Heralded Indianapolis, IN doom metal masters THE GATES OF SLUMBER have announced a fall, 2008 U.S. tour in support of their celebrated new album Conqueror. The respected power trio will team up with fellow Indianapolis metal troupe Demiricous for a four week, 27 city trek that is scheduled to kick off on November 8.

Dubbed the “Conquest of Poverty Tour”, the Metal Maniacs magazine-sponsored expedition will spotlight a band that has been called “a breath of fresh air within the doom / true metal underground” in THE GATES OF SLUMBER. Since 2006, tGoS has consistently toured almost exclusively on European soil, where it has developed a rabid fan base. The band’s high-potency live performances have garnered serious word-of-mouth kudos and built it a cult following amongst the die-hard traditional metal / doom community, resulting in fans literally driving hours to catch the band’s live sets. Now, with the buzz surrounding THE GATES OF SLUMBER reaching new heights in the band’s home country, the time is right for the metal band to showcase its live muscle on domestic stages. The tour’s official admat can be viewed online at this location.

On the topic of the long-awaited U.S. tour dates, THE GATES OF SLUMBER guitarist / front man Karl Simon comments, “It’s exciting to think that we’re finally about to embark on a full U.S. tour in our 5th year as a band. Those who catch out live sets can expect a strong dose of ‘Conqueror’ material, and for those long-time fans who have supported us all along, we’ll make sure to touch on the songs from the previous albums that are mainstays of our live set. And for those who only know our songs from ‘Conqueror’, you will not be disappointed as we’ve included what we feel is the strongest songs from the album! We’re champing at the bit to get it on. Expect blunt force trauma!”

Conqueror was released on May 27, 2008 via Profound Lore Records and is a mighty plunge that proves true heavy metal doubles as a powerful art form. The doomy, epic metal pillage was produced and recorded in full analog at Chicago’s Volume Studios and produced by Sanford Parker (Nachtmystium, Lair of the Minotaur, Pelican). The record’s crushing riffs brim with melody and “wailing” guitar solos, while the strong vocals of Simon and the band’s storming rhythm section hammer home songs such as “Trapped in the Web”, “Ice Worm” and the ominous, 4-part heavy metal odyssey, “Dark Valley Suite”. The band’s debut music video – for the song “Trapped in the Web” – has seen considerable TV play on MTV2’s long-running ‘Headbangers Ball’ program, generating further excitement for the band’s much-anticipated U.S. live dates.

Weaned on Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus, the melodic might of Iron Maiden and a host of classic bands from Thin Lizzy to Rainbow to Mercyful Fate, THE GATES OF SLUMBER draws deep from heavy metal’s most powerful blood and delivers doom in its purest form. In addition to Simon, THE GATES OF SLUMBER features bassist Jason McCash and drummer “Iron” Bob Fouts.

THE GATES OF SLUMBER U.S. tour dates:

Metal Maniacs presents the “Conquest of Poverty Tour” featuring THE GATES OF SLUMBER w/ Demiricous

November 8 TBA
November 9 Denver, CO @ Funhouse
November 10 Boise, ID @ The Gusto Bar (w/ Cast Into Eternity (ex-Arsis)
November 11 Portland, OR @ Satyricon
November 12 Seattle WA @ Studio Seven
November 14 Oakland, CA @ The Metro (w/ The Faceless, Decrepit Birth)
November 15 Bakersfield, CA @ Jerry’s Pizza
November 16 Los Angeles, CA @ Black Castle
November 17 Tempe, AZ @ Big Fish Pub
November 18 Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
November 19 Abilene, TX @ Midnight Rodeo
November 20 San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit (* w/ AxCx)
November 21 Austin, TX @ Red 7 (* w/ AxCx)
November 22 Dallas, TX @ Reno’s Chop Shop (* w/ AxCx)
November 23 Corpus Christi, TX @ The Compound (w/ AxCx, Dr Acula, Dance Club Massacre)
November 24 New Orleans, LA @ Dragon’s Den
November 25 Tallahassee, FL @ The Engine Room
November 26 Tampa, FL @ Brass Mug
November 28 Gainesville, FL @ The Atlantic
November 29 Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero
November 30 Baltimore, MD @ Talking Head (w/ Strong Intention)
December 1 New York, NY @ Lit Lounge – Precious Metal Mondays (* w/ Krallice)
December 2 Rochester, NY @ Bug Jar
December 3 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
December 4 Columbus, OH @ Ravari Room
December 5 Chicago, IL @ The Metal Shaker
December 6 Indianapolis, IN @ Emerson Theater