Graveyard - 6 Review
Actively listening to music is such a transportable kind of magic - and 6 is a masterclass on how to do this.
Review by Max Steel.
I won't deny... I'm a massive fanboy of Graveyard. This band was truly a re-awakening for me sonically a decade ago – and I’m ALMOST convinced they can do no wrong.
When I first heard Hisingen Blues I was hooked. Anything and everything the Gothenburg natives produced, before and since that album, I’ve consumed with vigour. They’re almost a daily spin on the record player, and their merchandise dotted my wardrobe until they were worn threadbare.
So with that out of the way - what of Graveyard’s latest Album? Number, and titled 6.
First and foremost, there’s a very notable ‘human’ aspect to this record. Production holds such a strong power in music – so much so that it needs to hide in plain sight. I don’t want to hear that an album was “produced”. I need it to sound like the artist has been provided with a palette of all the colours necessary to let the piece speak for itself. 6 is a testament to that. It’s an organic journey of human emotions and abilities wrapped up in a tidy 37:56 minutes.
Godnatt is the kind of album opener I yearn for. Swirling and emotive. Spacious without being empty. The track breathes life into the listener through the ears and into the soul. Joakim Nilsson (vocal and guitar) has always had a way with delivery – and Graveyard’s more sombre songs allow him to lean into an emotive side of things with a low drawl that scratches just right.
What follows is the energetic kick regular listeners of Graveyard are all used to. Their first single released from the album, Twice is the shortest offering of the album with a runtime of 2:41 and is the kind of banger that has plenty sealed in its smaller packaging. Memorable vocal hooks teamed with quick-witted chord changes. This is Graveyard with their foot to the floor and makes the absolute most of having two six-stringers in their fold.
In heavier genres, it is always refreshing when everyone plays a role or when the parts aren’t just doubled for the sake of girth. It allows two guitarists to truly shine. The constant back and forth between Jaokim and Jonotan Larocca-Ramm (vocals /guitar) throughout the whole album allows each to dance around each other’s roles effortlessly without a single toe to be stepped on.
I Follow You lowers the mood for what becomes a sweat-stained, blues-tinged treat and lends itself to the following track, the gospel swamp standout Breathe in Breath Out.
Spacious keyboards lay under wandering guitars and offer flawless support without distracting – all the while Drummer Oskar Bergenheim lays a solid foundation full of texture. Featuring Gospel-style backing vocals a full emotional display is granted. Creamy lead guitars take the reigns and lead you on a journey to the resolve with just a familiar nod to another Swedish export, Opeth (This is not a bad thing).
Truls Morck (vocals/bass) has taken lead vocal duties in the past - and Sad Song is his offering this time round. His voice offers a tone and timbre that gives a sense of grace upon delivery and is mournful at first glance. That being said, Sad Song is deceptively optimistic and is a gorgeous way to reach the centre of the album.
Actively listening to music is such a transportable kind of magic - and 6 by Graveyard is a masterclass on how to do this. While not as heavy as previous offerings, it's essential listening for those who seek human-made art.
Just a Drop is a piece that long-term fans will sink their teeth into. The dominant riff carries, while lead breaks and clever support chords offer equilibrium that Graveyard does so well. It’s not only noticeable but appreciated when thought for track listing and order is incorporated for an album - 6 flows effortlessly from track to track, ensuring repeat listens will feel fresh and allow the more subtle elements to shine through.
Bright Lights shines with delicate chords that dance under tremolo, subtle harmonies and restrained but fitting drums, whilst No Way Out has a familiar feel yet something is going on here. Graveyard has always been good at the “throwback” thing. But this has an almost cinematic feel. The dynamics grow so steadily, so naturally, so very wholly, that it's almost unnoticeable until you realise you’ve been holding your breath. Heartfelt and heavy in all the right ways - beauty hides amongst the angst and the release that is offered.
We're left with Rampant Fields, and it gives me the rampant FEELS... This is blues, baby. Smoke swirls throughout the rooms here, and low-hanging lights ensure all that needs to be shown is on display. Tender guitars and harmonised lead breaks blossom into a heartfelt apex only to gingerly lower you back down to the best album resolution that closes this chapter so completely.
I adored my first listen to 6 and subsequentially its repeatability. I need this on wax. I need to see this live. I’m still a fanboy, no doubt, with 6 definitely making its way into my top 5 albums of the year.
4.5/5
Graveyard’s 6 is out September 29 via Nuclear Blast, preorder HERE.
