Band of the week 25/2025
Origin: Zwickau, Germany
Genre: Depressive Black Metal
Hier geht’s zur deutschen Version.
The band about itself:
„Gateway to Selfdestruction are one of the most promising Atmospheric/Depressive Black Metal newcomers from Germany. The band was formed in 2013 and played numerous successful live gigs (one of them the unforgettable goosebumps-in-50°C-heat on the tent stage at In Flammen Open Air 2015) before signing record deal with Northern Silence in early 2016.„ -Bandcamp
Editorial commentary:
Some bands you discover by chance – and the next moment you wonder how they could have remained under your radar for so long. Gateway to Selfdestruction is just such a case. An insider tip that I would like to share with you for two reasons: their captivating sound – and their intense stage presence.
Musically, the band operates in the field of depressive black metal, an already very special subgenre, even within the black metal scene. Most representatives often sound monotonous or exaggerated to me – but Gateway to Selfdestruction manage something extraordinary: in the midst of a dense thunderstorm of blast beats and distorted guitars, melodic, fragile pauses break out again and again. These short islands of calm give the music structure, depth – and above all emotions that I can relate to.
Ever since I discovered the band at the Walpurgisnacht Festival on 2 May 2025, their music has been playing regularly on my stereo. And every time I discover new details in their compositions.
But what really captivated me was their stage performance. At a time when many bands rely on grand gestures and stage decorations, Gateway to Selfdestruction thrives on a minimalist expression that makes maximum impact. The very start of the set sent a shiver down my spine: the scratchy music box theme at the beginning, quiet and unsettling, crept through the audience like a cold breath. The stage was bathed in thick fog, interspersed with red LEDs flickering on the instruments – a dark aura that blended perfectly with the musical concept.
At the centre of the action: the frontwoman, who embodied every note with almost ritualistic seriousness. Her performance was wild, impetuous, but also full of control – a physical echo of the torn music she brought to the stage with the band.
And then there was the ending, which not only surprised me, but left me downright speechless. Instead of a simple exit, the singer stepped down from the stage to hand out photographs to the audience. On the back were handwritten sentences. Personal, cryptic, meaningful.
I’ve taken a lot of souvenirs from concerts – picks, setlists, drumsticks – but something like this? That was new. These little works of art are not fan service, but an artistic gesture that elevates the stage experience to a deeper, more personal level. For me: a crown jewel in my collection.
Once you’ve seen Gateway to Selfdestruction live, you won’t forget them in a hurry – but catching them live is not that easy. The band only announces their appearances at short notice, which makes them even more fascinating. Perhaps this is also part of the overall aesthetic: elusive, unapproachable, mysterious.
Anyone who can get involved with profound, atmospheric black metal should definitely keep an eye on this band – and if the opportunity presents itself: Don’t hesitate. Go there. Experience it.
The band at Dark-Art:
Music recommendation:
Live impressions:
Links:
Bandcamp
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Spotify
YouTube
Band of the week is our weekly posting about a band we recommend and is posted every Tuesday at 8pm (CEST). These are bands that are just at the beginning of their career and that we think should receive more attention.
You can also find all the bands we’ve featured this year in our playlist on Spotify!
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