Grave Disgrace is a special band and
it’s always cause for celebration when they release a new album. They’re right
up there along with HAZEMAZE, Las Cruces, Altareth, and Eye of Doom as my absolute
favourite Doom acts. Three years have elapsed since their last LP, the
phenomenal Rest in Peace. The band’s
already been around for a dozen years and I feel like they are still Doom’s
best kept secret—not enough people know or are talking about them. The power
trio from the Russian Federation released Visions
of Tomorrow last weekend and it’s bound to become a modern-day Doom rock classic.
“Prologue” gets the dark ceremony
going, an aptly titled instrumental running a little over two minutes in length.
Then the first single, the gloomy “Living Dead”, hits us with a strong communion
at the church of Sabbath. Alexey Uvarov’s vocals sound eerily similar to Ozzy’s
early days in Sabbath and it helps to set the mood of the record. “Blind Death”
follows, a slower-paced gem, equally Sabbath-inspired. The hypnotic riff will
put you under its doomy spell. At nearly ten minutes long, it’s the longest track
of the LP. “Razors and Blades”, the centerpiece, is thick, heavy and a
highlight of this album. It paints the gloomiest of atmospheres. The title
track is next, and it is pure awesomeness. It’s got a cool, groovy riff. “Coffins
in Blood” brings the curtain down in a sludgy, massively crushing way. The killer
guitar lays us to rest in our bloody coffins.
The three-year gap between albums
hasn’t fazed Grave Disgrace even in the slightest. With Visions of Tomorrow, they deliver another masterclass in what Doom
music should sound and feel like. Six tracks for 45 minutes of grim melodies. It’s
a perfect LP for a cold, rainy day. Come October, it’ll be an ideal soundtrack
for the fall season with its grey skies and shorter days. Visions of Tomorrow is simply the best Doom record of 2023 so far
and it remains to be seen if any other band will surpass it. Let’s just hope we
don’t have to wait another three years for Grave Disgrace’s next somber outing.
Grave Disgrace on Bandcamp: https://gravedisgrace.bandcamp.com/album/visions-of-tomorrow
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