ALBUM REVIEW: The Gates Of Slumber – The Gates Of Slumber
Indiana doom metal legends THE GATES OF SLUMBER made their mark with a string of releases that stayed true to the original spirit of doom before band ended somewhat abruptly in 2013 and whilst they garnered a well deserved reputation with their own take on doom, their was an air of unfinished business with the band, and with the tragic deaths of a number of former members, the return of THE GATES OF SLUMBER didn’t look as if it was ever going to happen.
That was rectified with guitarist and vocalist Karl Simon reforming the band in 2019, specifically to play live again but while live dates have been sporadic, although triumphant, the band have got together to make a long awaited return to making an album, and it has been more than worth the wait. With the doom trio, that sees Simon joined by original drummer Chuck Brown and new bassist Steve Janiak, now back in business, their self titled new album is the result and sees the band reaching new heights in doom circles with the songs here, with the band sounding revitalised throughout.
There is an immediate air of triumph with this album and the return of THE GATES OF SLUMBER and that is evident from the very start and continues until the last notes ring out with the band’s music taking many twists and turns from heroic solos to headbanging grooves to heart wrenching passages, often within the same song, and the whole album is a doom filled joy to listen to for any fan of the genre.
The opening Embrace The Lie is an immediate declaration that THE GATES OF SLUMBER are back and are taking no prisoners with a hypnotic riff grabbing hold of your attention with immediate effect (something that happens constantly in the duration of this record) and demonstrates the full power of of the band before the straight ahead doom of We Are Perdition continues the quality in the most exhilarating manner.
The albums lead track Full Moon Fever is up next and is an eclectic rollercoaster of a song and shows that THE GATES OF SLUMBER aren’t afraid to experiment with different vibes on this horror indebted track (complete with haunting lycanthropic sounds adding to the atmosphere) while At Dawn is killer low slung but energetic doom.
The album concludes with the haunting paean to the classic 1980 John Carpenter movie The Fog and the Black Death referencing The Plague finishes things off on a high, an a declaration that THE GATES OF SLUMBER are back with a vengeance. Where they go from here, only the band know, but hopefully it won’t take as long for new material to come as it did before, although it has to be said, that this an album that has been well worth waiting for.
Rating: 8/10
The Gates Of Slumber is out now via Svart Records.
Like THE GATES OF SLUMBER on Facebook.