Indiana's doom veterans, The Gates of Slumber, return with their self-titled sixth album, and it's a shame I didn't get a hold of this one sooner as it would have easily made my Best of 2024 list. The band is comprised of Karl Simon (guitar, vocals), Chuck Brown (drums, and Steve Janiak (bass, vocals), and for a trio, they certainly have a full sound. Though they've released a few songs here and there and a recent live album, this is the band's first full-length release in over a decade, and it's a must-have for any fan of Black Sabbath, Cathedral, Pentagram, Solitude Aeternus, and Candlemass. Containing just 6 tracks and clocking in at roughly 36 minutes, The Gates of Slumber doesn't mess around and gets right to work on the bruising opener "Embrace the Lie", and it doesn't let up from there. Huge, titanic guitar riffs drive this entire album, and I have to again mention Black Sabbath, as there are moments where the band will take you back to those glorious first 6 Sabbath records and others where you'll be reminded of the great Dio era of the band as well. "At Dawn," though, is pure Cathedral love, a faster-paced song with plenty of chunky grooves and very effective vocals. The final two tracks here are the longest, the menacing dirge that is "The Fog", and the crushing barnburner "The Plague", both containing some of the most lethal doom riffing I've heard in quite some time. Â
Loyal followers of the almighty riff will have a new album to worship here with The Gates of Slumber's latest...welcome back guys!
Track Listing
1.Embrace the Lie 06:26
2.We Are Perdition 05:24
3.Full Moon Fever 05:12
4.At Dawn 04:02
5.The Fog 07:35
6.The Plague 07:10
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