posted, is very different from others I have composed.  It was done entirely with analogue synths, is very short, and attempts to merge the universal nature of the angelic with the temporal experience of man.  I sought to bring a vision of the angel that was both very far reaching, and yet very close and personal at the same time.

My song deals with the cleansing fire of heartbreak that all humans experience in life.  These lessons of loss and yearning are a cleansing angelic force in their own right, and they lead us to new awareness and compassion.

I hope you enjoy 'Aur-y-El'!

Much Light,

Mike - Gates of Light

9:08 PM - 6 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Check out this event: Gates of Light Compete in Emergenza Semi-Finals!

Hosted By: Gates of Light
When: Sunday May 18, 2008
at 8:00 PM
Where: Rockit Room
406 Clement St
San Francisco, California|5 94118
United States
Description:
Gates of Light

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8:05 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Check out this event: Gates of Light with Jigsaw and Turning Point!

Hosted By: Gates of Light
When: Thursday May 01, 2008
at 9:00 PM
Where: Fat City
314 11th Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
United States
Description:
Gates of Light

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3:21 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Check out this event: Gates of Light, Tungsten and Cerebral Cortex
Current mood: blissful
Category: Music

Hosted By: Gates of Light
When: Tuesday Apr 15, 2008
at 9:00 PM
Where: El Rincon
2700 16th St
San Francisco, CA 94103
United States
Description:
Gates of Light

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Come support Bay Area progressive rock this Tuesday evening. Gates of Light with play along with Tungsten and Cerebral Cortex at El Rincon!

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Our First Review: Babble and Beat

Gates of Light’s recent gig at Bottom of the Hill was reviewed by Babble and Beat, an music magazine based in NYC.  Check out the review here:

http://www.babbleandbeat.com/concert-reviews/gates-of-light.html

7:49 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Gates of Light Advances to Emergenza Quarter Finals Round!

We had a great night playing the Emergenza Festival last night at San Francisco's Rockit Room.  It was the band's second ever live show, and we brought our 'A game.' The nervousness of the first show was behind us, and we were very relaxed on stage, helping us bring the mystic ambiance of our sound through in a new way.  The crowd was wonderful, and really got into the songs. We were all amazed by the high caliber of talent playing the festival in the second round. All of the bands were thoroughly solid. Many thanks to everyone who came out to support us!  We'll be posting pictures and videos of the event shortly.

1:50 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Gates of Light Advances to Second Round of Emergenza Festival!
Category: Music

Gates of Light, having focused on studio recording for much of 2007, played our first live show last night at San Francisco's Rockit Room.  We brought tons of energy to the set, which previewed our 'Angelology' album.  Our set list included 'Abulafia,' 'Path of the Name,' 'Aberfoyle,' 'Angelology,' and 'Swallowed the Mountain.'  We were joined by our newest member, Ryan Hill, who switched off on keyboards and guitars.  The local crowd came out in force to support GOL!  We have advanced to the second round, coming in second in voting in a field of six bands, which gives us another month to refine our live show.

Hope to see you at the next show!

..> ..>

1ST STEP n° 9 - Sat, January 12 2008

Rockit Room 406 Clement Street - San Francisco

..> ..> ..> 01   GENERAL JONES rock blues 63 02   GATES OF LIGHT Progressive 52 03   TCLEMENTE BAND Hard Rock 36 04   WAITING IN VAIN Modern Rock 36 05   GHOST TREE Hard Rock 16 06   MARQUIS MELODY & FRIENDS Reggae 11

11:42 AM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

’Abulafia’ wins Garageband’s ’Song of the Week’ Award

Gates of Light's first single, 'Abulafia' has been awarded Garageband.com's 'Track of the Week' award in the Progressive Rock category for the week of November 19th.

The song advanced to the second round of competition after being awarded 4.9 out of 5.0 by reviewers.

11:10 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment