Inspired by the dystopian sounds of cult sci-fi soundtracks, vintage VHS '80s horror, brooding techno, and darkwave Italo, Chicago duo David Ross and Matthew Arkell formed Gatekeeper and released their first EP, Optimus Maximus, in 2009. Heavily influenced by cult '80s documentaries The Jupiter Menace and Chronos, they released the six-track EP Giza in 2010. The EP was well received and was accompanied by a limited-edition VHS/Laserdisc video that referenced '90s CD-R graphics and hallucinatory metaphysical imagery. They released their debut full-length studio album, Exo, in 2012. ~ Aneet Nijjar