Yes, GRAVEYARD are old school doom rockers who record on analog equipment and are from Sweden. No, I am not going to tell you about all the bands I like from Sweden (and there are plenty) and I’m not going to say that GRAVEYARD sound like the more recent WITCHCRAFT, nor am I going to name bands from the 70’s who I think they are ripping off. But I will tell you that I put this self-titled CD on with headphones, kicked back and enjoyed the hell out of it. So, the cover artwork reminds me of the work that was done for progressive rock records from 30 years ago, except it doesn’t have the name of the band on it. Also, when you open the gatefold sleeve, you will find that the CD actually looks like vinyl. This surprisingly, superb set of songs was originally recorded with the notable rhythm section of; the Geezer-like bass of Rikard Edlund and the swing style drumming of Axel Sjoberg. Along with guitarist/vocalist Joakim Nilsson , former member Truls Morck played guitar and lends his Jack Bruce styled lead vocals on two tracks. First, on the six-minute psychedelic, spaced out, blues rock jam called “Blue Soul.” Then the next one sounds like Jack Bruce singing with early Pink Floyd called “As The Years Pass By, The Hours Bend.” Singer/guitarist Jonathan Ramon brought his Chris Cornell styled vocals to the rest of the songs at the end of the recording of the CD.
GRAVEYARD fill this new CD with impressive, laid back, hard rock that is never rushed. It has more time changes than traveling across the United States. Of course, there are doom elements but there is also a folk vibe that make it a very relaxing listen. From the soft opening of “Evil Ways” to the jazzy-progressive meets seventies-underground metal of “Thin Line”, you can literally feel the wide open production from analog master producer Don Ahlsterberg (Soundtrack of Our Lives) filling the room with darkness and gloom… and I mean that in a good way. I think Danzig should take notes.
Thanks to Tee Pee Records for releasing this gem stateside.
