Halloween is almost upon us and what better time to dig into some spooky atmospheric Doom music! I first became aware of Grave Disgrace about two years ago with the release of their Sabbatharium album. While that album was a solid effort and definitely made me take notice of them, I wasn’t expecting this past summer’s Rest in Peace to blow my socks off the way it did. Released through fine purveyors of Stoner/Doom/Heavy music The Swamp Records (Fuzzy Cracklins Presents), the Russian Federation power trio has concocted a near flawless Doom masterpiece.
I haven’t had a chance to listen to the rest of their catalogue yet but these guys know how to deliver the goods, having been around for over a decade now with more than half a dozen releases under their belt. Before we even hit the “Play” button, we’re treated to a gorgeous album cover art evoking Boris Karloff’s The Mummy. A slower and heavier album than its predecessor, it begins with hypnotic drumming to get the procession going with “End of the World” which flows smoothly into the next track, “Time After Time”. It’s the shortest song of the lot, running at close to 8 minutes, with vocals eerily reminiscent of early Sabbath back when Ozzy was just a young lad. Next we move on to the longest cut of the album running at just about 11 minutes titled “Dancing on My Grave”, a slower, thicker, graveyard doom-infused number. This one will linger with you long after the record stops spinning. From there we bleed into the excellent heavier than thou “Day of the Dead” with its infectious chorus and this song solidifies the album’s cohesiveness, making it almost feel like a concept album. We then get to the album’s last proper song, the title track “Rest in Peace” which is my personal favorite. A stunning anthem with haunting vocals channeling Ozzy at his peak, it’s followed by a one-minute instrumental coda titled “Hellhound Express” which brings us to the end of a stellar ceremony.
Rest in Peace is a strong contender for Doom album of the year in my humble opinion. It’s even more accessible than their previous album and I honestly can’t think of any reason why someone who loves Doom/Heavy Psych would not enjoy this record. Highly recommended, ideal music for a picnic in the graveyard, and a perfect soundtrack for the Halloween season!
Grave Disgrace’s Bandcamp page: https://gravedisgrace.bandcamp.com/
Fuzzy Cracklins’ Bandcamp page: https://theswamprecords.bandcamp.com/music
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