Info
- Band(s): Markgraf
- Label(s): AbArt Corruption, Blutrausch Propaganda
- Release Format(s): 12" vinyl, Cassette
- Release Year: 2024
- Review Date: September 5, 2024
- Author(s): FelixS
Although this German band already released a 12” EP back in 2020, with even a demo a year earlier, Markgraf went completely under my radar. A shame, as this band definitely is something that fits me just like a glove. Unconventional, unorthodox, wild, adventurous, creative, outrageous, otherworldly… Just a few words that could describe the music of Markgraf. But let’s try to give things a bit more context, as this is not quite your next Diabolical Masquerade or Arcturus sort of “adventurism”.
Markgraf most splendidly mixes Black Metal with some of the most tasteful elements out of the Heavy Metal genre. Symphonic and fierce, frantic and melodic: all at the same time. While in recent times there are more Black Metal bands that are incorporating some similar bits and pieces of Heavy Metal into their music, it is more the classic leads and solo’s, such as the terrific Moonlight Sorcery is doing so well. But Markgraf is doing something completely different, even new perhaps.
When it comes to Black Metal and Heavy Metal some of my favourite bands are Master’s Hammer and Cirith Ungol respectively, and let it be exactly those two bands that Markgraf genially brings together here. The unconventional way of riffing and changing tempos are more than once reminiscent of the Czechs, but it is singer (and guitarist) Ódio in particular who steals the show with his more than impressive Tim Baker immitation. His maniacal vocals sound so convincing that I had to pinch myself several times to realise it wasn’t a hallucination.
And how well that typical screeching vocals go with this style of music too! The band already showed this on the previously released self-titled 12″ EP from a few years ago, but with this debut album, Markgraf really pulls out all the stops. This is especially well reflected in the 20-minute last track of the album, which goes from dissonant and atonal riffs to fiery blast beats and from spacey keyboards to epic leads. And of course Ódin’s vocal antics that are the icing on the cake.
It goes without saying that this most likely will not everybody’s cup of tea. But if you, like me, have a deep rooted love for original and idiosyncratic music that is not limiting itself to any genre, and if you don’t mind to be tossed around between Saxon or Iron Maiden leads and blazing blast beats and being served with some hysterical vocals… then Markgraf’s debut album might just make your day.
AbArt Corruption
- Country: Germany
- Style: Black Metal, Death Metal, Other
- Links: Homepage, Facebook, Instagram
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Blutrausch Propaganda
- Country: Germany
- Style: Black Metal, Doom Metal, Other
- Links: Homepage, Facebook, Instagram
