| CD REVIEW The Gates Of Slumber |
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Band: The Gates Of Slumber I Hate Records is about to become one of the most important labels for (Traditional) Doom-projects lately. The Gates Of Slumber’s second album on this Swedish label lasts for over an hour and mainly goes on in the vein of the former releases, or better, in the spirit of what reason it was to start existing a decade ago. Traditional Doom à la Pentagram, Solstice, Church Of Misery and, especially, Saint Vitus (!), gets combined with (Heavy) Metal à la Iron Maiden, Manowar or Black Sabbath, and somewhat psychedelic old school Rock as known from Rainbow or Thin Lizzy. Indeed, this equals a (complete) lack of originality, but the high quality makes it all right: great compositions and structures with an own approach, a splendid performance by skilled band members, and a deep, cold yet organic production by Mastodon’s Sanford Parker (Yakuza, Pelican, Nachtmystium, Lair Of The Minotaur, Unearthly Trance). This somewhat old school-oriented material is, in the widest definition of it, timeless, and will reach a wide audience, never mind if you’re into True, Heavy, Doom or (more) extreme Metal. Doom Metal is on its return and Conqueror might be one of the leading albums in that genre this year. Highly recommended! 85/100 Ivan Tibos. |