CoC : The Gates of Slumber - Conqueror : Review

The Gates of Slumber - _Conqueror_
(I Hate Records, 2008)
by: Quentin Kalis (8 out of 10)

When the cover picture looks like something from "Conan the Barbarian", true heavy metal cannot be far behind. Add to this a dose of traditional doom along the lines of Saint Vitus, a healthy pinch of Black Sabbath, and that basically sums up _Conqueror_. Despite songs as such as "To Kill and Be King" and their codpiece metal approach, some songs are actually focused on socio-political topics. Seriously. The vocals are clearly enunciated, and while he ain't Dio, he ain't no Ozzy either. The tempo is largely mid-paced. The major failing is the overly ambitious "Dark Valley Suite", a sixteen minute, overlong and drawn out song tacked on to the end. Maybe the band wanted to prove something or other, but there is not a single memorable riff within this song. There is still plenty to enjoy before this songs appears -- a whole 45 minutes -- and _Conqueror_ is another testament to I Hate Records' prowess for sniffing out quality doom bands.

Contact: http://www.myspace.com/thegatesofslumber

(article published 13/12/2008)

ALBUMS
4/1/2010	A Erickson	8	The Gates of Slumber - Hymns of Blood and Thunder