Sleeping beauty

Okay, "beauty" may be the wrong word to apply to hair doom rock trio Gates of Slumber. Peruse writings on the band and the words "Wino," "Iommi" and "biker" are likely to make a prominent appearance. These guys like their metal old school - old enough for mainman Karl Simon to admit to a major fondness for the old blues guys who lent a pentatonic past to Black Sabbath's sludgy remaking. If Conan the Barbarian listened to music, these guys would definitely be on the playlist.

Karl and his mighty moustache.



And the rest.



Drummer Bob Fouts.



Bassist Jason McCash.



Headbanging action!



Sometimes low light works best.



The view from up above.



More Bob!



More headbanging!



And a somewhat snappier shot.



That would have been your daily recommended dose of metal right there. Their new album Hymns of Blood and Thunder has been getting major props as well.

• Show reminder: Meadowlark 5, Ornaments and The Red Giants perform at Zaphod's; Elliott Brood, Old Crowns and Deep Dark Woods play Mavericks. Junior Boys, Woodhands and Noah are at Ritual; Capital Grass and The No Men, Devin Johnstone and Theresa Pasaluko rock the Elmdale House.