Friday, May 20, 2011

Gates of Slumber

Gates of Slumber may be the coolest band on Earth and I am going to tell you why: First off, look at them. They clearly aren't getting paid, aren't getting laid, the metal just courses through their blood, they simply have to play. They don't give a fuck about overdubs, pro-tools, photoshop, triggers, haircuts, intellectualism, art, Pitchfork, transcendentalism, or any of that bullshit; their rejection of cool just makes them cooler. They play badass, doomy songs about kings and wizards and barbarians without a drop of kitschy irony. I am pretty sure their new album The Wretch will sit high on my top ten at the end of the year (unless 40 Watt Sun or Loss decide to release nine more albums this year) and not to mention, Gates of Slumber were one of the best bands I saw at Roadburn. They channeled the simple beauty of Saint Vitus' spartan riffing with an intrepid confidence. Gates of Slumber won't ever be cool like SunnO))) or Wolves In The Throne Room, because they do the unfathomable, they play actual metal. Today I present the band's second demo from way back in 2002, The Sabbath Witch, which showed a marked improvement over the first, the awesomely titled Blood Encrusted Deth Axe, I urge you to check out The Wretch. See why Gates of Slumber may be one of the last unpussy metal bands in the U.S.A.

31 comments:

ido said...

With that write-up, I'm sold. Especially:

"without a drop of kitschy irony."

I totally hate that shit.

Downloading now.

Mari said...

Totally agree!
GoS are metal with sweat!
And, btw, the "cool" beasts like SunnO))) are so unbearably posh ...
Thanks for the words and, well, the demo!
\m/

bob said...

Awesome Awesome band, seen them twice in lastt few years, true defenders of the faith, make me wanna grow out a skullit.

Side note: 40 watt sun album rules, as did last warning album (best album of the noughties), have you noticed how much the singer is starting to sound like bob mould?

Ambassador MAGMA said...

All it takes to make great music is passion. Just reading the names of new metal bands is enough to make your blood boil... but in the end, greatness is repaid; passion and dedication is immortal-- transcending time barriers, language barriers and genre barriers. After the internet dies, world governments collapse and continents are swallowed up in neptune's maw; the song will remain the same...

TRUE METAL NEVER DIES!

GRK. said...

Gates are grand. Seen 'em twice. Thanks for the demo!

WV: fistispr

blkmagik98 said...

I missed them at Roadburn as I was on the front row watching Ufomammut kick ass, but I saw them open for Cathedral in the Cologne Underground and they were fantastic.

Hebridean Monty said...

Yea!Yea!and thrice Yea!...I bought HYMNS OF BLOOD AND THUNDER last year...TRUE!TRUE!TRUE!...THANKS!

Anonymous said...

Aesop-
This is one of the best written entries ever! I can't wait to hear this one- you already made my weekend!

-the anonymous jew

V. said...

well said. Gates of Slumber fucking destroys! Thanks for the demo.

Bastard McHaggins said...

Great band, great post. I loved Conqueror and Hymns... but have yet to hear anything else by them. Gates Of Slumber will definitely be gracing my blog soon!

T. Garrett said...

I'm always stoked to see this band get some love, because well, they fucking rule. The new album is their best yet. There's actually no barbarians and shit this time- it's all real deal holyfield real life doom. Crushing on every level!

abdul alhazred said...

I've been listening to The Wretch compulsively all week. Thanks for this.

T. Garrett said...

Folks should also try to track down "The Awakening" (their first actual album). It's way good. The singer from Apostle of Solitude (another killer Indiana doom band) plays drums on it. Hot shit!

Anonymous said...

lol they look like a grindcore band

pavel said...

love the heartfelt write up. will check em out.

pavel said...

DUDE the new album is just as cool as you said. actually wrote it up on my blog, too...

p.s. my captcha is "eatermen." sounds like some old art punk band that you'd post here...

Anonymous said...

"Gates of Slumber won't ever be cool like SunnO))) or Wolves In The Throne Room", or Agalloch, by the way.

typing monkey said...

Dear Aesop,

I love you. (In God's way.)

Sincerely,
The Typing Monkey

Anonymous said...

AMEN!

Soggy Bob said...

Dude...that was the best description ive read about a band. You have a way with words! And you nailed it!

Douchey McBag said...

I'll get out some Blueberry Sparkle and download and enjoy even though I have their discog already. They fuckin' rule!

Anonymous said...

The "Stew of True Doom" rules, too!

Mark McCormick said...

I have to agree with most these comments, the write up here is spot on. And the tunes live up to the words. Thanks Aesop!

brandi said...

Awwwww... they're really nice dudes, though... Someone might sleep with one of 'em. (Not I, though.)

RagnarR said...

Thanks! Listening now & it sounds great.
I saw them at the Elbo Room early last year to a mostly apathetic crowd who went much more crazy for the "party" bands like Weedeater (who I thought were kinda half-assed). Karl was a really cool dude, too. Esp. when talking to him about the inspirations behind "Iron Hammer".

Captcha = markeDIO.

Anonymous said...

All hail the Gates! I had never heard of them but I am a fan new. I just bought their most recent album on emusic.

-the anonymous jew

Jesus Pensilis said...

Thanks for this! Great write-up.

Gary Sisco said...

I bought it because of your write-up here, the best one I've read in years. How do their other records measure up by comparison?

Jesus Pensilis

theheft said...

Been a fan of these dudes since their first full length. Such an underrated band!

Ben McAllister said...

This completely rules. Thanks as always for your excellent digging and blogging skills.

NDG said...

Great band. I jumped on board when they released 'Conqueror' and was openly mocked. I dig 'em.