Gatekeeper – Optimus Maximus EP (2009) [Fright] // Grade: B+

Since the year is young and new releases haven’t exactly been flowing out I thought now would be a good time to jump back a bit into 2009 and spotlight a fantastic EP that we collectively missed when it originally released at the end of October. And seriously what better time to do it then on the morning that Gatekeeper plays New York with fellow soldiers in darkness, SALEM.

So lets get this out of the way first… Optimus Maximus has a very John Carpenter soundtrack vibe to it, Yes I know it says as much in the band’s own press releases but it’s one thing to say and another for it to actually be there right in your face! And believe you me, from a guy who has spent countless hours scrutinizing the genius of Carpenter’s work, the Chicago duo from Gatekeeper have done their homework with those classic film scores. Driving and sinister, Optimus Maximus is an invitation from death to ride shotgun in his Porsche across the cities landscape at night. But it’s more than just Carpenter, the duo is more than open about showing their love for the rhythmic patterns and keyboard swells of 80′s industrial and EBM ala groups like A Split-Second and Click Click. And who can ignore the obvious nods to fellow Chicago legends My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult all-over a track like “Visions” with it’s sinister use of audio samples in lieu of vocals and the general sense sense of whimsy that Gatekeeper cut their brand of foreboding ambiance.

For a Goth/Industrial nerd like myself I’m putty in the hands of a group like Gatekeeper who while may not be breaking any new ground, know how to retrace back the steps about as perfectly as they were originally made. And seriously? I’ll take that any day.

- My Pal the Crook