“Axe smashing, bare chested, mega muscled, mighty thewed, old school DOOM metal” – AQUARIUS RECORDS
Indianapolis doom metal trio THE GATES OF SLUMBER formed in the late 1990’s with the goal of creating a band whose sound delivered an updated take on the member’s long list of favorite heavy metal greats. Weaned on Black Sabbath, St. Vitus, the melodic might of Iron Maiden and a host of classic bands from Thin Lizzy to Rainbow to Mercyful Fate, THE GATES OF SLUMBER draw deep from heavy metal's most powerful blood and deliver doom in its purest form.
After honing its sound and writing / releasing several demos, THE GATES OF SLUMBER emerged with its debut, 2004’s The Awakening. The album quickly garnered acclaim within underground circles and was hailed as “a breath of fresh air within the doom / true metal underground.” The recording showed the band harnessing its influences and creating a solid foundation for its bold sound.
The Awakening garnered acclaim within underground circles, but it wasn’t until the band’s 2006 release, Suffer No Guilt, that THE GATES OF SLUMBER would really begin making serious headway (and turning heads). It was upon the release of this album that band began making its rounds on the touring front (especially on European soil and in the UK), gaining a reputation for its crushing live show; one which would entice the UK’s infamous Kerrang! to give one of the band’s gigs a perfect 5K review. In the U.S., a few high-potency gigs garnered serious word-of-mouth kudos and built a following amongst the die-hard traditional metal/doom community, resulting in fans literally driving hours to catch the band’s live sets.
Suffer No Guilt was called “one of the best albums of its kind to emerge in some time,” and was bestowed shining acclaim from both fan and media alike. The time between full-length albums saw the band contribute material to several EP’s (vinyl and split releases) and take part in a number of compilations that would directly contribute to the excitement that accompanies the band’s much-anticipated new album, entitled Conqueror.
With Conqueror written and honed to a sharp metal point, THE GATES OF SLUMBER found a North American label home for the first time in Profound Lore Records. The towering Conqueror marked the first official TGoS full-length release on North American shores (previous albums were available only as limited-edition imports). The press accolades were unrivaled, with Decibel Magazine declaring it the #5 album of 2008 in their year end Top 40.
THE GATES OF SLUMBER’s Conqueror is a doomy, epic metal pillage. Produced and recorded in full analog at Chicago’s Volume Studios and produced by Sanford Parker (Nachtmystium, Lair Of The Minotaur, Pelican), Conqueror is a mighty plunge that proves true heavy metal doubles as a powerful art form.
The band returned to Sanford Parker's studio in 2009 to record Hymns of Blood & Thunder, their first album in their new worldwide deal with England's prestigious doom imprint, Rise Above Records, co-owned by Cathedral's Lee Dorian.
THE GATES OF SLUMBER are clearly becoming a new American voice for underground metal, and are doing so with maximal conviction. With plans for serious worldwide touring on behalf of Conqueror, THE GATES OF SLUMBER is out to show why it is regarded as one of the most talked about new true doom / heavy metal bands today.
