Gravewurm – Funeral Rites
USA
Funeral Empire Records Ltd.
Gravewurm is an American black/death metal band formed in 1992, in the city of Clarion, Pennsylvania. In the span of 21 years they have released a whopping 17 full lengths, not including EPs, demos, or other releases. So it means they are no amateurs to their craft and it very much shows on their 16th full length, 'Funeral Rites', released at the beginning of last year.
Overall, this release is a well executed black/doom full-length. The delivery is menacing, focusing on a more midpaced, riff-oriented approach to black metal. Though the vocals don't have much dynamic to them, they are consistent, suit the music and are evil in delivery.
The guitar tone is appropriately bright and high gain to compliment the disgusting riffs excreting out, giving the listener a sample of how a chainsaw in their ear drums would feel. A solid balance of catchniness and depravity can be heard within the 10 songs on this album. The fluidity of how each song shifts into one another makes this album cohesive, keeping the listener captivated.
Funeral Rites almost sounds like a more black n' roll Craft or Carpathian Forest, whilst putting more emphasis on the "black" part of black n' roll. On top of all this, there are mid-paced thrashy riffs thrown into the mix as the cherry on top. Near the end, the album begins to sound mildly stagnant, however, I only felt this for the final song, which is a good thing. Funeral Rites ends up being exactly as long as it needs to be. This is an album I would recommend it to anyone who laments that black metal does not have enough real riffs these days. (AR)