Review GRAVEYARD ‘6’

The new Graveyard album got a pretty simple title. ‘6’ is a statement as it is, what a surprise, the sixth longplayer from the Gothenburg-based rock band. More than five years after having release ‘Peace’ it is the new longplayer that brings nine new songs to the plate.

It took Graveyard a while to finish work on the new album which is pandemic related. Time was the decisive factor also in this context but less that Joakim Nilsson and bandmates had too much time. Since everybody took other jobs to make the living in these strange times and took care about the families.

With leaving these dark months behind means moving forward to have a look on the outcome of the work process. Graveyard’s new album represents the trademarks of the band but is a bit calmer and gloomy than ‘Peace’. The pandemic might have had in impact on the expression of these nine songs but there is always a hopeful element too, embedded be the band in songs like rocking ‘Twice’. The powerful song is a boiled down two-minute rock’n’roll anthem that impresses.

The dark and partly psychedelic moments come to shine with ‘I Follow You’. Reminding me a bit of Monster magnet in some parts of the song, ‘Twice’ is a soul-touching moment on the album.

Gloomy and equipped with a good swing ‘Breath in Breath Out’ slowly crawls into your mind before the bluesy ‘Sad Song’ brings emotions to a next level. As the title indicated we aren’t looking at a loud blasting rock anthem. Instead, we get a fragile song that is well crafted and heart melting.

‘Just a Drop’ comes with a few layers and brings the guitar back to the spotlight, followed by ‘Bright Lights’. The latter isn’t the laid-back rock song. It a melancholic tune and the brightness might come through the different shades of grey the song reflects.

Blues returns to the scene with ‘Rampant Fields’. The closing track of ‘6’ is a soulful and emotional track that with lyrics addressing life as a rollercoaster ride with mistake one just need get through.

‘6’ is another milestone in Graveyard’s discography. The album reflects the trademarks of the band and at the same time showcases a totally different mood compared to ‘Peace’. ‘6’ focusses on the gentle tones and isn’t loud. It is a soulful journey with emotions being the centerpiece. ‘6’ demands some focus and attention before unveiling its entire magic but the reward is granted.