Simply elegant
-- Graular --
03/02/2022
Stijn Daneels
Album genres:
■ | Progressive Metal |
Album artists:
■ | Lyth Bendik Hole | Vocals |
■ | Jarle Lunde | Guitars |
■ | Per Morten Hagabråten | Guitars |
■ | Tor Arne Birkeland | Bass |
■ | Fredrik Songe | Drums |
Review written by Corin Geypen.
[CORIN REPORTING]
My husband is a bit of
a music snob. (Don’t tell him I said that.) He’s very eclectic in his tastes
and most of his favourite bands can be described as such: eclectic. But over
the years, I’ve also learned a thing or two about prog metal and their
derivates thanks to him. So when the chance came along to review Norwegian prog
rockers Graular, I jumped at the chance. Graular has recently signed to
WormholeDeath Records and rereleased their EP “Ashes.”
[SHREDDING BASICS]
Graular has clearly
done its prep work and made sure the material their released was rock solid.
The sound is great, even over crappy laptop speakers. The songs are structured
and polished, and each instrument comes through well in the mix. Off to a good
start. Also, vocalist Lyth sounds a bit like the lovechild of Terrence Trent
D’Arby and Daniel Thompkins. Maybe with some Spencer Sotelo genes spliced in
for the screams. Again, great start.
The intro of “Spitfire"
actually put me in mind of an old KoRn song, but ended up being nothing like
it. Funny how the mind works. I like the almost haunting quality of that cool
guitar sound. The vocals weave in and out of the music and the effect is
awesome. You find yourself weaving right along with the band. The lyrics are a
painful reminder of man’s self-destructive tendencies, pointing out that we’re
destroying the one planet we have. If only more people got that message as
clearly as Graular does.
Clean vocals provide
an emotional introduction to “Dark Triad,” the third song on this EP. What
follows could have come straight off a Leprous album, except the vocals give it
a definite Graular spin. I love that this band is clearly influenced by a
number of bands, but somehow still sounds entirely original. The solo is moody
and wouldn’t be misplaced on a number of metal albums out there, while the
almost Arabian-inspired finger work pulls it in a completely different
direction again. I thought it was a really cool addition. You keep turning a
corner in these songs and getting a completely different street than you were
expecting, but in the best possible way.
The last song on the
Ashes EP is “Collide.” A slow, taunting build-up warns about broken trust and
people in authority not always being right. Or at least, that’s my
interpretation. Another song with strong music, the guitars guiding the vocals
along the right path. There’s a lot of use of dual voices here, adding just a
touch more depth. I really like the ease with which Lyth switches from clean to
scream and back again without seemingly breaking a sweat. I wish I was that
accomplished as a vocalist. The solo work is once again excellent and just
right for the song. I wish I could tell you whether it was Jarle or Per’s work,
but unfortunately I don’t know. Either way, I definitely have no complaints.
[SHREDDING VISION]
The EP cover shows a
person on a mountain in front of a solar eclipse or maybe a blackening sun. I
suppose the title Ashes refers to the destructive nature of man and the fact
that if we continue this way, we will end up with nothing but ashes. That is,
if we survive at all. The landscape is bare, the person alone. It would be a
sad ending indeed.
[SHARPEST SHREDS & BLUNTEST BLADES]
It’s hard to choose a favourite song in
this EP. I liked different things about each song and really can’t commit to
one song more than another. I listened to this EP quite a number of times and
kept finding more things to compliment on and enjoy. So all of them, I guess.
Just all of them.
[CORIN’S SCORECARD]
Graular did a phenomenal job and it’s hard
to believe they have only been at it for a few years. The “Ashes” EP is
polished, sleek and a joy to listen to. As a vocalist, I am jealous of Lyth and
how he delivers complex vocal lines in such an effortless way. And the rest of
the band is clearly very skilled, too, the off-beat rhythms and riffs showing a
mastery of both their instruments in particular and song writing in general. 10
out of 10, thoroughly enjoyed it.