Last summer Adorned Graves transported us back in time to 1985 for their Dream I ep to celebrate 10 years as a band and gave us a great collection of metal tracks that will resonate with new and existing fans and now in 2026, the band has followed up that effort releasing Dream II which is a perfect complement to the original release.
Since I’ve reviewed so many of the band’s releases over the years, I feel like I’ve introduced the band so many times, it’s difficult to make this part seem fresh or new. Let’s just say that they’re a German band from Kaiserlauten who started as a thrash band in 1993 but then incorporated doom, death, and progressive elements into their sound, often bringing in well-known metal vocalists. In 2011 Andreas Wormser joined the Graever brothers Cailen and Deafon and the band released their debut ep The Hand of Death in 2015. 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, and the vinyl only album Wouta was one of the best of the year and the band remixed the tracks for an old school sound and brought in vocalists to reimagine the tracks. The Dream I ep was a celebration of the band’s 10 years and for that the band crafted songs that could have been released 40 years ago, and now we have Dream II to complete the concept.
When Dream I came out I had no idea what to expect but the opening track immediately brought me back to 1985. This time I knew exactly what to expect, and of course, I was surprised again with the thrashy sounds of Disaster. The wall of feedback leading into a punchy riff is the perfect opening for the track and I get a bit of a feeling of old Leeway from a musical standpoint in the opening. Craig Cairns vocals that range from Bruce Dickinson to Rob Halford, work perfectly in the track with the shouted verses and bridge and the parts that give him room to showcase his power and range. The band is raging throughout the track. Pounding drums and thumping bass lines provide a solid foundation for the song and the solo work from Andreas Wormser is excellent.
“On the Edge” starts out in a much more subdued manner with some acoustic guitar and clean vocals before a riff straight out of the 80’s is accompanied by a characteristic Dale Thompson scream and the rest of the band comes in. Lots of Judas Priest and Accept influence in this track and even the line “with our backs against the wall”, perhaps a nod to Accept?. Musically the song is slow march that builds tension during the verse sections and the multi-layered vocals add a lot of depth to the overall sound. The overall arrangement of the track speaks to the maturity of the band and their confidence as there is nothing wasted, no excess, no attempt to impress as they already know how well the track will be received.
“Dream II” has Herbie Langhans taking over vocal duties and the song again has that old-school metal vibe throughout as it marches along. At this point in the ep, I was fully transported back to my younger days where the music felt familiar and yet still new at the same time. Fede Vogliolio takes on the vocals in “Light Side of the Graves” which features some spoken word and atmospheric elements in the opening before settling into a mid-tempo metal groove with guitars that in tone remind me a bit of Dokken which I love so much. Fede’s vocals are smooth, dark, and deep and would work in a goth setting. Musically the sound is a a bit too bright and fast for goth, but here Fede’s vocals manage to inject that darkness inherent in the genre. I really appreciate the bite in the guitars in the song and the harmony solo bits are a great touch. The shift in the song when Fede’s vocals raise in tone and forcefulness and how that transitions into the chorus is especially worth a listen.
Craig Cairns returns to vocals in the closing track “Starry Night” which also begins with some acoustic guitar as an opening with some layered choral backing to some spoken word that comes to an end and the rest of the song kicks in after a brief pause.Cairns vocals remain smooth and soaring through the song in contrast to those in “Disaster”. Andreas Wormser has the space for an extended guitar solo in the song and fills it with an emotional and fitting performance.
Adorned Graves have successfully returned us back to late 80’s metal but in a way where the songs do not feel dated. Influences from all the classic bands you can think of from the era are there but incorporated in such a way that sounds new. Performances as always from the band are strong, production and mixing are great and match the sound they were aiming for, allowing all the instruments to be heard and showcasing the amazing vocalists. Much like Dream I, this was one of the best things I have heard all year so far and the band releasing it with Dream I makes for an great full length. This will be one of those albums 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 and like them, get better with each listen.
Rating: 10/10
Written by John Jackson
Tracklist
- Disaster
- On the Edge
- Dream II
- Light Side of the Grave
- Starry Night
Band Members
Cailen Leif Graever: rhythm guitars, vocals, lyrics, design
Deafon Graever: drums, vocals, lyrics
Lupus Veruta: bass
Andreas Wormser: lead guitars, guitars, production
Guest vocalists
Craig Cairns (Tailgunner) – Disaster and Starry Night
Dale Thompson (Bride) – On the Edge
Herbie Langhans (Avantasia, Sinbreed, Firewind ) – Dream II
Fede Vogliolio – Light Side of the Graves
Release Date: 25 September 2026
Record Label: Soundmass
Video for ‘Disaster’
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdornedGraves
Band site: http://www.adorned-graves.de/