Toby's Top 10 of 2011

Let me start by wishing everyone out there a very rock and roll New Year! Based on the sheer variety of albums being mentioned by Seth, Zac and myself, it's evident that 2011 was a fucking monster year for this music that we all know and love. Of course, if you haven't already done so, I recommend that you make a point to check out every album on all of our lists...as well as those on Reg's...which will be unleashed tomorrow.

Why take our word for it? Because between the four of us, we've listened to hundreds of albums by bands from around the globe and we've done our best to cherry pick our personal favorites. It wasn't an easy task and if I tried to put this list together again next week...hell, tomorrow even...it may very well look different. But this is today and this is my list, so here goes nothin'...I give you Toby's Top 10 of 2011.

10.Rwake - Rest

Seth reviewed this one as part of his Sunday Sludge feature and I don't know about you, but if Seth says something is good enough to be his album of the year, then I check that shit out. Rest is an atmospheric head fuck from start to finish that will make you want to crawl into a hole and curl up in the fetal position. In Seth's words, "this is an album you'll feel, one you'll discuss, and one you'll remember." Do not miss it.

09. The Gates of Slumber - The Wretch

With their 2011 release The Wretch, The Gates of Slumber ditched their Conan the Barbarian worship and went straight for the jugular. This one is eight tracks of sorrow, longing and regret set to music. You want to know what a doom record sounds like, then give this one a spin. As I said when I reviewed this one last summer..."pure sonic drudgery." And I mean that in the best possible way.

08. Lo-Pan - Salvador

Dude! As soon as you hit play on Lo-Pan's latest effort and hear the opening feedback spill from your speakers, you will be hooked. From the driving bass line and soaring vocals of "El Dorado" to the unmistakable groove of "Solo", this is an album of pure rock fury...pardon the Clutch reference. In Zac's review for this one, he compared the vocals to part Maynard Keenan and part Chris Cornell...how can you not get down with that?

07. Borracho - Splitting Sky

You had to know that this one was gonna be on my list, seeing as I pimp this band every chance I get. Borracho stormed onto the scene this year and made an immediate impact with their debut LP. Combining stoner rock grooves, doom metal riffs and classic guitar licks, oftentimes all in the span of the same song, this album was definitely one of a kind. Throw in the barking, drill sergeant-esque vocals and you have yourself a fine slab of rock.

06. Elvis Deluxe - Favourite State of Mind

A lot of stoner/doom type stuff is abstract and somewhat conceptual. Not so with Elvis Deluxe. This band wallops you over the head with some of the catchiest rhythms and sing-along choruses you're likely to hear this side of FM radio. Think the zanier, Oliveri sung bits of QOTSA and you're on the right track. I got my hands on this one thanks to Zac's glowing review and months later, it's still in heavy rotation for this guy.

05. U.S. Christmas - The Valley Path

Speaking of abstract and conceptual...what a perfect segue into the latest from USX. When I first heard this gargantuan 38 minute song (yes...the entire album is one song) I didn't quite know what to make of it. But after multiple listens, it grew on me like a mold. The combination of over the top orchestration with the sounds of nature is...as I said in my review...arresting. This one requires patience, but in the end, it is a trip worth taking.

04. Ponamero Sundown - Rodeo Electrica

As soon as I heard the opening drum roll of the first track, "Evil Wand", I knew this album would be one of my favorites. Ponamero Sundown do not let up...ever! Take the laid back fuzz of Kyuss, the catchiness of the Foo Fighters and the heaviness of every grunge band Seattle ever spawned and throw it into a blender. This is desert rock at warp speed.

03. Across Tundras - Sage

Back in January 2011, if you had told me that one of the best albums of the year would mix the heaviness of doom with the twang of country, I would have laughed. But that's exactly what Across Tundras manages to do on Sage. As I said in my original review, this is "an incredibly original slice of Americana set to music." This is the sound of desolation...and it is beautiful.

02. Freedom Hawk - Holding On

Freedom Hawk released this album in October, I didn't hear it until December...and it shot straight to number two on this list. That should tell you all you need to know. But if that isn't enough, then just know that Freedom Hawk have written thirteen songs that are unforgettable and they sound kind of like Ozzy fronting Fu Manchu. This is "fist in the air, wind in your hair rock and roll."

01. Skraeckoedlan - Äppelträdet

I had a feeling this one was gonna top my list when I reviewed it back in September and damn if I wasn't right. Äppelträdet is chock full of ultra heavy riffs, more poly-rhythmic shifts than even Mastodon and soaring vocals sung in both English and the band's native Swedish. Skraeckoedlan manage to combine dissonance, power and volume with harmony, melody and rhythm and that my friends is why this is my favorite album of 2011.

