The Gates of Slumber - Conqueror
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Rarely will I pass up the chance to digest a newer album that reeks of classic doom metal vintage. Like the heartening feeling of meeting an old friend, recognizing the grooving riffs and grimy-yet-clear vocals of doom’s early days makes me feel at home. Of recent doom acts, Indiana’s The Gates of Slumber are choice for a band that mediates between modern and authentic styles of doom. With a dollop of Saint Vitus, a sprinkle of pulp horror, and a slither of Lucio Fulci’s eeriness, TGOS fill Conqueror (Profound Lore, 2008) with meaty, historic references.
Ice Worm (excerpt)Children of Satan (excerpt)
“Ice Worm” proves such mastery, as its bellowing riff screams influence from Saint Vitus’ Heavier Than Thou. Amongst Karl Simon’s crying vocals, beefy riffs and a splintering solo roll through a beautiful A-B-A song structure. Simon mentions in the liner notes how the riff reminds him of “Orodruin and Cirith Ungol fighting with Budgie and Quartz.” But don’t stop there. The cover artwork is reminiscent of Manowar, as a muscular macho man sparkles in loincloth armor with his nude mistress at his side. On the surface, the artwork reads as any other cheesy metal cover. But the severed head and bloody sword raises eyebrows, exposing TGOS’s darker side.
TGOS aren’t escape artists like their doom metal ancestors. In “Children of Satan,” TGOS voice discontent with the media’s coverage of the genocide in Darfur. The lyrics are vulgar and rancid, to the extent that on first listen, ignorant of the song’s meaning, I began having second thoughts about TGOS. But in addition to its literary references and vintage melodies, “Children of Satan” tells of TGOS’s concern with the modern world. With the help of Simon’s detailed liner notes for every song, Conqueror is a prime doom release, worth admittance into any “classics” playlist.
Buy:
Amazon (MP3)
Profound Lore (CD)
