I've been torturing my ears with Mystic Grave's (born in Northern Finland back in the end of 2006) debut EP 'Doom, Death, Darkness' since it was unleashed in December 2007. The band pulled out into their sepulchre to conjure new yet already putrid material.

4-song demo 'Mystigram' is the result. If the debut's title sounds like Runemagick's, it's small when compared to this fucker! Mystic Grave create occult soundscaped with guitar, bass and drum work alone, just like Sweden's legendary sorcerers. Death-cum-doom metal influenced by ancient monstrosities is a welcome treat in these days of modern, machine-like obscenities. Now the band stick to slow and mid-paced outlet. It fluctuates from aforementioned occult stuff to solid riff-oriented stuff. Warm-as-decomposing-corpse-in-a-grave production is more than suitable. Anyways, main vocals are very much in vein of Chris Barnes, but this argument should be taken as positive, because it is Mr. Barnes at his worst, not his diphtheria-ridden Mickey Mouse era.

'Doom, Death, Darkness' was much more multifaceted a release, but 'Mystigram' still works despite its colossal Runemagick worship. If Runemagick ain't your thing, you still might want to try this, because Mystic Grave's songs are tight and way shorter than some Runemagick's jumbo songs, and the whole demo is well done. Mystic Grave are simply a fucking good band.

Reviewed by Lane
10/27/2009 20:15