At Dusk and Forever is the final cry from one of Sweden’s most underrated melodic death metal forces — Gates of Ishtar. Originally unleashed in 1998, this record captures the cold fire of the North: twin guitar harmonies with razor teeth, grim yet melodic songwriting, and a vibe that hits somewhere between early Dissection and classic In Flames — but with its own mournful spirit.

This 2023 reissue by Osmose Productions on heavyweight 180g blue/clear cloudy splatter vinyl brings the band’s swan song back to the underground where it belongs. It’s not just a reissue — it’s a eulogy, a monument to the late Oskar Karlsson, whose drumming helped carve Gates of Ishtar’s name into the icy bedrock of melodic death. With remastered audio and a sharp new gatefold presentation, this LP captures both the band’s ferocity and the tragic finality of their story.

The tracks here bleed emotion. Opener “Wounds” sets the tone with its mournful tremolo riffing, while “The Nightfall” and the title track gallop into the night with a harsh beauty that’s equal parts sorrow and strength. “Never Alone Again” and “Forever Beach” close things out with a ghostly grandeur, wrapping the album in grief and glory.

If you’ve ever mourned the brevity of Sweden’s mid-’90s melodeath glory or felt the raw beauty of a band burning bright before fading too soon, this record is essential. This reissue is a fitting final breath — a collector-grade edition for those who understand the magic of melody and melancholy colliding.