Adorned Graves transport us back in time to 1985 for their Dream I ep to celebrate 10 years as a band and give us a great collection of metal tracks that will resonate with new and existing fans.
For those new to the band, Adorned Graves hail from Kaiserslauten, Germany and got their start in 1993 as a traditional thrash band before incorporating doom and death metal into their sound. The early days saw the band called Ascension and a couple of demos being recorded after the name change to Adorned Graves in 1998. The story really picks up in 2011 when music teacher, guitarist and producer Andreas Wormser joined brothers Cailen and Deafon Graever. Adorned Graves debut ep in 2015, The Hand of Death, is one of my favorite releases and the track “Adorned Graves” is still one of my favorite tracks with its blend of Black Sabbath and Slayer. Following the ep, the band released Out from the Depth of the Grave (2017), Being Towards a River (2020), and The Earth Hath Opened Her Mouth (2023) all of which saw the band’s sound incorporate more elements into their sound as well as featuring a number of high profile guest vocalists. In 2025, the band signed a one record and one ep deal with Soundmass to release remixed and remastered versions of the best songs from their “waterworld” albums Out From the Depth of the Grave and Being Towards a River. The Dream I ep is a celebration of the band’s 10 years and for that the band crafted songs that could have been released 40 years ago.
To be honest, I had no idea what to really expect before firing up the ep. The opening track instantly brought me back to 1985, with its marching riff and layered lead guitar over the top during the intro. The intro screams of power with the rhythm section of Lupus Veruta on bass and Deafon Graver on drums ensuring the low end is felt. When the verses start Craig Cairns (Master Spy, Metal Assault, Tailgunner) vocals instantly bring to mind Dio and Bruce Dickinson, perfect for the song. The double bass drums roll through the chorus as Cairns vocals soar, giving the listener a hint of his power and range that will be showcased in later songs. The tempo changes are great and bring in a hint of Metallica to the track, which is something Adorned Graves has demonstrated throughout their career.
“Dream I” is where Craig Cairns vocal really from the opening scream to the fast, higher register verse sections where he channels Bruce Dickinson and Rob Halford even as they get grittier on the second verse. Musically the song gallops along at a fast pace driven again by the rhythm section, bringing a friend to note that this conjures up memories of driving fast cars through the mountains back in younger days…such as 1985. Production on the album is perfect, everything at the right level, just like we remember from the old days.
From the driving riff and vocals “Mourning Town” envisions Dio-era Rainbow for me as that was a big part of my younger years. To borrow from a story Henry Rollins told about when he listened to Dio, I can totally see a younger me standing on a table wearing a cape pointing to the crowd and singing alone with this song and it’s medieval imagery. Andreas Wormser again demonstrates some restraint in the guitar solos which is appreciated as they fit so well within the structure of the song.
Like other tracks on the album, “Legacy of Worms” has a bit of an extended intro section with some guitar leads that set up the verse sections. The bridge and chorus for the song are simply amazing both in Cairns’ vocals and in how they work within the track and set up the lead guitar parts that remain an integral part of the song. I often hear guitar leads that seem to be added later almost as an afterthought for songs, but that is not the case here where every element to the track is designed in from the beginning.
“The Abyss” closes out the album with a guitar and keyboard intro that leads immediately into a heavy chunky riff that speeds up as the Cairns’ vocals come in. The higher vocals play well off the darker tone in the main riff for the song and the supporting vocals on the chorus are a great touch.
Adorned Graves have successfully taken us back to 1985 but in a way where the songs do not feel dated. One can hear influences including the NWOBHM like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden to Metallica, Rainbow, and Helloween. In all honesty, this was one of the best things I have heard all year so far, I just wish it were longer. This is one of those albums (ep’s) that you can put on at any time and it will fit the mood or situation or it will change the mood or situation to fit. Sure there is some nostalgia here from me as it takes me back in time, but these songs will stand up over time just as the classics from that era.
Rating: 10/10
Tracklist
- Argument from Reason
- Dream I
- Mourning Town
- Legacy of Worms
- The Abyss
Band Members
Craig Cairns – guest vocalist
Cailen Leif Graever: rhythm guitars, vocals, lyrics, design
Deafon Graever: drums, vocals, lyrics
Lupus Veruta: bass
Andreas Wormser: lead guitars, guitars, production
Release Date: 27 June 2025
Record Label: Soundmass
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdornedGraves
Band site: http://www.adorned-graves.de/
Video for “Dream I”:
Video for “Mourning Town”: