Grave – Endless Procession of Souls

Grave have been around forever. Having formed way back in 1988, this legendary band has, to date, released 10 albums of consistently solid old-school death metal.

Little has changed in regards to Lindgren and co.’s musical approach over the years, but, their tried and true groovin’ OSDM formula never disappoints. The way the band switches between crushing death/doom and more straightforward “TURN UP THE HM-2 AND GO FOR THE FUKKING THROAT D-BEAT D-BEAT D-BEAT UUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH!” thrashing Swedeath always manages to put a devilish grin on my face.

Long-term Grave fans will not be disappointed at all with “Endless Procession of Souls”. The usual Celtic Frost, Entombed, Dismember and Sodom influences are there, as well as the doomier moments which bring Asphyx/Hail of Bullets to mind. There’s nothing flashy or technical to be found here, so the hipster wannabe death metal crowd can fuck right off and stop reading now. The guitars sound thick and meaty, accentuated by a heavy bass tone, Ola’s vocals sound ugly as ever and the drums just totally pummel the listener to a bloody pulp.

Songs like “Amongst Marble and the Dead”, “Passion of the Weak”, “Winds of Chains” and “Epos” present nothing new or original by any means, but that’s what makes them great. Grave is one of the few bands who can churn out the same stuff for years and still completely kick arse. I hope they never change.