The Gates of Slumber – The Gates of Slumber
Release Date: 29th November 2024
Label: Svart Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Doom Metal
FFO: Saint Vitus, Penance, Candlemass, Pale Divine.
Review By: Hillary Wisniewski
Doom legends The Gates of Slumber are helping to end this year of insanity with some serious heaviness; I can’t speak for everyone, but I sure as hell needed something to pick me up. Formed in 1998 in the state of Indiana, this act has been chugging along steadily with some slight variations in line up ever since. In 2014, there was a hiatus following the death of bassist Jason McCash. It is totally understandable that this space was needed, and we can all relate to how grief can wash over everything in our lives and make something we love seem incredibly daunting. In 2019, these gents were eager to get back to it as they were asked to play Hell Over Hamburg in 2020 (my friends Argus were privileged to play along with them at this festival). Since that time, they have been continuing to perfect their craft, which is evident on their self-titled release.
Right from the start, the guys come out battering listeners with crushing riffs and seriously sinister low end. For my fans of the trad doom vibes, you will dig this album immensely. On the track Embrace the Lie, there is a level of ire and disgust you can feel oozing out of every aspect of this song, and especially the vocals. Given the subject matter, it all makes sense. Sometimes we just need to work some shit out through music, and plenty of us know how therapeutic the process can be. Who is a fan of good storytelling in a ditty? Well, Full Moon Fever has you covered with all things lycanthropy. At a certain point in this track, some seriously disgusting and effective sounds of transformation take the lead; it is a whole lot of oozing, snapping, snarling, and growling. I was transported to being a kid in the 80s, watching old horror flicks, being totally creeped out by creatures from the minds of Rick Baker or Tom Savini. So much of this album really hearkens back to older doom acts with grooving riffs, echoes on vox, and lyrics focused on death, destruction, combat-you know, real feel good stuff. At times there are some slow burn moments, but overall there is a great balance in pace and allowing some space to breathe. A highlight for me were some bluesy riffs that were reminiscent of something John Christ would have pulled off during the days when Danzig had a good line up (please don’t hurt me, Old Man Danzig).
The Gates of Slumber really have nothing to prove at this point, yet they made sure to give us 6 tracks of epic sound. They’ve done right by the genre they love. Doom truly is the mother of all metal, and there are a lot of big shoes to fill. No problem for these dudes, though. They brought it and then some! Thanks for redeeming the month of November, guys. You sure as hell knocked it out of the park with this one.
(5 / 5)
