The Gates of Slumber is an American
doom metal
Doom metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other heavy metal genres.K. Kahn-Harris, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'' ...
band from
Indianapolis
Indianapolis (), colloquially known as Indy, is the state capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the seat of Marion County. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the consolidated population of Indianapolis and Marion ...
,
Indiana
Indiana () is a U.S. state in the Midwestern United States. It is the 38th-largest by area and the 17th-most populous of the 50 States. Its capital and largest city is Indianapolis. Indiana was admitted to the United States as the 19th s ...
. The group is better known in Germany and England than in their native United States.
[Gates of Slumber drop first domestic release]
'' NUVO'', May 2008. Their first release distributed within the U.S. was 2008's ''
Conqueror'', released on
Profound Lore Records
Profound Lore Records is a Canadian independent record label founded in May 2004, which "began as the 'hobby-like venture' of a few friends but, over the past six years, the label has evolved into a one-man enterprise, shaped a distinct 'aestheti ...
.
History
First era (1997–2013)
The band was formed by Karl Simon in 1997 as The Keep with himself on vocals and bass, Jason McCash on guitar, and Chuck Brown on drums. The band released two demos, then McCash and Brown left in 1999. Simon switched to guitar, and renamed the band The Gates of Slumber. In 2000, he recruited bassist Dr. Phibes and drummer Jamie Walters. However, personality and commitment clashes led to Phibes and Walters leaving the band, leaving Simon to bring in Brad Elliott and Chris "The Fist" Gordon as replacements. This lineup was also short-lived and the original lineup of Jason McCash and Chuck Brown replaced Elliot and Gordon on bass and drums, respectively, in 2003.
[The Gates of Slumber]
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This lineup lasted until 2005, when conflicts between Brown and the rest of the band led to his departure. After being briefly replaced by a returning Gordon, the position of drummer fell to "Iron" Bob Fouts. This lineup lasted for five years between 2005 and 2010; the longest-lasting lineup in the history of the band. In 2010, Fouts was replaced by Jerry "Cool" Clyde Paradis, who was a member of the band for two years until he was replaced by the returning Fouts in 2012. Longtime member Jason McCash left the band in September 2013, and Simon and Fouts decided to dissolve the band shortly thereafter, in September 2013.
Deaths and reformation (2014–present)
It was announced by Karl Simon that Jason McCash had died on April 5, 2014, at age 37 from a heroin overdose, and that as a consequence of this, he would never reform The Gates of Slumber. However, in April 2019, Simon decided to reform the band, with original drummer Chuck Brown, and new bassist Steve Janiak.
Jerry Clyde Paradis died in 2016 from heat stroke. He was 46 years old. Bob Fouts died on April 28, 2020, at age 45. No cause of death was revealed.
Band members
;Current members
* Karl Simon – vocals (1997–2013), bass (1997–1999), guitar (2000–2013, 2019–present)
* Chuck Brown – drums (1997–1999, 2003–2004, 2019-present)
* Steve Janiak – bass (2019–present)
;Former members
* Dr. Phibes – bass (2000–2002)
* Jamie Walters – drums (2000–2002)
* Brad Elliott – bass (2002–2003)
* Chris Gordon – drums (2002–2003)
* Jason McCash – guitar (1997–1999), bass (2003–2013; died 2014)
* Bob Fouts – drums (2005–2010, 2012–2013, died 2020)
* Jerry Clyde Paradis – drums (2010–2012; died 2016)
;Timeline
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Discography
;Studio albums
* ''...The Awakening'', 2004 (Final Chapter)
* ''Suffer no Guilt'', 2006 (I Hate Records)
* '' Conqueror'', 2008 (I Hate Records / Profound Lore)
* ''Hymns of Blood and Thunder'', 2009 (Rise Above Records
Rise Above Records is a London-based independent record label owned by Lee Dorrian (of the band Cathedral and formerly of Napalm Death).
Founding
Lee Dorrian started Rise Above Records in 1988 without the intention of the label being an ongoi ...
)
* ''The Wretch'', 2011 (Rise Above Records)
;EPs
* ''Like a Plague upon the Land'' (2005; Hellride Music)
* ''God Wills It'' (2006; Slumbering Souls records)
* ''The Ice Worm's Lair'' (2008)
* ''The Hyena Sessions'' (2010)
* ''Stormcrow'' (2013)
;Singles
* ''The Jury'' (2011)
;Compilations
* ''Villain, Villain'' 2LP compilation, 2007 (Metal Supremacy)
* ''Chronicles of True Doom'' 4LP compilation, 2009 (Iron Kodex Records)
;Splits
* ''The Gates of Slumber / The Dream is Dead'' split EP, 2007 (Relapse Records
Relapse Records is an American independent record label based in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. It was founded by Matthew F. Jacobson in 1990. The label features many grindcore, death metal, metalcore and sludge metal artists.
History
The label was ...
)
* ''From Ultima Thule'' Split CD with Spiritus Mortis 2007 (Emissary Records)
* ''The Gates of Slumber / Crowning Glory'' Split 7" 2008 (Rise Above Records)
;Demos
* ''Blood Encrusted Deth Axe'' demo, 2000
* ''Sabbath Witch'' demo, 2002
* ''The Cloaked Figure'' demo, 2004
;Compilation appearances
* ''Chariots Arrive Again Vol.2'' Comp, 2004 (Foreshadow Productions)
* ''A Dark World'' Comp, 2004 (Final Chapter)
* ''CM Disro Sampler 2004'' Comp, 2004 (Century Media
A century is a period of 100 years. Centuries are numbered ordinally in English and many other languages. The word ''century'' comes from the Latin ''centum'', meaning ''one hundred''. ''Century'' is sometimes abbreviated as c.
A centennial or ...
)
* ''Constant Migraine'' Comp CD 2007 (Constant Migraine Records)
References
The Gates of Slumber – God Wills It, Slumbering Souls – 01 – 2005 ( Red Vinyl – LP. ) ( German )
External links
Official WebsiteMyspace PageGates of Slumber at Pure VolumeGates of Slumber page at Encyclopaedia Metallum
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gates of Slumber, The
American doom metal musical groups
Heavy metal musical groups from Indiana
Musical groups established in 1998
Musical groups disestablished in 2013
American musical trios
Profound Lore Records artists