GATECREEPER hailing from Phoenix, Arizona were formed in 2013. The Death Metal outfit released two EPs, one live album and “Dark Superstition” is their third full-length album. It was recorded, produced, and mixed by Kurt Ballou (ALL PIGS MUST DIE; NAILS; TOXIC HOLOCAUST), and mastered by Alan Douches (CANNIBAL CORPSE; DEATH; KILLSWITCH ENGAGE). The album has a length of more than 37 minutes, and it was released via German Metal specialists Nuclear Blast. The album starts dark with the powerful “Dead Star”. The riffing is thunderous at a measured tempo and at a head-banging rhythm. The melodies are grim, and they have an epic touch. The vocals are growls around the medium end of the guttural range with a few higher pitched screams. While the tempo of the track is constant during most of the time, the break contains a few faster episodes during the lead guitar solo. Altogether, “Dead Star” is a very strong opening track of the album. “Oblivion” initially continues with the sluggish rhythm, but it does not take long until the track explodes and transitions into a fast track during the verse parts and mid-tempo during the chorus parts. The guitar riffing has a lot of Swedish Death Metal inspirations, and this is accompanied by the typical Swedish chainsaw guitar sound. “The Black Curtain” is very different from the traditional Death Metal sound of the preceding tracks, as it is a melodic and dark track with a lot of Gothic vibes, in particular with the monotone basslines. The vocals are very versatile with many tonal shifts towards lower and higher notes. “The Black Curtain” is the official video release, and the YouTube link is provided below.

“Masterpiece Of Chaos” goes back to the familiar sound patterns of the opening tracks including the chainsaw guitars. The track has a sluggish start once again with an extended guitar part, but transitions into a verse part at insane speed. There are many twists and turns in tempo and rhythm throughout, but the track always goes back to its origin with the spine-chilling melodies at a measured tempo. “Masterpiece Of Chaos” is relatively short given the many ideas put into this track, but it is one of the album highlights. “Superstitious Visions” is a track at a measured tempo with simple riffing and catchy melodies. Similarly, as “The Black Curtain”, the track does not quite fit into the Death Metal sound, and it reminds me at times on early Gothic Metal of the 90s. “A Chilling Aura” has a frantic and hammering start, and after a short slowing down, it develops into a fast track with a lot of double-bass drumming and tight guitar riffing, enriched by a few blast-beat thunderstorms and highly pitched screams. The chorus parts are played at a measured tempo with epic and melancholic melodies. Ironically, “A Chilling Aura” is not chilling at all, it is one of the most pummeling album tracks and one of my favorites. “Caught In The Treads” is a mid-tempo track and another head-banger. The riffing is tight, and the melodies are catchy, while the vocals are again very versatile and cover most of the guttural range. “Caught In The Treads” is perfectly suited for live shows and I am sure it will become a regular on the setlists.

“Flesh Habit” starts with crunching basslines, leading into another track at a measured tempo with thunderous guitar riffing. It is a melodic track, and the melodies are chilling, but catchy. Most of the song follows the same tempo and rhythm with exception of the start of the break. When I listen to “Flesh Habit”, I hear once again a few Gothic vibes, and what sticks in my mind are the catchy melodies. “Mistaken For Dead” could not be more different. It is a fast track where the chainsaw guitars dominate the sound and drive the track forward. There are a few twists in tempo as the chorus parts are at mid-tempo. Highlight of the track is the very contributing lead guitar solo. “Mistaken For Dead” is a short track and it could be the most sound-defining album track if there were not the few sound outliers. In any case, it is another album favorite of mine. The album closes with “Tears Fall From The Sky” and the song has a doom-laden start with the extended instrumental part driven by the guitars. It develops into slow track with blood-freezing melodies, which are intensified by the chainsaw guitar sound. “Tears Fall From The Sky” is a mixture of Swedish Death Metal and Doom Metal elements. It is the darkest track on the album and with more than five minutes the longest song on the album. The album had a strong opening song, and it has definitely a strong finale.

GATECREEPER deliver a very good Death Metal album. “Dark Superstition” is the most melodic album of their catalogue so far. It is a mixture of traditional Swedish Death Metal, melodic Death Metal, and Gothic and Doom Metal elements. The album sound is alternating and often switches from more traditional Death Metal towards more modern and catchier tracks. All is kept together by a very versatile vocalist, who can adapt to the different styles. The album is well produced. “Dark Superstition” is an album for broader genre fans, and it might be a sound-defining album for the band in the future. Death Metal fans who love it dark and melodic, will like what they hear.