Review Summary: Fear the worm!
Graveworm’s 2023 release does not sound new. It is straight out of 2008 in spirit, with cheesy strings accompanying the blackest of metal. The growls set forth in a truly non-varied way, the riffs aren’t very complicated, and the drummer slaps out predictable patterns. One might think those are negatives, but Graveworm manage to swag it out/shake it all about — mostly. The chunk of the guitar manages to keep the chunk spree going, meaning the guitars slap ass with the hand of a behemoth. One may be confused for a second, imagining Graveworm as a doom metal band because the riffs go so hard but nay, this is blackened, crusty metal. Cheesy it may be with guttural, extremely conventional growls, but slap the growls do.
Halfway through the album it may be realized that the album ain’t changing for shit. The drummer consistently goes wham-bam without apologizing which is rude, but ear pleasing with the hypnotic rhythms. A massive fucking problem arises when the songs slow down, though. The simple chuggy chunkies are suddenly less lovely, and then I want a huggy. I do love a good chug, and can personally chug any drink (including water) harder than the average man, but it does get repetitive. Indeed, there are certain parts in the album that drag, and then are repetitive while they drag, which kills the momentum and is a drag. Still, chuggy chunkies!
If you like your black metal less crazy than the average bear, this bear is here for you. It is unique in its desire to not be with the times, like someone afraid of using the internet. With it, the riffs and shreds are easy come easy go, fairly slappy, but nothing not seen before in previous re-runs, and they really just fill the space adequately. Nothing shocking basically, some good ol’ comfort zone black metal, which should remind you of your childhood if you’re old as fuck like me, and buying Fruit Gushers to reconnect with the inner child.
This album gets a recommendation simply because it is fairly enjoyable, and not annoying to listen to. Some may say the album is nothing special, and that’s correct, but there’s beauty in predictability now and then. If you put on the album you’ll know what you’re getting yourself into. It may not be the best album on the block, but it has the riffs that go zzzzrrrr. If that isn’t a selling point you may be a hipster indie boy, and in that case why the fuck are you reading this review? It’s a mystery, but it’s clear that this album goes hard.
