Gatecreeper – ‘An Unexpected Reality’

Hailing from Arizona, these chaps have already released numerous EP’s and albums since their inception in 2013. Previous album  ‘Deserted‘ showcases their slow-death credentials, with an overwhelming nod to Obituary (and I love Obituary). Latest album ‘An Unexpected Reality‘ takes it up a notch with a faster, angrier pace, with a twist ending. This is 18 minutes of fury and chaos. This is 18 minutes of utter brilliance. Dare to blink and you will get destroyed.

Opener ‘Starved‘ mixes a gritty death metal/grind onslaught before heading in to the thrash and hardcore crossover stylings of Suicidal Tendencies on ‘Sick of Being Sober‘.

‘Imposter Syndrome‘ is reminiscent of an Obituary/Carcass bastard hybrid. We can’t catch our breaths as one song bleeds straight in to the next and there’s no letting up. Not until final track ‘Emptiness‘, which let’s us slow down with its Crowbar-esque heavy snail pace melody that crushes the very soul before heading in to Cult of Luna territories of heavy yet relaxing melodies. For 11 minutes. You do the maths. It’s a complete departure from the frenzy of music that came before, but such a great way to finish, like the final deathly blow.

Once the album finished, I took a moment to think about what I’d just heard. eight tracks; 18 minutes. The insane first seven tracks, the epic final track. I seem to have another 18 minutes to spare. There’s only one thing to do..