Minnesord is the debut album by Gravvård, a haunting, abrasive atmospheric black metal album.
Gravvård is a self-described atmospheric black metal band from Italy and Sweden,created by Vindur (Mörkvind and other bands) and Grishna (Kärv). Since Gravvård is a new band on a smaller label without much background information available and since the album appears to be in Swedish, a good bit of google translate has come into play for this review. For the non-Swedish audience, Gravvård means gravestone and the Minnesord means words of remembrance, both of which are perfectly fitting for an atmospheric black metal project.
For me, this is a difficult album to listen to, let alone review. I do love atmospheric black metal, but to my ears this one is very abrasive and dark with an overwhelming melancholy feel, which makes it tough to listen to. The opening track is largely an intro with whispered vocals but sets the tone nicely. The full black metal experience begins with “Nådens år” and has all that one would expect, the droning guitar riff that drills into your brain with some raspy spoken/shouted black metal vocals over the top. Guitars and vocals dominate the mix, making this an even more challenging listen. The overall feel is cold, fitting with lyrics that translate into…”But now I stand here alone with only memories and tears left and I can no longer perceive the sound of your breath…they are hidden from me in the valley of oblivion…” Dark for sure and the droning riffs are abrasive, clawing at your brain. The quieter interludes with just bass guitar and strings provide some relief but it is short lived.
“Elegi från ett enskilt kapell” (Elegy From a Single Chapel) is a somber reflection, lament for the dead, which ironically has a brighter tone than the previous track as well as some sense of melody and some good transitions fueled by strong guitar riffs but again overall the song is dark as one would expect given the subject matter. The near shriek-like black metal vocals dominate when present as they do elsewhere on the album but even in Swedish convey the emotions involved.
“Sjögrav” (Sea Grave) starts out calmly with some clean melancholy guitars and then shifts into the black metal droning riffs with the shouted/shrieked black metal vocals as on the other tracks. In this case the song is focused on those lost in the North Sea.
In contrast to the tracks in Swedish, “The Harrow” and “Illios”shift the vocals to English but since it is atmospheric black metal, the change is somewhat subtle unless you are looking at the lyrics with the song. The imagery employed is dark and foreboding and again the vocals and guitars dominate the mix.
“Ett enskilt rum på Sabbatsberg” (A Single Room on Sabbatsberg) from a subject matter is one of the more difficult tracks on the album as it deals sitting by a loved one as they pass and the longing for being able to be with that person to heaven/paradise but being held to this reality by youth which “makes me stay”. Musically, this track is more conventional in structure, fueled by a somber guitar riff that brings the emotion that supports the anguish in the black metal vocals. From a pacing standpoint the song is a bit on the slow, grinding side leaning towards a doom feel, which is more than appropriate and the deep choral vocals are an inspired touch as well as the mournful, brief guitar solo. The album closes out with an instrumental track that in its simplicity provides the perfect closing atmosphere.
MInnesord by Gravvård is one of the toughest albums I’ve had to review in a long time. I’ve done other atmospheric black metal albums which I do enjoy but this is one that struck a raw nerve on every listen. Translating some of the lyrics actually made it a tougher listen than before what I knew the songs were about. This is a dark, abrasive album where the subject matter melds perfectly with the music. Not an easy listen but worth the journey as there is beauty and hope in the darkness.
Written by John Jackson
Rating: 8/10
Tracklist
1. Vid terminalen (At the End)
2. Nådens år (The Year of Grace)
3. Elegi från ett enskilt kapell (Elegy From a Single Chapel)
4. Sjögrav (Sea Grave)
5. The Harrow
6. Ilios
7. Ett enskilt rum på Sabbatsberg (A Single Room on Sabbatsberg)
8. Avfärd (Departure)
Release Date: November 8, 2024
Record Label: Sneeuwstorm Produkties
Band Members
Vindur – instruments
Grìshâ – instruments, vocals & lyrics
Weblinks
Bandcamp: https://gravvard.bandcamp.com/album/minnesord
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gravvard/
Video for Minnesord (Full Album)