Artist: Gravavgrav / Bastard Grave
Country: Japan / Sweden
Label: Behind The Mountain
Formats: Split 7″ EP
Year: 2023
As a fan of the split 7″ EP format for its (often) musical variety and the 7″ EP in general, it was another moment of joy to see that Sweden’s Bastard Grave are back on that little slice of vinyl. Previously, these Swedish gents and lady released a split 7″ EP with Graveyard Ghoul and three albums. This time, they share their vinyl with Japan’s Gravavgrav, who, despite only existing since 2021, have already amassed a nice discography.
Gravavgrav have the honour of opening this split and do so with great conviction. The sound is clearly inspired by Bolt Thrower’s early recordings, it is impossible not to think of ‘World Eater’ when the first real riff, after a somewhat muddled intro, erupts. That distinguishable Grindcore edge keeps rearing its head throughout the song, but it also definitely recalls that old and somewhat shaky Doom/Grind sound of bands like Grief and 13. That they are not averse to a granky, Grindcore-like sound was also to be expected as in the line-up we recognise some musicians from the likes of Butcher ABC, Mortify and the cultish Clotted Symmetric Sexual Organ. The band’s fairly extensive discography contains mostly demo and live recordings, hopefully we can see this split EP as a starting point for more.
On the flip side of the EP, we find Bastard Grave. A band that by now anyone with a shared fondness for Old School Death Metal must have heard. If you have indeed heard the band’s previous work, then you know exactly what to expect from their contribution to this split EP. It is still Old School Death Metal from Sweden that does not necessarily sound very Swedish, but combines influences from the old American, Dutch and German scenes. In an earlier review, I already cited bands like Grave, Sinister, Bolt Thrower, Demigod, Brutality, Monstrosity and Atrocity as tentative comparisons. It’s pretty safe to stick to those references, Bastard Grave just pays homage to everything that sounds Old School on every successive release. In so doing, it proves itself time and again as one of the better proponents of the Death Metal sound of yesteryear.
