"No One Was Saved" Is A Glimpse Of What Could Be

You may be wondering, a glimpse of what, exactly? The7thGatekeeper released a cover EP consisting of seven tracks, and by listening to each and every one of them, you would get what I mean. Imagine taking something great to a park yet re-routing to go to the beach instead.

It all starts with John Denver’s all-recognizable “Take Me Home, Country Roads”. The way it sounds will make you tilt your head in curiosity as you’re greeted with isolated guitar and vocals. There’s a different flair to it, a different aura in the delivery and the tempo itself; it’s slower, making it one of a kind. It’s the type of cover sung at an acoustic set, a small gig, busking, which adds intimacy to it. The airiness present in his voice is captivating, and every pause between the lines is well thought out, offering a new kind of intrigue to the beloved song.

Pleasantly surprised with how he decided to do “Overseas” by Jason Isbell, it’s almost unrecognizable with how the tempo is relatively quicker, giving us that glimpse of what the song would be like if it was a tad bit more upbeat. But that’s what makes it special, what makes it standout, what makes it unique. The solo brings a different energy to the table, with the guitar and lively drums backing it up.

The Beatles are also in attendance, as “Eleanor Rigby” is in the list. But don’t get used to what you’re accustomed to, because this time around, it’s slower if we were to compare. Everything is once again isolated to guitar and voice alone, really giving you time to reflect on the lyrics. Almost like staring into your soul, especially during the “I look at all the lonely people” line. What’s more is that The7thGatekeeper also did a take on Gillian Welch’s “One Monkey”, adding a certain depth to it with how full it all sounds, like holding back from screaming entirely to get the track to reach new heights.

“Murder in Minor” serves as an interlude to the EP, consisting of piano, a steady beat, and noticeable dynamics. “Ghostriders in the Sky” by Johnny Cash serves the same purpose, as it jumps right into the hook, and before you know it, it’s all over. These songs act as cameos in audio form, if you will.

Lastly, the cover of “Lovesong” by The Cure hits you with distorted guitars again, getting a hold of your senses completely. Surely, you’d notice the pattern at this point on how these covers are executed; this track is curated as if someone had looked up “Lovesong by The Cure if it was rock”. It also gives off a dark, thriller vibe, which is an interesting technique to turn to. The riff and the solo might as well have solved unanswered, curious questions.

Overall, it’s an insightful EP. No one would’ve guessed any of these songs to turn out the way they have through covers. This one’s a great list to turn to if you’re taking a break from the classics, or simply looking for someone new to listen to.