Arizona’s Gatecreeper haven’t exactly been basking in the sunlight lately. But with “Dark Superstition,” their third full-length album, they’re emerging from the crypt with a vengeance. The five-year wait since their last record might have had fans wondering if the band had gotten lost somewhere in the Arizona desert (a place that, as the album title suggests, has its own share of dark tales).
“Dark Superstition” is Gatecreeper’s defiant middle finger to complacency. Opener “Dead Star” throws the first punch, a head-bobbing monster riff that burrows into your brain like a particularly enthusiastic earwig. It sets the tone for an album that’ll pummel you like a prizefighter while simultaneously worming its way into your skull like an infectious pop tune.
This newfound melodic streak isn’t some sell-out move, though. Tracks like “Caught in the Treads” showcase Gatecreeper confidently straddling the line between their own signature sound and the hallowed ground of classic Swedish death metal. A big assist here comes from Dismember’s legendary Fred Estby, who co-produced the album. And the result is a glorious sonic juggernaut that crushes everything in its path.
“The Black Curtain” channels the swaggering rock n’ roll spirit of Entombed’s “Wolverine Blues,” while “Flesh Habit” throws a curveball with a touch of UK goth rock, channelling the dark atmospheres of Sisters of Mercy and Fields of the Nephilim. It’s a testament to the band’s songwriting that these seemingly disparate influences weave a cohesive and utterly satisfying tapestry.
Lyrically, the album delves into the shadows, exploring the macabre – the supernatural, the fear of the unknown, and the allure of dark magic. Mason weaves these themes with personal experiences, drawing inspiration from the band’s Arizona home, a state steeped in legends of hidden riches and lurking dangers within the Superstition Mountains.
Recorded at the legendary GodCity Studio with Converge’s Kurt Ballou, the sound on the record is nothing short of immense. The guitars are gloriously chainsaw-like in their fury, the drums pound with relentless precision, and the bass throbs like a monstrous heartbeat. Everything is perfectly dialled in to showcase Chase Mason’s vocals, which have never sounded better. The lyrics are more intelligible than ever before, allowing the full weight of Mason’s storytelling to shine through.
On “Dark Superstition,” Gatecreeper has taken their sound, honed it to a razor’s edge, and infused it with a newfound ambition. This album will not only solidify their place as death metal royalty but also propel them to conquer even greater sonic territories. Turn it up!
Photo By Trenton Woods
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