May 2026 Featured Release - The Gateway Edition

So just like that we find that a new month is upon us which of course means that we’ll be nominating a brand new monthly feature release for each clan. This essentially means that we’re asking you to rate, review & discuss our chosen features for no other reason than because we enjoy the process & banter. We’re really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on our chosen releases so don’t be shy.

This month's feature release for The Gateway, nominated by me (Shadowdoom9 (Andi)), is the brand-new debut album by Missouri-based alt-metalcore band Mirrorcell, Long Nights in Lovescape. This is one of the few feature releases that I think is not the best but decent enough to nominate. Although I find some tracks generic and inconsistent, it has potential to give fans of alt-metal and metalcore something they like.

https://metal.academy/releases/66727

Here's my review summary:

I'm not too surprised that I've never heard of Mirrorcell until sometime this week. They released their debut album Long Nights in Lovescape (sounds like if someone spent all night using an AI dating app) two months ago. It's an album that can go back and forth from ethereal to intense, but it ends up inconsistent with only a few exciting tracks. The album's sound is basically alt-metalcore with some shoegaze. I find the more shoegaze side of them a little too much, often interfering with the times when the band is meant to go heavy. As a result, the offering is plagued with generic tracks. And in the few that are actually fun to listen to, it's because of the experimentation they add to the sound. It's really only then that I realize the band's true potential, specifically track 5. From then on, aside from a couple more poor tracks, the tracks are great highlights with intense heaviness along with well-executed electronics and breakdowns. They have really gotten me hooked with fun catchy melody. All in all, I would consider Long Nights in Lovescape a decent album, just not really a great one. The alternation between generic and anthemic tracks is just underwhelming for me. Still they're a new band with some potential, so I'll give them the benefit of a doubt. They just need to improve on their sound and seal it as something unique. I have nothing against shoegazey alt-metalcore, yet the generic sh*t is what made the sound stop being one of my favorite metal styles in the first place. There's still some good in the fusion, they just need to really let it out. Otherwise, we would have another decent yet generic release like this. We'll see what the future holds....

3/5

Recommended tracks: "Hurt Me", "Ichi", "U(phoria)", "Prey"

For fans of: Cane Hill, Issues, Volumes