The Gates of Slumber

The Gates of Slumber was a doom metal band from Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The group is better known in Germany and England than in their native United States.^[1] Their first release distributed within the U.S. was 2008's Conqueror, released on Profound Lore Records.^[1]

History

The band was formed by Karl Simon in 1998, but didn't have an official lineup until 2001, when bassist Dr. Phibes and drummer Jamie Walters joined the band. 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 Chuck Brown replaced Gordon later that year.^[2]

Stability continued to evade the band until 2003, when Jason McCash joined the band as bassist following the departure of Elliott. 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 J "Cool" Clyde Paradis, who was a member of the band for two years until he was replaced by the returning Fouts.^[2]

Longtime member Jason McCash left the band in September 2013, and Simon and Fouts decided to dissolve the band shortly thereafter, in September 2013. It was announced by Simon that McCash had died on April 5, 2014, and that as a consequence of this, he would never reform The Gates of Slumber.^[3]

Band members

Final lineup

• Karl Simon – vocals, guitars (1998–2013)
• Jason McCash – bass (2003–2013; died April 5, 2014)
• "Iron" Bob Fouts – drums (2005–2010, 2012–2013)

Former members

• Dr. Phibes - bass (2001-2002)
• Jamie Walters - drums (2001-2002)
• Brad Elliott – bass (2002–2003)
• Chris "The Fist" Gordon – drums (2002, 2005)
• Chuck Brown – drums (2002–2005)
• J "Cool" Clyde Paradis – drums (2010–2012; died August 13, 2016^[4])

Timeline

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)
• 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)
• 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)
• 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 Website
• Myspace Page
• Gates of Slumber at Pure Volume
• Gates of Slumber page at Encyclopaedia Metallum