Grá_Ramsvarta_tankar_COVER.jpgThis „album review“ thing has always been strange to me. Let’s not even mention that the EP reviews are even stranger. Perhaps one of the most difficult things is to describe music through words, because the perception of music is a very personal process. But sometimes, listening to a few minutes long piece can be way more intensive and powerful than a massive conceptual album. I have the not easy, even responsible task to present to you the new EP „Ramsvarta Tankar“ of the Swedish band GRÁ. Eight minutes piece, with two songs. The same name one „Ramsvarta tankar“ and a cover of Lord Belial, of their song „Osculum Obscenum“. I would say that this is an interesting choice. But considering the fact that the band are taking a new direction, this could mean that the direction is towards the Western occultism. „Patience is a virtue“ but I hope that the Swedes won’t make us wait years in order to hear their new ideas.

Here I will mention that the band and particulary Heljarmadr are more inspired and productive than ever. Even more, after the lineup changes around the well known core – Heljarmadr, Maugrim, Dimann, Vediger joined as a bassist and well known Natt, who became a guitarist of the band. Apart from The EP „RamSvarta Tankar“, is a forerunner of something more extensive, but the best (for me) is that they brought Cursed 13 back from the ashes.

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After the small talk I will draw your attention towards the tracks themselves. Those who attended the concert of GRÁ would remember the live version of “Ramsvarta Tankar”. The studio version sounds way more powerful, deeper and mystic. The drums are again in a little bit in the background although the main focus is on them, the bass is quite perceptible, which gives a thicker „gray-ish” and surrounding sound, which is the „trademark” of GRÁ. For me the idea of the overall irregular time signature is quite pleasing. We all know that these time signatures are not common in the West/North/. For me that sounds quite like some tribal or shaman melody and feeling, despite the darkness I feel some sort of positivity in the rhythm. Yes, it may sound somewhat like an abomination – darkness and joy…but as I said the perception of music is a very personal thing.

The cover is with the same structure as the original, but the sound design is the typical one for GRÁ – with more bass, lower and powerful, filled with the vocals of Heljarmadr, which according to me is more suitable for this song. True, the voice of Thomas “Dark” Backelin sounds more evil and furious but the voice of Heljarmadr gives the song a certain amount of mysticism and depth. The idea for the ending is a bit…surpising (a personal decision of GRÁ which is not included in the original), but completely corresponds with the idea and meaning – the ritual Osculum Inflame. So, kiss the goat! And await more good news from GRÁ.

“Ramsvarta Tankar” will be released on the 24th of March, trough Carnal Records and it will be marked by two concerts – in Gothenburg at the 24th of March and in Stockholm at the 26th of March. I know that it is away from us, but if you are around there by that time, don’t miss checking them out.

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9/10

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