Album Review - The Gates of Slumber: The Wretch

Many of the albums that we review here at Heavy Planet feature an astounding mélange of musical styles and genres. Artists dabble in a little bit of this and a little bit of that, creating truly original soundscapes that defy classification. The Wretch is not one of those albums. You see The Gates of Slumber make no bones about it…they play one style of music and one style only. Their sound is lethargically paced, ominously themed and never strays from heavy. I’ll put it to you this way, if you came to Heavy Planet today in search of doom…well friend…you fucking got it.

Now if you’re at all familiar with this Indianapolis trio’s history, you’ll notice that there are a few differences from the band’s previous efforts. For starters, newcomer J. “Cool” Clyde Paradis has replaced Bob Foust behind the drum kit, joining longtime bassist Jason McCash and of course vocalist, guitarist and founding member Karl Simon in the lineup. Also noticeably absent this time around are the overt references to swords and sorcery and other such fantastical themes and images. One look at the cover of The Wretch and you know this isn’t your typical Conan the Barbarian inspired Gates of Slumber album. Finally, this release marks the end of the band’s affiliation with Sanford Parker, producer of the last two Slumber albums, Hymns of Blood and Thunder (2009) and Conqueror (2008). At the recommendation of their label (Rise Above Records), The Gates of Slumber flew to London and holed up in the attic of Jaime Arellano (producer of Ghost’s acclaimed Rise Above release, Opus Eponymous) to hash out the eight tracks that would become their most raw and honest album to date.

This is apparent right out of the gates (pardon the pun) as we’re introduced to The Wretch by way of its opening track “Bastards Born”, which features a lumbering, Sabbath-like riff and Simon’s Ozzy meets Tommy Victor (Prong) vocals as he bellows “lies are told and curses laid…shame is carried…a debt unpaid”. The song plods along like a drunken Neanderthal (and I mean that as the sincerest of compliments) until Simon breaks the monotony with a blistering guitar solo. One that seems all the more frenetic due to the contrast it creates with McCash’s sluggishly fuzzed out bass and Paradis’ beyond patient beats. To say this song’s pacing is methodical would be a severe understatement. Simon exits his solo and delves right back into the heavy riffing that started this archetypal doom number as he moans “and when your high horse has been brought down…and in your own lies you’ve surely drowned”. Classic!

“The Scovrge Ov Drvnkenness” kicks this beast into a gallop, featuring a much more up-tempo riff that also happens to be catchy as all hell. True story…the damn thing grooves so good, I got caught off guard the first time I heard it and was unknowingly spotted by drivers to my left and to my right at a traffic light as I banged my head unmercifully. Fucking embarrassing…thanks Gates of Slumber. In all seriousness, my understanding is that this was actually the song that Karl Simon originally intended to be the title track of the album, but decided against it at the last minute for fear that people may mistake it’s meaning as a “party album”. The true gist of the song, both musically and lyrically is quite the opposite. It is a dark and dismal glance into the dangerous temptations of alcohol. “All your life you’ve cast away…a slave to drink you will stay.”

"To the Rack with Them" keeps the rhythm accelerated and the lyrics bleak. Don't get me wrong though, we ain't talking speed metal here…when I say "accelerated", I mean The Gates of Slumber are moving just faster than a crawl…and that's a good thing. By now, Jaime Arellano's stellar production on the album becomes clear as he allows each instrument to stand out clearly without any one overpowering the others. This is especially apparent here where McCash's thick ass bass lines rumble your guts while Simon seamlessly launches into another fret burning guitar solo and it all flows smoothly through Paradis' beats…not one thing is lost and yet nothing seems overwhelming.

"Day of Farewell" is possibly the most depressing seven minutes ever put to tape. As the song opens we hear Simon groan "I grow tired of this world…I know all there is to know…the fruit is bland and the wine is dry…why continue this lie?" But his pain is our pleasure as the song is another instant doom classic, keeping things slow and low and as foreboding as anything you'll hear. That goes for "Castle of the Devil" as well, which begins with a solemn guitar line accompanied by Simon's wicked prose, until The Gates of Slumber unleash their overwhelming onslaught of heaviness on your eardrums. But wait…just when you think you know where this track is headed, Paradis breaks it down with a funky beat…McCash follows suit…and out of nowhere, Simon starts jamming out on a bluesy solo with brazen disregard for conformity. This willingness to branch out is what makes The Wretch stand apart from other recent offerings by the band's peers.

Believe it or not, as much as I like everything The Gates of Slumber have to offer here, "Coven of Cain" may just be my favorite track on the album. This one is another of the band's shorter, "faster" songs and when they break it down at about one and a half minutes in, I promise you'll be ripping the volume knob off your stereo (or spinning the shit out of the volume wheel on your ipod). The album's title track is over eight minutes of pure sonic drudgery, ploughing its way through your skull. Sample lyric…"I sold my soul so long ago and got nothing in the deal…Imagine what a fool I feel". Pour yourself some red wine, light a few candles and shut your eyes for this one…hell you might even try playing it backwards…see what happens. And then The Wretch concludes with "Iron and Fire", a near thirteen minute opus that grinds its gears from second down to first and back again and features enough of the band's gravid riffage and pure blasphemy to send this one straight to hell.

