Stoners Bongzilla have steadily been pumping out albums, EPs and splits for quite some time now. Over that period of time, their style hasn’t changed a bit, although the quality of their recordings has. Ever since the mid-90s these Wisconsin weed lovers have created a mix between sludge and stoner rock. With its brooding atmosphere, vile vocals and whirring guitars, it is the perfect album for a dark room filled with smoke and cheap alcohol, the TV set on mute, a cheap bimbo knockout in the corner and the walls covered with black marker.

So in what way is Gateway different from its predecessors? Basically, it isn’t. But when you’ve listened to the album a couple of times, the songs feel more coherent and natural. The production is even more fitted to the music; there are less samples and frills. Even though it’s hard to notice, it seems that Bongzilla have truly matured. And even though Gateway won’t win many new souls in their ever-lasting conquest for better marihuana laws, it is an obligatory purchase for the stoner fan that likes to have it heavy.