Interview with
Karl Simon of The Gates of Slumber By Steve Earles - June 2010
The Gates of Slumber
originally opened, so to speak, in 1998, now this was
metal’s very own Dark Ages, and not in good way.
Rap-metal, nu-metal, and every kind of false misogynist
garbage masquerading as music was heralded by the trendy
advert-seeking music press. Did you begin your true
metal crusade in response to such shite as System of
Down, Limp Bizkit etc?
I can't say that really, I started doing The Gates of
Slumber because the band I had been in at the time was
moving in a very Stoner Rock direction, and I wanted to
do something Doom, ala Saint Vitus, Warning, Revelation
and the likes. I never really cared for the nu-metal
shit, obviously... and frankly I'm still somewhat
ignorant of what that scene was all about, I heard the
big singles and thought it was sonic dogshit...
Would it be true to say The Gates of Slumber are
better known in Europe than your native America, maybe
that is as it should be, as you clearly have many
European metal influences?
I'd say so, we always focused on Europe more than the
US. Europe is less trendy; for a style of music that
eschews trends it follows you'd want a hardcore
audience.
What are The Gates of Slumber’s main influences, a)
Musically b) Lyrically, c) Philosophically?
Musically I'd have to go with Saint Vitus in the end,
there are a lot of other influences, but Vitus is the
over riding factor in the sound. The lyrics are pretty
much all over the map, though I do prefer the approach
that Dave Chandler took with his... simple and straight
forward. The philosophy is pure Motorhead: do as much as
you can without compromising the sound.
Of course, it was with Conqueror in 2008 that the
Gates began to make an impact in the States?
Well it was the first time that a record of ours was
available in North America in shops without an import
deal. We also got some major press attention on that
record so that all helped, you know.
You released several well-received demos such as the
delightfully metal-titled Blood Encrusted Deth Axe (No
doubt encrusted with the foul gore of nu-metal. That is
as it should be!), The Cloaked Figure, and the even more
awesomely titled Sabbath Witch. When you factor in your
singles, EPs, splits and compilation appearances, you
must have one almighty collection of obscure material to
release?
I guess so, we just like to do things, for us... I mean
there is nothing wrong with a band taking it's time, we
just like to stay busy and not let things rest for too
long. Other bands only do a record every 4-5 years, we
aren't like that.
Your debut was the aptly titled The Awakening in
2004, how do you feel about it now?
I still love the thing, in a lot of ways I think it
could still be our best record. There is a school of
thought that after the first couple of records a band
should break up, as they've said whatever they are going
to say. But then I love all the rest of it too. So there
you go... .
You followed that up with Suffer No Guilt, you have a
very impressive work ethic
Thanks, we just wanted to put out a strong record, and
even though SnG has some flaws it's still pretty cool I
think.
Conqueror I feel, is the album that really began to
put Gates of Slumber on the map, would you agree?
In a lot of ways yes, but Suffer was also very popular,
we still get requests for Angel of Death, Riders of Doom
and God Wills It all the time. For a lot of people that
was our moment... .
To me, Hymns of Blood and Thunder really shows you at
your best. Never mind genres of metal, I think it’s one
of the best true metal albums of the past decade.
Timeless music, real songs, crushing heavy, modern but
being respectful and inspired by what came before. Death
Dealer is up there with Exciter or Master of Puppets!
And I love all the classic albums you name check on Iron
Hammer!
... Blood and Thunder was meant to be the record that
Conqueror wasn't. There are some strong songs on
Conqueror, but there are a few mis-steps I think.
...Blood and Thunder I feel is a pretty strong statement
for us.
And like Conqueror before it, that is an awesome
cover (you can’t really go wrong with a comely strumpet
and the Death Dealer!)
That was the aim, to do homage to Frazetta's Death
Dealer and not get sued for it! I'm glad that the cover
went over so well.
How did your deal with Rise Above come about?
Well, we had heard that they were interested in signing
us, and at the time the situation with I Hate was pretty
bleak, I don't think they cared to keep working with us,
when we looked over the contract it was about as fair as
anything we'd ever seen so we went with it... the choice
was pretty obvious. We did take a lot of shit for it,
but I think the record speaks for itself.
Lee is the ultimate music fan, I’ve known him for
many years and he’s a great bloke, he couldn’t do enough
for you, and he loves vinyl, which is as if should
be…only vinyl is real!
Lee is a really good guy, unfairly maligned I think.
There are a lot of people who slate him without thought.
And it's not fair. Dude's always been good to us.
You were fantastic on your tour with Cathedral and
Church of Misery, three very true bands on the same
bill. Church of Misery are unique, while Cathedral are
criminally underrated-easily in the top ten of metal
bands Britain has produced ever (something in the air in
The Midlands!)
Thank you. That tour was a hell of a lot of fun and I
felt it was an honor to share the stage with Church of
Misery and Cathedral. I hope we get to do it again some
day.
What can we expect from the next album?
Well, I think for some it may be a bit of a let down...
Jason and I have been talking about the direction and we
both kind of feel that it's passed time we make a pure
doom metal record. We've done a lot of straight up metal
over the last two records; I think it's time we silence
some of our critics in the underground and grind them
out under our heel. The next record will be doom.
What are your future plans, and who would your ideal
touring partners be, I’d love to see you go out with a
high-profile band?
Right now we are taking some time to write a few songs
and see what's what. In the fall we are meant to be back
in Europe with... well there is a lot of talk now. I'd
personally love to tour with Motorhead, I think we'd
have a damned good time with them.
It’s so sad about Dio, the man that gave us three of the
greatest metal albums ever taken from us by the cruel
scourge of cancer. What are your feelings on this? And
would you agree that now, more than ever, we need more
bands to take up his torch?
It was very sad that Dio died... a real shame. I mean
who can be happy about that? I'd say that it's always
the time for people to follow his example and make the
best music they can that comes straight from their
heart. Cos that's what Dio did.
On a lighter note (but no less important). I am very
impressed by your good taste in wearing a Born Again
t-shirt, as that is a criminally underrated album (Did
anyone ever notice that Guns N Roses ripped off Zero The
Hero from that album for Paradise City?). The most
important question is, can you get me a Born Again
t-shirt, if you do, I’ll send you a bottle of genuine
Poitín from Ireland in return…then we’ll see if you can
drink!
I'll keep my eye peeled for a Born Again shirt, but to
be honest I'm not as heavy a drinker as I used to be.
There was a time when I could hang in with the best of
them... now, a few beers and I'm done. Sad to say,
well... not so sad. I still feature a drink but the days
of sitting up with mad Belgians and Finns until the sun
is well up drinking whiskey and milk are thankfully
gone.
Personally, I think that Gillan should had had another
record with Sabbath, in a lot of ways he could have been
the ultimate singer for the band: able to do the Dio
songs and the Ozzy ones. He has a set of leather lungs
and frankly a better range than Dio ever did. And as
much soul as Oz. It could have been...
Finally, anything you’d like to add?
I can tell, seen before I know the way I know the Law,
can't believe can't obey, I can't agree with the things
I hear you say, oh don't ask me why... I can't go on
with all the filthy vile lies... Stay Clean.