The Gates of Slumber have created a fine album here, one that doesn't rely on recycled riffs and choruses simply for the sake of extending a song beyond a five minute run time. Every note…every lyric on The Wretch seems carefully crafted and meticulously placed. Furthermore, the band did well to distance themselves from the Dungeons and Dragons themes of their past, replacing them instead with lyrical content that tends to actually say something…even if what they're saying may not be all rosy and bright. The fact is doom ain't a pretty scene…and The Gates of Slumber sure as hell ain't a pretty band. But dammit that's why I love this shit and I can guarantee you if you're still with me this far, you're gonna love it too.

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Track Listing:

01 Bastards Born
02 The Scovrge Ov Drvnkenness
03 To the Rack with Them
04 Day of Farewell
05 Castle of the Devil
06 Coven of Cain
07 The Wretch
08 Iron and Fire

Band Members:

Karl Simon – Guitars/Vocals
Jason McCash – Bass
J “Cool” Clyde Paradis - Drums

The Gates of Slumber Announce New US Tour

Heralded Indianapolis, IN doom metal masters The Gates of Slumber have announced a fall, 2008 U.S. tour in support of their celebrated new album Conqueror. The respected power trio will team up with fellow Indianapolis metal troupe Demiricous for a four week, 27 city trek that is scheduled to kick off on November 8.

Dubbed the “Conquest of Poverty Tour”, the Metal Maniacs magazine-sponsored expedition will spotlight a band that has been called “a breath of fresh air within the doom/true metal underground” in The Gates of Slumber. Since 2006, tGoS has consistently toured almost exclusively on European soil, where it has developed a rabid fan base. The band’s high-potency live performances have garnered serious word-of-mouth kudos and built it a cult following amongst the die-hard traditional metal/doom community, resulting in fans literally driving hours to catch the band’s live sets. Now, with the buzz surrounding The Gates of Slumber reaching new heights in the band’s home country, the time is right for the metal band to showcase its live muscle on domestic stages. The tour’s official admat can be viewed online at this location.


On the topic of the long-awaited U.S. tour dates, The Gates of Slumber guitarist/front man Karl Simon comments, “It`s exciting to think that we’re finally about to embark on a full U.S. tour in our fifth year as a band. Those who catch out live sets can expect a strong dose of Conqueror material, and for those long-time fans who have supported us all along, we`ll make sure to touch on the songs from the previous albums that are mainstays of our live set. And for those who only know our songs from Conqueror, you will not be disappointed as we`ve included what we feel is the strongest songs from the album! We`re champing at the bit to get it on. Expect blunt force trauma!”


Conqueror was released on May 27, 2008 via Profound Lore Records and is a mighty plunge that proves true heavy metal doubles as a powerful art form. The doomy, epic metal pillage was produced and recorded in full analog at Chicago’s Volume Studios and produced by Sanford Parker (Nachtmystium, Lair of the Minotaur, Pelican). The record’s crushing riffs brim with melody and “wailing” guitar solos, while the strong vocals of Simon and the band’s storming rhythm section hammer home songs such as “Trapped in the Web,” “Ice Worm,” and the ominous, four-part heavy metal odyssey, “Dark Valley Suite.” The band’s debut music video – for the song “Trapped in the Web” – has seen considerable TV play on MTV2’s long-running ‘Headbangers Ball’ program, generating further excitement for the band’s much-anticipated U.S. live dates.


Weaned on Black Sabbath, Saint 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 draws deep from heavy metal`s most powerful blood and delivers doom in its purest form. In addition to Simon, The Gates of Slumber features bassist Jason McCash and drummer “Iron” Bob Fouts.


Metal Maniacs presents the “Conquest of Poverty Tour” featuring The Gates of Slumber, with Demiricous
November 8: TBA
November 9: Denver, CO - Funhouse
November 10: Boise, ID - The Gusto Bar, with Cast Into Eternity (ex-Arsis)
November 11: Portland, OR - Satyricon
November 12: Seattle WA - Studio Seven
November 14: Oakland, CA - The Metro , with The Faceless, Decrepit Birth
November 15: Bakersfield, CA - Jerry`s Pizza
November 16: Los Angeles, CA - Black Castle
November 17: Tempe, AZ - Big Fish Pub
November 18: Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad
November 19: Abilene, TX - Midnight Rodeo
November 20: San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit, with AxCx
November 21: Austin, TX - Red 7, with AxCx
November 22: Dallas, TX - Reno`s Chop Shop, with AxCx
November 23: Corpus Christi, TX - The Compound , with AxCx, Dr Acula, Dance Club Massacre
November 24: New Orleans, LA - Dragon`s Den
November 25: Tallahassee, FL - The Engine Room
November 26: Tampa, FL - Brass Mug
November 28: Gainesville, FL - The Atlantic
November 29: Spartanburg, SC - Ground Zero
November 30: Baltimore, MD - Talking Head, with Strong Intention
December 1: New York, NY - Lit Lounge (Precious Metal Mondays), with Krallice
December 2: Rochester, NY - Bug Jar
December 3: Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
December 4: Columbus, OH - Ravari Room
December 5: Chicago, IL - The Metal Shaker
December 6: Indianapolis, IN - Emerson Theater

