Gatekeeper - Giza EP (2010) [Merok] // Grade: B+

The anticipation started with “Chains.” When Chicago EBM masters Gatekeeper dropped the first Giza single early this fall, you could almost hear the collective crunch of jaws hitting the floor; not only did it make good on the promise set forth by last year’s Optimus Maximus EP, it bested every track. And now that we’ve cozied up with the full release, this thing bubbling in the shadow of its opening track and single, the question gets more complicated: Could any album stand a comparative chance against a first peek so good, so sexy and sinister, so mind-bogglingly instant?

This one does. Mostly.

But understand that Giza, as a whole, isn’t “Chains.” The Gatekeeper duo may carry whispers of their Italo-cum-John Carpenter vibe from start to finish, but it undulates in a subtle, almost circular way. This is an album as much about pacing as composition; strip it of its context and you’ve stripped it of itself.

Take it as one piece, however, and Giza is a sight to see. “Serpent” and its murky confusion, the menacing fire of “Giza” slamming all uncontrollable into the “Mirage” fray, ominous chants punctuating the fog of it. It’s a terrifying beauty, death and light at once. And if it lags a little near the end, momentarily out-paces itself—well, even that isn’t without effect. The slow burn, the noise and haze and throb, only emphasizes the opening single more: a hellbound monster slowly tearing itself to shreds. Come for “Chains.” Come back for the rest.

- Rue Sauvage