Grave, Dominion VIII
You know what’s nice to see? Grave finally hitting their stride after a few lack luster releases. Dominion VII not only indicates the band’s eighth release, but also a more aggressive, quicker paced sound. It’s taken the Swedish group a few releases to finally get it all right with Ola Lindgren at the mic and I’d venture to say it’s been worth the wait.
Domion VII hits like a ton of bricks. High velocity blasts are tempered with crushing, doomy riffs in a well balanced death metal attack. Through the album’s nine tracks, Grave sound as though they have a renewed energy — a revived thirst for destruction. Combining Lindgren’s mid-range growls with guitars echoing an old school, gravelly presence and thundering rhythms from bassist Fredrik Isaksson and drummer Ronnie BergerstŒhl, the album leaves a raw, violent path of devastation in it’s wide wake.
A World of Darkness
A big hit from the guitars opens up with some reverb and noise. At the 25 second mark, the group unleashes and unrelenting wave of apocalyptic thunder. Lindgren’s vocals come in quickly after and the band tears through some old school death riffing and blasts. Around the 1:40 mark the pace slows considerably with ominous, doomy riffs and methodical drums — until the three minute point when the group explodes with driving blasts and beastly riffs.
Fallen (Angel son)
A series of big riffs and creative drums opens up “Fallen.” A sick bit of maniacal drumming bludgeons profusely at the one minute mark. It sounds like Jim Henson’s Animal is on the kit. There are some gnarly lead moments around the three minute mark as the band shift into doomy riffs and heavy drums. Another quick pace change as the band shifts into annihilation mode ends out the track with unrelenting beats and evil guitar work.
Deathstorm
The opening to “Deathstorm” feels just like that — a storm raining uncompromising death metal upon the soft skulls of the unaware. This track is a monster of a song. Thick rhythms and crushing riffs combine in a devastating mix of old school death. Dark tones and rage are the fuel for this one and it’s definitely not a song to miss.
Strained by Hate
This next one starts out a good deal slower with sludgy, doomy riff work before the rest of the gus come in and the pace picks up. I love the thick riffs throughout this one. They’re pretty damned heavy.
Bloodpath
“Bloodpath” explodes out of the speakers with driving guitars and drums filled with murderous rage. Lindgren’s vocals seem to be in the background a bit more as this one progresses. Then again, it could just be the power behind the crushing riffs and cranial blasts.
Annihilated God
A sick riff gets this one moving as quick hitting drums jump into the fray. This one is head banging madness at its best, complete with huge, doomy riffs and thunderous rhythms. There’s a great tempo change at the 3:30 mark that’ll leave your neck sprained with a quickness. A sick lead quickly swallows the the slower riffs with diabolical shredding.
Sinners Lust
“Sinners Lust” starts off with crushing drums and a sick lead that accompany Lindgren’s demonic growl. This one is pretty high velocity with sludgy riffs and a pummeling rhythm attack.
Dark Signs
Thick, evil riffing and methodical drum work open fresh wounds as “Dark Signs” pile drives its way slowly through the first 40 seconds before Grave settle into a beefy bit of groove filled death metal. Man, that was a long sentence. Don’t miss the bad ass solo at the 2:40 mark.
8th Dominion
The final song on the album starts off lightly with soft guitar for nearly the first full minute before the band shifts to moshing rhythms. The groove the band settles into is pretty sweet as crushing riffs and bone shattering drum blasts dominate the rest of the track.
~ ~ ~
I’m not sure that Grave will ever capture the fervor that their first few releases had on the metal world, but Dominion VIII is pretty damned close to getting there. With a fresh sense of urgency and renewed energies the band plows through hordes of the damned with crushing, doomy guitars and high powered, apocalyptic rhythms. It’s good to see this Swedish trio making their way back to the top.
Favorite Tracks:
All of them
Additional Notes:
N/A