UMUR "Hymns of Blood and Thunder" is the 4th full-length studio album by US doom metal act The Gates of Slumber. The album was released through Metal Blade Records/Rise Above Records in September 2009.

The three-piece band play a traditional form of doom metal deeply rooted in the music of the likes of Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus, Candlemass. Add to that some more traditional heavy metal elements and you´re just about there. It´s all delivered with ballsy attitude and conviction, skillful playing (the vocals are suits the music well but they do leave a bit to desire) and packed in a suitingly raw sound production. There are only two longer tracks on the album, so the vast majority of the tracks are between 2 and 5 minutes long. That´s a bit unusual for a doom metal release but a nice move as the tracks never overstay their welcome. There´s also pretty good variation between the tracks. Songs like the instrumental "Age of Sorrow", the medieval folky "The Mist of the Mourning" and the driving heavy metal tunes "Chaos Calling" and "Death Dealer" create a good balance to the more slow- to mid paced and heavy material on the album. The 8:35 minutes long "The Doom of Aceldama" is an example of the latter.

"Hymns of Blood and Thunder" may not be the most original or innovative doom metal album out there and I´m pretty sure The Gates of Slumber weren´t exactly aiming at writing such an album either. What they have written is an effective, powerful and memorable traditional doom metal album well worth your time if you are a fan of the genre. A 3 - 3.5 star rating is warranted.