Review: “In harmonie met de dood” by Grafhond

Taking their inspiration from the early second wave of Black Metal movement, where bands like Mayhem, Emperor and Darkthrone were reigning Kings, a pair of like minded individuals joined forces to forge a link between the old and new worlds of the genre. Compiling musical ideas with the focus on aggression and despair, and finding a lyrical approach to give a voice to their inner demons, the first product of their hatred has been forged in “In harmonie met de dood” (or “In Harmony With Death“). A self recorded and mixed affair, mastered by Dion Vermaes (The Kyteman Orchestra, Galg) it is time to witness the birth of Grafhond (or “Grave Dog“)…

Not being Dutch speakers we’ve used the wonders of the internet to translate the track titles on this to give you a flavor of what it’s all about but in truth all you need to know is that it’s a twenty four minute storm of Black Metal from Graaf Graf and Nachtvorst. Opening cut “De zuivering” (or “The Purification“) is frantic and frenetic with vocals that border on the unhinged. A blunt force truma, the sonic equivalent of a being hit over the head by a brick it’s swiftly followed by “Verwekker” (or “Causative agent“) which maintains the intensity of the aggressive riffs while adding  mournful chord progressions and haunted vocal moment. Perhaps there are influences in Hardcore Punk that hide beneath the layers of skull battering Black Metal but their are also hints at melody as well. The second wave means this isn’t Black Metal recorded on a potato in a cave and instead has a crisp clean furious drum sound that confirms the use of decent gear to get a good sound. The pummelling percussion is fast and loose suggesting that a click track wasn’t used in favour of some spice and volatility and the power in the performance is immense. Restless and relentless “Gefluister” (or “Whisper“) is another nightmarish vision in black, vocally touching the void into schizophrenia with the feral rantings of a lunatic asylum dweller. A cunning slow down in the final third makes for a momentary respite, a downtempo wave of riffs working incredibly well.

The duo have both a DIY or DIE and go hard or go home attitude as “Gat” (or “Hole“) demonstrates with caustic throat shredding vocals and artillery shelling percussive battery. Somehow managing to be meloncholic with an agony to it, “Verslagen” (or “Defeated“) it the sound of a man walking towards the roaring fires of self immolation, the fretboard smouldering with the sheer power of the riffs. A demonic call to the void in search of hope where none is found, this brutal cut still has a verve and swagger to it despite all the odds. Dark humour has long been a stock in trade for Black Metal masters and with “Voor galg en rad” (or “For gallows and wheel“), that evil bubbles to the surface as the very bones are shaken loose with the bands performance. Jackhammer footwork and blasting keeps the energy levels high as the crushing riffs flow with consummate ease. This one sounds like the two men were in a jam room together, facing off with while playing all out until collapse, spilling blood, sweat and beers in pure unadulterated catharsis [8/10]

Track Listing

1. De zuivering
2. Verwekker
3. Gefluister
4. Gat
5. Verslagen
6. Voor galg en rad

“In harmonie met de dood” by Grafhond is out 31st March 2023 via Void Wanderer Productions