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Gateway to Hell Premiere “Tin Roof” from Clovers EP

Posted in audiObelisk on July 6th, 2017 by JJ Koczan

gateway to hell

Baltimore doom rockers Gateway to Hell make a raucous entry on July 21 with their five-track Clovers EP. The band, currently comprised of vocalist Jerrod Sydnor, guitarist Alex Briscoe, bassist Eric Smythe and drummer Dan Petruccelli, have aligned with Unholy Anarchy Records for the release, which marks their most substantial outing to-date behind their 2014 demo and the subsequent digital-single “Scorched Earth,” which also appears on Clovers as the finale of the ultra-manageable 22-minute run. From the start of the opening title-track (posted here), Gateway to Hell demonstrate a keen sonic blend somewhere between trad metal, doom, burly Southern heavy and — because why not? — sludge, but the material comes tied together through a steady purpose of songcraft and structure, and goes out of its way to create an album-style flow as “Clovers” moves through “Tin Roof,” centerpiece “The Drizzard,” the acoustic interlude “Rain for Days” and the aforementioned capstone.

The interlude is of particular note, and not just because it is well-placed ahead of “Scorched Earth.” By includinggateway to hell clovers even just a sub-two-minute number of layered acoustic plucking, Gateway to Hell — grim in moniker but ultimately more varied in execution and less outwardly abrasive than one might think based on that — signal an intent toward future progression of sound, and I wouldn’t be surprised to find them either adding vocals to something similar (Sydnor could carry an acoustic-backed melody, easily) or working in acoustic layers to a harder-hitting song their next time out. Point is they’re setting themselves up for growth, which is never a bad thing, and they do so amid the thrust of “Tin Roof” and the crisp groove of “The Drizzard”; already showcasing a grip on where they want to be in terms of delivery. I thought on my initial listen to “Clovers” that the balance of the mix was off in putting the vocals too far forward, but to listen again, I’m ready to revise my position. May have just been whatever speakers I had it on the first time through. Certainly by the time “Tin Roof” and “The Drizzard” give way to “Rain for Days” and “Scorched Earth,” if there was an issue at all, it’s no longer a factor.

As you make your way through the track premiere below, pay specific attention to the atmosphere the song conjures — dark and heavy, but still given to motion and created not through self-indulgent flourish but through solid and traditional songwriting and a well-conveyed sense of direction. That holds true for the entirety of Clovers and is among the factors that most bodes well for Gateway to Hell as they move ahead toward their inevitable first full-length.

Unholy Anarchy has preorders up now for Clovers ahead of the July 21 release. That info, more background and some word directly from the band follow the premiere itself, which you’ll find immediately following.

Please enjoy:

Gateway to Hell on “Tin Roof”:

“Tin Roof” is our take on the dread conjured every time you turn on the TV news or pick up a newspaper. There’s an overwhelming sense that society as we know it is on a downward curve and that the ones up top are just completely oblivious as the world crumbles around them.

The title is a shout-out to “Love Shack” by the B-52s. We felt the pause in the song would be the perfect opportunity for Cindy Wilson to belt out the “tin roof, rusted!” from “Love Shack,” so “Tin Roof” was what we named the early demo tracks and it just stuck. We felt it fit thematically — years of neglecting the simple upkeep leading to a full collapse of the house.

This song is about as political as we’ll ever get but we tried to be careful not to be too specific, as there’s nothing more boring than when a singer sounds like they are reading from a newspaper. As always, the riff comes first…

Clovers will come available digitally and on limited edition vinyl July 21 in three color variations (orange/pink merge, clear with blue splatter, and standard black) via Unholy Anarchy Records. Preorders are currently available RIGHT HERE.

Gateway to Hell is:
Jerrod Sydnor – vocals
Alex Briscoe – guitar
Eric Smythe – bass
Dan Petruccelli – drums

Gateway to Hell on Thee Facebooks

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Gateway to Hell Set July 21 Release for Clovers EP

Posted in Whathaveyou on June 29th, 2017 by JJ Koczan

gateway to hell

Baltimore’s severely-named Gateway to Hell will issue their debut five-track EP, Clovers, via Unholy Anarchy Records on July 21. The band have posted the grim-looking cover art by Ru Gomez and the tracklisting, as well as the opening title-track, which you can stream at the bottom of this post, and which leaves little to wonder about where the PR wire’s noted Danzig influence stems from.

“Clover” isn’t quite Maryland-style doom, and by that I mean it doesn’t necessarily sound like The Obsessed, and while I can’t speak for the rest of the EP, the roll in the title-cut seems to work well for the band. Dig in and see what you think. You’ve got a couple minutes to spare.

Art, info and audio from the PR wire:

gateway-to-hell-clovers

GATEWAY TO HELL: Baltimore Doom Metal Unit To Release Debut EP Via Unholy Anarchy Records; New Track Streaming

Baltimore doom metal unit GATEWAY TO HELL – fittingly self-described as a, “groovy, ghoulish mix of doom metal and the laughter of ugly children, with a touch of inebriation and shame – will release their debut EP next month via Unholy Anarchy Records.

Slated to drop on July 21st, the five bottom-heavy ragers comprising Clovers were captured at Developing Nations with Kevin Bernsten on their home turf and douses its listeners with heavy riffs, an exceptional vocal attack, and sheer, unrepentant catchiness. The Maryland four-piece conjure loud music about things that matter. Whether it’s a slow burning, existential lament or a fast-paced scorcher about regrettable, late-night, drunken food orgies, GATEWAY TO HELL draws influences from all over the musical spectrum including Deep Purple, Danzig, and of course, Black Sabbath.

Clovers will come available digitally and on limited edition vinyl in three color variations (orange/pink merge, clear with blue splatter, and standard black). Preorders are currently available RIGHT HERE.

Clovers Track Listing:
1. Clovers
2. Tin Roof
3. The Drizzard
4. Rain For Days
5. Scorched Earth

GATEWAY TO HELL was forged in 2013 when drummer Dan Petruccelli and bassist Rudy Gomez started jamming in the basement of an otherwise reputable Baltimore cake shop. Taking cues from John Carpenter soundtracks, Type O Negative, and Ministry, they realized they were onto something fun and brought in Jerrod Bronson on vocals and Jo K. on guitar to complete the initial lineup. The band released a self-recorded demo in October of 2014 and shows with the likes of The Skull and Crypt Sermon ensued.

By 2015, Gomez moved to Austin, Texas but remains an integral part of the band as the painter responsible for much of the band’s artwork. Eric Smythe was brought in on bass and later Alex Briscoe joined as a second guitarist. Together, they played shows regionally opening for Valient Thorr, The Bronx, Mac Sabbath, and Mondo Generator. In the spring of 2016, they recorded the soon-to-be-unleashed Clovers EP featuring five songs of atmospheric and crushing metal that fuses their many metal and punk influences. Later that year, Jo K. fled the band to pursue new projects. The band remains a four-piece. GATEWAY TO HELL’s catalog includes a self-titled demo, one single titled “Scorched Earth,” and their upcoming 2017 debut EP Clovers. The band is currently writing new material for their next album.

Gateway to Hell is:
Jerrod Sydnor – vocals
Alex Briscoe – guitar
Joe Koffler – guitar
Eric Smythe – bass
Dan Petruccelli – drums

http://www.facebook.com/Gatewaytohellbmore http://www.gatewaytohell.bandcamp.com
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http://www.unholyanarchy.com
http://www.unholyanarchy.aisamerch.com

Gateway to Hell, “Clovers”

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