I am relatively new to the Gatecreeper fan bandwagon – I would say about 2 years now and their brand of buzzsaw Swedish inspired death metal, mixed with hardcore grooves and stomps is brutal, punishing, catchy and what drew me into them in the first place.  Being on lockdown during this Pandemic has been brutal for the music scene and this An Unexpected Reality ep, is just what was needed.   This will whet our whistle before the third Gatecreeper album is unleashed down the road – 8 songs in 18 minutes with varying styles encompassing the band’s strengths.

The first 6 songs account for a mere 6 minutes of the ep, with “Starved” getting things rolling with a monster growl, steamrolling into a punishing groove, then right into a fast paced death metal speed with the Swedish buzzsaw guitars carving demonic, toilet-paper infused faces across your body and then flushing your torso down the toilet.

During the Pandemic one of the things that started popping up were liquor stores delivering – OMG….found a place a ways from me that had my favorite Bourbon (Cask & Crew) therefore “Sick of Being Sober” is a righteous song, as it starts with a punishing late 80’s/early 90’s beat and Chase Mason letting out a vintage Celtic Frost Tom Warrior stylized ugghh – destructive and heavy song.

“Rusted Gold” is next with a monstrous opening double bass section ready to erupt chest cavities everywhere.  At 57 seconds it lops your head off before you know what swiped it off in the first place.  “Amputation” has a stop and start fast section and the groove part is excellent.  Then a nice little growl to end the 31 second beast.  “Superspreader” is the perfect song title and is relevant in today’s news.  Having more of a late 80’s/early 90’s speed and the guitars are so dense and heavy – perfection.

Once the short songs are over the 11 minute epic “Emptiness” rears its ugly doom/death head.  This has the essence of vintage Asphyx and some funeral-hopeless dirge style doom.  I cannot believe how damn heavy the guitars are and I really appreciate this song.  The double bass towards the end and epic buildup really show what Gatecreeper are capable of and I welcome more of these future songs.

An Unexpected Reality is an excellently produced, written, played and punch you in the face over and over and over again ep.  The cover is magnificent and each time I look at it I discover new and evil shit.  In case you’re wondering, yes I did this review in 18 sentences to keep pace with the 18 minute ep and I think this ep absolutely, violently destroys!

[Visit the band's website]

---

Comments