I used to avoid Polish black and death metal bands like the plague, after the disappointment in more mainstream bands like Vader and Behemoth. But that was before hearing of Graveland.

I first came into contact with this band Graveland a while back. After hearing only a couple tracks, I had to buy all the albums from which I sampled. Here we have the “Dawn of Iron Blades” album which is my personal favourite album of all time, alongside Neraines’ “Yggdrasil” and Phantom’s “Angel of Disease“. This music gives me a feeling like no other, a sense of pride being from Poland.

Now, the music is very well crafted, that is most certain. The guitars, oh boy, the guitars… Rob manages to craft some of the most well put together riffs I’ve ever heard. For example on the song “Immortal Bloodline” the guitars are so fucking majestic it will make you lose your mind. I could play that song all day and still get the rise I get from it each time.

The guitars are a key instrument in “Dawn of Iron Blades” because they are the essence of the compositions, they give it that powering feeling that is just totally overwhelmingly dark and majestic. The vocals are something that also stand out on this record. Rob’s vocal style ranges from black metal vocals to folk/viking metal vocals, and I just love the album that much more for its variety.

Speaking of which, on the first song “Iron in the Fog” I there are folk vocals that are incorporated and they compliment the instruments very nicely. The vocal ability of Graveland is outstanding, there is no comparison with any other band possible.

Drums are very interesting in this release because the black metal routine blastings are rare, and when they due happen they feel refreshing due to the fact they’re played in a very creative and original fashion.

I would highly recommend fans of black metal, folk metal and viking metal to at least check Graveland out and give them a shot. Many ignorant people call Graveland a “racist band” but you couldn’t find a more retarded statement even if you tried (and read this if you still take the “racist” accusations seriously).

I think you all will not be disappointing but very much delighted by what you hear on “Dawn of Iron Blades“. Buy it today!

100/100 A+. True black metal.