This week has been one of adventurous album reviews, which is something that, even roughly half a decade into this webzine, I still get off on. Monday saw us tackling Tribulation’s latest gloomy foray, Sub Rosa in Æternum. Come Tuesday, it was off to a realm of dungeons and dragons with epic thrashers Skullovich and their debut, The Age of Steel. Today, we head to France, where up and coming “Dungeon Punks” Gravekvlt offer a truly unique spin on the first wave black metal sound with their sophomore album, Full Moon Fever.
Formed in 2021, Gravekvlt have put their nose to the grindstone, offering more of an output in the past three years than most bands these days have in the past decade. It was just a year ago the band struck with their self titled debut album, and roughly six months before that, their debut EP, Wait to Slaughter. Hot on the heels of those releases, Gravekvlt returns just in time for the Halloween hangover (Hey, some of us are still recovering from our candy comas!) with the aptly titled Full Moon Fever: A 30 minute barrage of gothic black ‘n’ roll exhumed from the grave.
Upon first listen, it’s easy to draw comparisons to US freaks Devil Master, who have made quite a name for themselves in the past decade with their unorthodox fusion of first wave black metal blasphemy, filthy punk, and morose goth. Gravekvlt largely adheres to the same formula, with some songs largely adhering to the ancient evil of Venom, while others tap into the vein of ’80s deathrock icons like Christian Death and Samhain. This is made evident from the opening title track, on which flanged out black ‘n’ roll riffs collide with a spooky atmosphere and dungeon synth foray, setting the stage for a truly lucifugous affair.
Punky ragers like “Skvllkrvsher (Of Death and Steel)” and “Frozen Grave”, as well as the black ‘n’ roll bruiser that is “Midnight Blasphemy”, boast hellish riffs, diabolical d-beats, and unholy swagger akin to Midnight. On the contrast are straightforward goth cuts like “Last Skeleton’s Dance” and “Fangs of the Night”, the latter boasting gentle guitar passages and *gasp* clean singing. Perhaps Gravekvlt too will one day abandoned their blackened ways in exchange for a throne in goth metal hell? I selfishly hope not, because my choice cut, “Hexanguination (Anaemic Dreams and Silver Blades)”, is an absolute clinic in Show No Mercy era worship. To say a full album of songs in this manner would go crazy is an understatement.
Although Full Moon Fever doesn’t rock my socks off in the same manner as the latest from Bütcher or Bewitcher, it’s still a release of note for anyone seeking out an affair that taps into the wicked ’80s, which if you’re a regular reader of this webzine, is likely you. As stated above, it’ll be interesting to see which path Gravekvlt follows on future releases. Until then, go moon crazy with the newest kvlt in town, Gravekvlt.
7 out of 10
Label: Independent
Genre: Black ‘n’ Roll
For fans of: Devil Master, Midnight, Samhain
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