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/:: Artist :: Graveland ::\
:: Album :: Blood of Heroes ::
:: Year :: 2024 ::
:: __ _ _ __ ::
-:--\\-----------------------------------------------------------------//--:-
:: \ / ::
:: . Genre :: Black Metal Source :: MCD . ::
:: Label :: Hammer of Damnation R.date :: 2024-06-22 ::
_::__ Cat.nr. :: HOD269 S.date :: 2024-05-07 __::_
::// \\::
::/---------------------------------------------------------------------\::
:: ::
/: Encoder :: LAME 3.100 -V0 :\
..: Bitrate :: avg. 268kbps :..
. Quality :: 44.1 kHz/Joint Stereo .
. Size :: 32.82 MB .
. .
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+/ -\------- | | ----\ tracklist /---- | | -------/- \+
/: . : : . :\
/:: ::\
:: 1. I Am What They Fear 6:40 ::
:: 2. Blood of Heroes 9:35 ::
:: ::
:: ::
:: ------- ::
.. >> 16:15 ..
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+/ -\------- | | ----\ release notes /---- | | -------/- \+
/: . : : . :\
/:: ::\
:: ::
:: After releasing the gorgeous Memory and Destiny, Rob Darken ::
:: quickly followed it up with the Blood of Heroes EP. The ::
:: contents of the EP are in all likelihood tracks that didnÆt ::
:: make the cut for Memory and Destiny. The two songs are in a ::
:: similar style, employing the same musical elements and creating ::
:: a similar oceanic aura. However, there are a few factors that ::
:: distinguish Blood of Heroes from Memory and Destiny. The ::
:: arrangements on Blood of Heroes are thinned out. While there ::
:: are big synths, they are nowhere near as layered as those found ::
:: on Memory and Destiny. The result is a more open sound. While ::
:: the synths starred on Memory and Destiny, here the guitars and ::
:: synth are on about equal footing. The drumming is also more ::
:: prominent, sounding far more sharp and crisp than on most ::
:: Graveland recordings. ::
:: ::
:: ôI am What They Fearö is definitely the stronger of the two ::
:: songs. Rob employs his fusion of bold riffs and heavenly synths ::
:: within a faster, more upbeat framework. The choir wails a ::
:: glorious tune while the drums provide a galloping pace. The ::
:: faster pace marries the violence and nobility of the warrior ::
:: into one attacking yet elegant sound. The title track isnÆt as ::
:: interesting. ItÆs a fairly standard piece for this era, but it ::
:: lacks a truly memorable riff. ::
:: ::
:: All in all one would have to conclude that Rob did a good job ::
:: in choosing which songs to keep off of Memory and Destiny. ::
:: While ôI am What They Fearö is an excellent song, its fast pace ::
:: and aggressive attitude would have been out of place amongst ::
:: the mid-tempo, reflective pieces on Memory and Destiny. On the ::
:: other hand, ôBlood of Heroesö just doesnÆt stand out. ItÆs a ::
:: solid but not spectacular piece that lacks a truly stellar ::
:: riff. In sum, Blood of Heroes is a nice a quick fix for those ::
:: who canÆt get enough of GravelandÆs pagan metal era. ::
:: ::
:: . _ _ . ::
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