Epic-Metal, Canadian style, four-songs, twenty-minutes but GATEKEEPER well and truly get their sonic point across. Their latest, an Ep format in "Grey Maiden" is the perfect follow-up to 2018's "East Of Sun", here however GATEKEEPER are nailing their style at the same time leading a charge at your eardrums with a bartering ram of intense rage.

The Ep is the format which is the hardest to produce, four tracks which bring to the fore all the the best points of a band, though within a timeframe of twenty-minutes, GATEKEEPER succeed with style.  Opening with the title-track, "Grey Maiden" erupts with screaming and chunky guitar riffs, a foot anchored in the NWOBHM scene, the band opens up fully and drives the track forward with all the grace of nostalgia.  Indeed there is an air of SAXON, IRON MAIDEN cross-breeding with the US bands such as MOTLEY CRUE.  All this makes for a very interesting affair, combing styles that is reflected in both the sound and the lyrics.

"Tale Of Twins" -a remake of the 2013 "Prophecy and Judgement" demo, keeps the raw-energy pumping. Although updated the track does not lose any of its initial impact, keeping a punk-underground feel to it.  The biggest surprise here comes in the form of "Moss", an acoustic driven number with a high level of melody. Folky and reflective which gives a look at the other side to the band's talent, a move to place "Moss" in-between explosive numbers may seem a bad idea but it keeps the drama flowing along.

Closing with the TREDEGER cover "Richard III", an interesting but incendiary finish with a track which is almost hand-built for the band.  Here, we get wider scope of influence, a strange choice but a tip of the hat to the past nonetheless. Overall this is an excellent EP, an albums worth of quality material such as this is hopefully due shortly, GATEKEEPER are definitely a band to keep on the radar if "Grey Maiden" is anything to go by.