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Review: Graveland - Will Stronger Than Death
Graveland
www.graveland.org
Will Stronger Than Death

Label: No Colours Records
Year released: 2007
Duration: 54:29
Tracks: 7
Genre: Black Metal

Rating:
4.25/5


Review online: July 17, 2007
Reviewed by: Sargon the Terrible
Readers' Rating
How do you rate this release?

Rated 3.08/5 (61.67%) (24 Votes)
Review

Eleventh album for the immortal, unstoppable Rob Darken and the pagan behemoth called Graveland. His last abum, Fire Chariot Of Destruction was a thundering metal masterpiece, so I was excited to get this one. I even managed to obtain it the same year it came out this time – a personal coup for me, Graveland CDs being notoriously difficult to get hold of.

While I can't say this is as flawless as Fire Chariot, this album is still an almighty stomper of a recording. The guitar tone is a bit rounded off and not as visceral as last time, but there is more bass in the mix, and so the album still has a lot of kick. One thing that really jumps out here is that the drum production is a lot different, with a louder high-hat and a more upfront mix. It takes some getting used to, and if you have crappy speakers it sounds very tinny, so make sure you play this on good headphones or real quality speakers. Overall the sound is good, and I have to give Rob credit for not just remaking the last album.

That said, I don't find the songwriting as compelling as I did last time out. While this is still a very strong album, it is more pugilistic and does not wield the melodic power of past works like Memory And Destiny or The Fire Of Awakening. Will Stronger Than Death is a solid disc, with a faster, more aggressive style than the last few, but altogether I don't think it stands up there with the best Graveland albums. Worthy.

More about Graveland...
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Review: Eastern Hammer (reviewed by Michel Renaud)
Review: Fire Chariot of Destruction (reviewed by Sargon the Terrible)
Review: Hour of Ragnarok (reviewed by Sargon the Terrible)
Review: Impaler's Wolves (reviewed by Sargon the Terrible)
Review: In The Glare Of Burning Churches (reviewed by Michel Renaud)
Review: Memory and Destiny (reviewed by Sargon the Terrible)
Review: Raise Your Sword! (reviewed by Michel Renaud)
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