The Gates of Slumber Interview: SXSW 2010

The Gates of Slumber are a doom metal band from Indianapolis. After the success of their impressive 2008 full length 'Conqueror,' they dropped their fourth album -- 'Hymns of Blood & Thunder' -- this past September and are now ready to take the success that is rightfully theirs in the country they call home. Spinner recently spoke with the band in anticipation of their stint at SXSW.

Describe your sound in your own words.

Our sound is basically a mix of the early new wave of British heavy metal mixed with classic American doom metal like Trouble, Saint Vitus, and Pentagram. Sonically, we attempt to bring forward classic heavy metal from '79-'84 and bridge it with the current age.

How did the band form?

I was playing in a band back in 1998 that seemed to be drifting away from heavy metal and getting closer to like, a stoner rock thing, so I wrote three songs and decided to do a 7" project that turned into more songs and eventually morphed into a full length and then the full band slowly turned into a real thing.

What are your musical influences?

Saint Vitus. Wonderfully lo-fi melodic heavy metal. A cross between their lo-fi sound, and the more erudite stylings of bands like Witchfinder General, Judas Priest etc, inspired me to pick up an instrument. Outside them, Trouble, Manilla Road, Cirith Ungol and Angel Witch.

How did you come up with your band name?

The Chicago death metal band, Cianide. Their 'Descent Into Hell' album, the first track is called 'Gates Of Slumber.' I was smoking a little herb and listening to it one night when I was working on some songs for the new project in 1998 and I decided to name the new project after that. I actually drew a pretty cool logo that night that too never got used and I really wish I still had it, I'd totally use it now.

What's your biggest vice?

Music. Music itself. Playing music is my biggest vice. I mean, I have others but they don't get me in nearly as much trouble as music does.

What's in your festival survival kit?

We don't really have one; we just sort of drop back and punt. That's pretty much how we do everything [laughs]. The way we see it, a festival date is just one more night on a tour. We don't treat it any differently. As far as a tour survival guide, I always have my sleep mask, some maximum blockage ear plugs, about 30 bucks in my pocket for good beer wherever I may end up, and, I don't know, maybe some Conan comic magazines. My SXSW plan is to play, watch High on Fire and hopefully find a showing of the new Lemmy movie. We won't be around for the premiere so I'm really hoping I can catch it before we have to shove off again.

What's your dream show lineup?

Oh, man. Black Sabbath with Ian Gillan and Bill Ward, playing stuff from every single album. As support? Cirith Ungol from the 'King of the Dead' era, and Manilla Road doing 'Mark of the Beast.' There would also be a pre-show show, like in the parking lot, with Pagan Altar and Witchfinder General.

No appearance from the Gates of Slumber on that bill?

No way, man, I want to watch. To play? Judas Priest, Motorhead, and actually High on Fire. They are amazing. I think they're easily one of the best bands playing right now and I'm really stoked to play with them at SXSW.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

What kind of guilty are we talking here? I mean I can go folk music, pop music, what were you thinking on this one?

Let's go all the way guilty. Pop music.

ABBA. I love ABBA, I grew you on ABBA. My mom used to spin their greatest hits on the 8 track in her VW bus and those songs are burned into my brain. I actually bought it a couple of years ago at a used CD store and I walked up to the counter with it and the guy behind the counter looked at me with darts in his eyes. I don't care though I love it and it's some of my earliest memories of music. And, hey, everyone wishes they could be Bjorn again.

What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while on tour?

We've seen a lot of crazy situations, but I'd have to say sleeping on broken glass in a parking lot at the crossing at Dover while on tour with Earthride. We'd just played in London and needed to be in Rotterdam the next night and we had to drive from London to Dover overnight. I slept outside before we made the crossing; I just laid my sleeping bag out in this parking lot with broken glass under it. It was pretty surreal. So yeah, passing up like 400 cute English girls who wanted to party with us--and Earthride--to live the monastic pleasures of sleeping on glass outdoors in southern England.

Ok, last question. Who would win in a fight, Lemmy or God?

Without a doubt, Lemmy. I mean, there is no God. And if there was and he was a flaming bush or something, Lemmy would totally piss on him. I've got Lemmy's back on that all the way, and if he reads this: We'll work for free! I'll carry ALL your gear! We just wanna tour with him [laughs].


Dan Maxwell is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.