Graveworm – “[N]Utopia”
Having a good sound is important, as is having memorable songs, which this band has. With the growled/harsh vocals, the heavy/chunky guitar sound, this is closer to black/death than anything. In fact, if you have heard past efforts, you might find it pleasantly more aggressive and still easy to remember the songs. Also, when you hear these songs you can sense momentum, like the band knows they are on to something. Even though all the above is a plus, I do find that I don’t get excited about this group. Why? The modern, hip black metal feel does not sound genuine to me. For example, the guitar work, the riffs, the sound lacks spice, life, character. At first, it sounds impressive, but after a couple of songs the chunky guitar emerges as derivative, even though, again, it has a great sound. If you are wondering what exactly it is that I’m “whining” about, it’s the fact that I don’t hear anything that has personality, that particular energy, that excitement. Frankly, this is done well, performed well, but it’s just too trendy-sounding. Put it this way, if you are 16 years old and just haven’t heard much black/death/goth, then this will sound “cool”, but since I’m, like, 164 years old, I hear too much cut and paste of other, more famous, successful black/goth bands.