ALBUM REVIEW: Graceless – Where Vultures Know Your Name

Dutch Death-Doom Metallers GRACELESS are back with their second album of morbid atmospheric brutality. Out now via Raw Skull Rekordz.

Crushing riffs and marching drums draw in the macabre sounds of the record with a ferociously old school sound that is reminiscent of Autopsy, Bolt Thrower and Asphyx. Bellowing vocals soon join the spew of killer riffs and double kick assaults, delivering a truly hellish blend of masterfully dragging Death Metal. Melodic lead guitars add some technicality that really accentuates the atmospheric side of things with a soaring glory that is set in stone amongst the devastating blend of riffs, drums and growls.

The riveting pace of this album is ensnaring. So many barrages of delightfully atmospheric soundscapes and obliterating heaviness used in perfect harmony to usher in the sounds of some near-perfect Death-Doom. There is definitely a Melodeath touch to this album that draws on some early Kataklysm sounds, a storming use of such brutal yet approachable tonality. As far as more modern Death Metal goes, this has all of the really impactful brutality of a clearer production while there is that old school nastiness still intact at the heart of the music, a really interesting and fantastic blend indeed.

Although there is a clear contrast in modern and old school elements, these are tied together in a superbly unique fashion that does not feel disjointed or fragmented, rather giving us the best of both worlds with a naturally progression and blend to the sounds. I believe this is thanks to both the brilliant musicianship but also the excellency of the producers work on the album. This riff-fest is thankfully backed up by some insanely good drum work and raspy Karl Willets style vocals that truly allow the full band to realise their potential and deliver something memorable and fiercely enjoyable.

With plenty of grooves and gnarly assault, this is a really well paced record with plenty of finesse and utterly crushing storms of total fury. If you like Death Metal to be a bit more clean-cut and neat around the edges while retaining the savagery of the 90s bands, then this is the perfect middle ground. Masterful musicianship, magnificent songwriting and a totally marvellous end result that is definitely devastating in its stomping brand of Death Metal warfare. -8/10