The Gates of Slumber, "The Wretch"

In a nutshell: Set to arrive in stores on May 10, "The Wretch" is a sludgy, menacing onslaught of traditional heavy metal.

Fan finder: The Gates of Slumber, who will tour coast to coast with U.K.-based doom metal act Orange Goblin in June, count Black Sabbath and Cream as influences.

That's a keeper: "The Wretch" delivers consistent grooves across its eight songs, with "The Scourge of Drunkenness" perhaps being the most accessible. Galloping riffs provide "Scourge's" framework, punctuated by two rounds of liquid-toned guitar solos from Karl Simon.

Didn't see it coming: Simon -- a triple threat of vocalist, lyricist and guitarist -- has shelved swords-and-sorcery tales that defined recent albums "Conqueror" and "Hymns of Blood and Thunder." "Bastards Born," the opening track of "The Wretch," tackles a real-world struggle: "Everything becomes quite clear," he sings. "There can be no hiding, from the monster in your mirror."

The verdict: This Indianapolis-based trio lives up to its international stature on the underground scene. Simon, bass player Jason McCash and drummer J. Clyde Paradis imply they're ready to pack it in on "Day of Farewell," but their commitment to metal is unyielding.

Visit the band's Myspace profile.