Gates Of Kiev is a progressive rock band founded inthe Netherlands by childhood friends, organist Tomas Mesmanand drummer Hessel Braat. The band's origins trace back totheir teenage years, when a shared passion for classic and vintagemusic brought them together. What began as informal late nighthard rock sessions in a small garage gradually evolved into themusical foundation that defines the band today. While performingon the Amsterdam live music circuit, the duo met Eszl de Vois, anestablished bass player in the underground psychedelic scene whosepassion for unconventional jazz fit the band like a glove.Heavily inspired by Emerson, Lake & Palmer, the band adoptedthe name ""Gates of Kiev,"" taken from the iconic piece featured onthe live album Pictures at an Exhibition. Taking further inspirationfrom the modern local garage and punk scene as well as the earlyyears of 70s prog bands, Gates of Kiev's live shows evolved into ahigh energy and intense performance. Loud, fast, and over the top.The band's songs are long and mostly instrumental. The lyricsthey do have cover both very personal struggles as societal topics,delivered in a whimsical and sometimes direct way. The dynamicsand atmosphere within the instrumental parts are closely tied to thethemes of the songs, trying to set a story without words.The album was mixed and mastered by White Willow's JacobHolm-Lupo in Norway. Cover art comes courtesy of Italian heavypsych illustrator Mont Doom.the Netherlands by childhood friends, organist Tomas Mesmanand drummer Hessel Braat. The band's origins trace back totheir teenage years, when a shared passion for classic and vintagemusic brought them together. What began as informal late nighthard rock sessions in a small garage gradually evolved into themusical foundation that defines the band today. While performingon the Amsterdam live music circuit, the duo met Eszl de Vois, anestablished bass player in the underground psychedelic scene whosepassion for unconventional jazz fit the band like a glove.Heavily inspired by Emerson, Lake & Palmer, the band adoptedthe name ""Gates of Kiev,"" taken from the iconic piece featured onthe live album Pictures at an Exhibition. Taking further inspirationfrom the modern local garage and punk scene as well as the earlyyears of 70s prog bands, Gates of Kiev's live shows evolved into ahigh energy and intense performance. Loud, fast, and over the top.The band's songs are long and mostly instrumental. The lyricsthey do have cover both very personal struggles as societal topics,delivered in a whimsical and sometimes direct way. The dynamicsand atmosphere within the instrumental parts are closely tied to thethemes of the songs, trying to set a story without words.The album was mixed and mastered by White Willow's JacobHolm-Lupo in Norway. Cover art comes courtesy of Italian heavypsych illustrator Mont Doom.