Dutch psychedelic progressive rock trio GATES OF KIEV today releases their eponymous debut LP worldwide through prog juggernaut The Laser’s Edge.
GATES OF KIEV is a progressive rock band founded in the Netherlands by childhood friends, organist Tomas Mesman and drummer Hessel Braat. The band’s origins trace back to their teenage years, when a shared passion for classic and vintage music brought them together. What began as informal late night hard rock sessions in a small garage gradually evolved into the musical foundation that defines the band today. While performing on the Amsterdam live music circuit, the duo met Eszl De Vois, an established bass player in the underground psychedelic scene whose passion for unconventional jazz fit the band like a glove.
Heavily inspired by Emerson, Lake & Palmer, the band adopted the name GATES OF KIEV, taken from the iconic piece featured on the EL&P live album Pictures At An Exhibition. Taking further inspiration from the modern local garage and punk scene as well as the early years of ‘70s prog bands, GATES OF KIEV’s live shows have evolved into loud, high energy, over-the-top, intense performances. The band’s songs are long and mostly instrumental, and the sparse lyrics they infuse into the music reflect both very personal struggles and societal topics, delivered in a whimsical and sometimes direct way. The dynamics and atmosphere within the instrumental parts are closely tied to the themes of the songs, trying to set a story without words.
Gates Of Kiev presents forty minutes of incredibly dynamic and immediately engaging music delivered through four sprawling songs. Recorded by Ahmad Mansour at Ijland Studio in Amsterdam, the album was mixed and mastered by White Willow’s Jacob Holm-Lupo in Norway and completed with cover art courtesy of Italian heavy psych illustrator Mont Doom.
The band states, “We are very happy our debut album is coming out. The reactions from the fans so far have been heartwarming and it means a lot to us. Thanks to everyone who worked on it.”
Gates Of Kiev is out today on CD and digitally via The Laser’s Edge webshop HERE streaming everywhere including Bandcamp – the standard audio HERE and the 24 bit hi-rez HERE – and YouTube HERE.
Also watch the band’s “Silhouette” video HERE.
The vinyl pressing has been slightly delayed and will be available in the weeks ahead.
The band has booked a hometown release show for the album on November 11th. Expect more on GATES OF KIEV including live updates and more to post in the new year.
GATES OF KIEV Live:
11/11/2026 Maloe Melo – Amsterdam, NL *album release show [tickets]
“…it is bursting with ‘70s prog excess, along with a garage rock enthusiasm that splurges out at times… A fantastically inventive debut from a band that promise more to come.” – Prog Magazine
” A really great album… I think this will be on a lot of people’s best-of lists for prog rock towards the end of the year…” – Sea Of Tranquility
“With Hammond organ explosions, Mellotron atmospheres, psychedelic textures, jazz influences, and cinematic storytelling, the trio has delivered an album that feels like stepping into another universe. If you’ve been waiting for a band capable of carrying the torch forward, GATES OF KIEV may be exactly what you’ve been looking for. The journey has only just begun.” – Echoes And Dust
“Dutch progressive rock trio GATES OF KIEV has released a fantastic self-titled debut album. This superb recording brings together 1970s symphonic progressive rock influences, organ-fueled Deep Purple-style hard rock, psychedelic music, jazz, and beyond.” – Progressive Rock Central
“Among Gates Of Kiev’s beneficent characteristics, the rounding of psychedelia and folk music, placed in sweaty basement room… GATES OF KIEV makes a debut album well above average. [translated]” – Norway Rock
“…I feel like they were transplanted from today into the ‘70s. It’s honest, genuine progressive music that I grew up on, and it’s not pretentious. It’s energized, reserved, melodic, and indeed a bit over the top…in a good way of course.” – Metal Temple
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The post GATES OF KIEV: Eponymous Debut Album By Dutch Psychedelic Progressive Rock Trio Out Today And Streaming Everywhere On The Laser’s Edge first appeared on Earsplit Compound.