Many years ago in a town far, far away called Gothenburg, Sweden, a retro-doom band lived by the name of Norrsken. This band of slaves to all in the name of rock decided to split ways. One valiant member went on to form Witchcraft. The remaining would go on to begin what is known to me as the greatest rock and roll band of my generation-GRAVEYARD. If you thought rock died in the seventies, think again. Yes, you can call this classic rock and yes, you can say they are retro and you would not be far off if you said that the majority of their influence is derived from a time long ago; but if you even thought for a second that this band is a copy-cat piece of shit throwback band that'll blow in the wind for 15 minutes before crashing to the ground you are sorely mistaken.
Their self-titled debut on Tee Pee Records showed promise and they gained much critical acclaim in the underground. Over the course of the last four years, after serious touring and dialing in on their sound we finally see the release of a second album-Hisingen Blues, and I can't love it more.
Their self-titled debut on Tee Pee Records showed promise and they gained much critical acclaim in the underground. Over the course of the last four years, after serious touring and dialing in on their sound we finally see the release of a second album-Hisingen Blues, and I can't love it more.
Staying true to their roots, it's all recorded in analog using vintage equipment and the production done by Don Ahlsterberg is truly remarkable. Every instrument gleams. The guitar interplay by guitarist/vocalists Joakim Nilsson and Jonatan Larocca Ramm is incredibly tight-a match made in heaven. Time has really treated them well. The riffs hook you like a fish on a line and are instantly memorable, not to mention the bluesy bass grooves from Rikard Edlund. His thick bass work really holds the album together through the relentless as well as the intermittent. Their catchy-ness is really what makes this album a grower, and with repeated listens you'll see what I mean. Nilsson and Ramm don't stop there either-their strong vocal chords ooze with character. Nilsson carries like a Robert Plant. I mean his voice isn't super similar tonally, but the huge power and impact on your soul is just the same. Drummer Axel Sjöberg's fills throughout the album are perfect. His stunning malleability seeps into every nook and cranny of the guitars. The album just wouldn't stand as it does without his infecteous work, most notably on the snare. This is a band with destiny, I hope you agree.
buy here
and here's a download of the whole thing plus some bonus tracks. The first is only available on iTunes (and US indie store CDs?); the second is only available on the b-side of the limited 7" single they released, which is long gone.
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