Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 07:55 PM by Giorgos Tsekas
Grave is one of the greatest Swedish death metal bands ever existed part of the so called Big 4 (Entombed, Unleashed and Dismember obviously their other 3…) and their story comes from way back in mid-80’s as they were formed in 1986 (they started in 1986 under the moniker Corpse and changed it to Grave in 1988) by vocalist and guitarist Ola Lindgren who is their only constant member until nowadays. Their first albums are jewels in Swedish Death Metal’s crown, when their reputation was cemented and things couldn’t get any better than the incredible 4 full length album streak; just when Grave were writing History with ‘Into the Grave’, ‘You’ll Never See…’, ‘Soulless’ and ‘Hating Life’, yet the band went on hiatus in 1997. Fortunately they got back together two years later and since 2002 (1999 was the first year its members rejoined and started rehearsing slowly…before a warm-up European tour and a new album only in 2002) they enriched their discography with more excellent records. Their 2002-2007 era was definitely a period of resurrection that gave a trilogy of almost perfect yet brutal and furious records which gave the proper boost to the band that carries them in the top of the game until now. While 2002’s ‘Back from the Grave’ was a return to the style featured on their classic and most recognizable (sophomore) album, ‘You’ll Never See…’, with some minimal influence from ‘Soulless’, it was 2004’s ‘Fiendish Regression’ and 2006’s ‘As Rapture Comes’ in which Grave reached songwriting excellence standards as in their early days. In ‘Fiendish Regression’ despite the departure of drummer Paulsson, who was replaced by Coercion drummer Pelle Ekegren, album showcased more aggressive and generally somewhat faster songs. And that led eventually two years later in the blistering monster entitled ‘As Rapture Comes’. In ‘As Rapture Comes’ is where aggression, ferocity and intensity outburst relentlessly via your headphones in a violent crescendo with mid tempo punching meeting speedy pounding creating a multi flavored Death Metal Armageddon. ‘As Rapture Comes’ is the seventh studio album by Grave and it was originally released on July 25, 2006 through Century Media Records. Grave in 9 assaulting hymns prove that it’s important not only have big guns but also pointing them on the right direction. With excellent production from Peter Tägtgren that gives a different than Tomas Skogsberg’s mid-range tone approaching with a more primal and grimy sound with several modern twists though giving an old school feeling were all instruments shine in their roughness and their thick sound, this dynamite album features some of the greatest tunes of Swedish Death Metal of the 00’s; ‘By Demons Bred’ with its classic riff which is probably the favorite song for most of their fans from the album, ‘Through Eternity’ with its galloping rhythm, ‘Unholy Terror’ which I think is the fastest song in Grave’s discography and some substantial anthems like ‘Living the Dead Behind’ (great epic doom fragment in the middle of the song!), ‘Battle Of Eden’ with its slow tempo and fucking groove, ‘Burn’, ‘Autopsied’… and one of the sickest and most surprising covers on Alice In Chains‘ ‘Them Bones’ that fit like a glove with the other songs as if it is their own composition.
You can grab a new vinyl edition via The Circle Music, as the label has the exclusive worldwide distribution of a limited Triple Gatefold Silver vinyl cut in only 500 copies here.
