Gates of Kiev - Gates of Kiev (2026)

Gates of Kiev (2026) is the self-titled debut full-length studio album by the Dutch progressive rock trio Gates of Kiev, released on November 6, 2026, via the esteemed American label The Laser's Edge.
Founded in Amsterdam by childhood friends Thomas Mesman and Hessel Braat, the band draws deep inspiration from the classic, organ-heavy progressive rock and symphonic rock of the early 1970s. The group’s name itself alludes to the famous live interpretation of Modest Mussorgsky’s "The Great Gate of Kiev"—from the iconic album *Pictures at an Exhibition* by Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
The album’s sound is defined by long, predominantly instrumental epic compositions, driven by a powerful, overdriven Hammond organ, intricate jazz-inflected bass lines, and dynamic drumming—placing the band in the lineage of acts such as ELP, Atomic Rooster, Le Orme, and Quatermass. The album was mixed and mastered by the renowned Norwegian musician Jacob Holm-Lupo (of White Willow).