EP REVIEW: Grabunhold – Unter Dem Banner Der Toten

Here is my review for the upcoming mini album of German Black Metal cult GRABUNHOLD which follows their debut demo back in 2017. Out on September 20th via Iron Bonehead Productions.

Opening with melodic guitar lines that are tinged with folky melodies, there is a gloriously epic feel to this music from the get-go. Ripping into mournfully powerful riffs and beautifully spacious blastbeats before a fierce vocal performance joins the mix, we are presented some chillingly eerie Black Metal, not unlike Satanic Warmaster with plentiful grooves but an overall piercing quality that really is haunting. As mentioned before there is a somewhat folky feel to the melodies that makes the music even more emotive, especially when utilised in juxtaposition with a viciously old school Black Metal cascade, permeating melody among grisly onslaughts. Soaring through melancholic and aggressive pathways, Grabunhold make some uniquely sorrowful yet powerful Black Metal that draws you in with its cathartically gorgeous soundscapes alongside devastating assaults. Although sometimes more upbeat and folky Black Metal can be annoying, these guys have found a beautiful balance that keeps things harsh and to the point while including some battle-ready atmospherics, enhanced by a tight and impressive drum performance amidst the glisteningly profound riffs. The vocalist also knows how to not ruin the ambience using sparsely drawn out screams that do not just drown out everything else, making for smooth sonic transcendency throughout the EP. The third track makes for a tranquil interval among the furious prowess of the EP, giving the atmosphere room to grow and the strength of titanic blasts and tremolo riffs a break to reform. The finale is a grandiose as one should expect following what we have heard and definitely makes the EP feel like a complete release rather than just a taster. I certainly hope to hear more from this band after such a wonderfully powerful performance. A truly marvellous release that in just over 20 minutes creates a huge monolith of medieval atmospherics with fantastic musicianship and excellently utilised production. A searing cacophony of all that embodies the Black Metal spirit. -8.5/10