THE GATES OF SLUMBER: 'Suffer No Guilt', 'The Awakening' To Be Re-Released On Vinyl

Indianapolis doom metallers THE GATES OF SLUMBER will have their "Suffer No Guilt" and "The Awakening" albums re-released on vinyl in September/October via Iron Kodex.

The details are as follows:

* 350g heavy gatefold sleeve
* Inserts containing all lyrics and new liner notes
* Limited to 525 copies each
* Brand-new and exclusive artwork by Ken Kelly for "The Awakening"

For more information, visit www.ironkodex.de.

Video footage of THE GATES OF SLUMBER performing the song "Black River I" at the Declaration of Doom show on July 5, 2008 at the Sidebar in Baltimore, Maryland can be viewed below.

THE GATES OF SLUMBER's latest album, "Conqueror", was released in North America on May 27 via Profound Lore (I Hate in Europe). The CD was recorded at Volume Studios with producer Sanford Parker, who has previously worked with BIBLE OF THE DEVIL, LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR and NACHMYSTIUM, among others.

THE GATES OF SLUMBER filmed a video for the song "Trapped in the Web" on April 13 with Andy Reale (THROWDOWN, IMPENDING DOOM).

Album Of The Day-The Gates Of Slumber-"Conqueror" (2008)

The Album Of The Day is "Conqueror" By The Gates Of Slumber.



Review:

One need only read vocalist/guitarist Karl Simon's "thanks list" in the liner notes of "Conqueror", the new album by Indianapolis' THE GATES OF SLUMBER, to realize that this is anything but a new-school metal album. Stating "thanks for the inspiration to: CIRITH UNGOL, BUDGIE, LUCIFER'S FRIEND, URIAH HEEP and as always SAINT VITUS," it is obvious that Simon bleeds doom and traditional heavy metal, and "Conqueror" is a testament it. Easily one of the best doom/heavy metal albums of 2008, "Conqueror" is the sound of a band peaking.

While a doom album in a general sense, one that takes its cues from the likes of BLACK SABBATH and PENTAGRAM, it is also infused with classic heavy metal, making it one that offers an appeal wider than what one might expect from a pure doom disc. Simon's Wino-esque vocals have a way of seeping into the pores and demanding strict attention, while his guitar work is decidedly old school, his riffs and especially solos clearly influenced by Tony Iommi. Riff-wise, I cannot stress enough just how fantastic this album sounds, from the tone to the feel to the structures. The rhythm section of bassist Jason McCash and drummer "Iron" Bob Fouts is a powerful one, the bass lines, beats, and fills the perfect complement to Simon's monstrous riffs. Minimal overdubs give the compositions a natural feel and plenty of breathing room to allow the listener to completely immerse himself in the passionate playing of each member. The light synth playing that occasionally appears accents the songs splendidly.

At 62 minutes in length, this collection of eight tracks is surprisingly captivating and never boring, right down to 16-minute epic "Dark Valley Suite", which consists of four parts: "I. Black River I", "II. Lines Written with the Knowledge that I must Die", "III. Call of the Black Gods", and "IV. Black River II". The song takes you through peaks and valleys, emotional ups and downs, and the kinds of vibes that transcend mere rock composition. A nice mix of tempos is also key to the album's success, but when the band kicks it into high gear and rocks out at faster tempos, they really bring the house down; a galloping beast called "Children of Satan" a case in point. It is also, in my opinion, the album's best track, thanks in no small part to the infectious chorus.

With artwork and lyrics most fitting to the disc's sound and the always organic, larger than life production of Sanford Parker, "Conqueror" is a masterful release. It doesn't get much better. (Scott Alisoglu, Blabbermouth.net)

Track Listing:

01. Trapped in the Web (MP3)
02. Conqueror
03. Ice Worm (MP3)
04. Eyes of the Liar
05. Children of Satan
06. To Kill and Be King
07. The Machine
08. Dark Valley Suite
I. Black River I
II. Lines Written With the Knowledge That I must Die
III. Call of the Black Gods
IV. Black River II

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