ADifferentShadeOfBlackMetalZine: Grai

Showing posts with label Grai. Show all posts

Monday, September 23, 2013

Grai/Warmrot The Bitter Grass/Vic Records/2013 CD Re-Issue Review

Grai are a band from Russia that has been featured before in this zine with a musical style I would describe as being pagan/folk metal with elements of black and death metal and this is a review of their 2009 album "Warmrot The Bitter Grass" which was re-issued by Vic Records in the year of 2013.

"Meet the Summer, Red" begins with some folk music instruments which then lead to some melodic , guitar leads, bass guitars and drums along with some melodic clean singing female vocals a few seconds later as well as some heavy rhythm guitar riffs and then the vocals start adding in some black metal screams and growls but also keeping around the more melodic parts and as the song moves on the guitar riffing starts getting more diverse.

"Winds" begins with some sound effects, synths and folk instruments which then leads to some bass guitars, drums and spoken word parts that also set up the mood for some heavy guitar riffs and leads as well as bringing in some melodic vocals and after awhile there is a brief use of blackened death metal growls being utilized.

"I Will Go Into the Field" begins with some folk instruments, bass guitar and melodic vocals along with some acoustic guitars then then leads to some drums and heavy guitar riffs and then the song starts switching back and forth between the soft and heavy parts as well as bringing in some melodic guitar leads.

"Song Of Grief And The Feet" begins with some synths and folk instruments which then leads to some melodic guitar leads, bass and drums as well as some melodic vocals and then getting heavy with some deep death metal growls while also keeping around the guitar leads and female vocals and towards the end there are some melodic male clean singing vocals being utilized for a few seconds as well as some black metal elements getting added to the vocals and the song closes in a cleaner direction.

"Drunkard - Hellbenders" begins with some spoken word parts, folk instruments, bass, drums and melodic guitar leads and then the music starts getting heavier while also keeping around the folk instruments and then the melodic vocals start kicking in and then the music starts switching back and forth between soft and heavy parts.

"Memory And Woe" begins with some heavy guitar riffs, synths, bass, drums and deep death metal growls which then lead to the folk instruments kicking in and a few seconds later black metal screams become a part of the song which leads to some melodic male and vocals making their presence known and then the song starts switching back and forth from folk and metal.

"Winter" begins with some folk instruments and acoustic guitars and then the bass guitars and drums start kicking in which leads to the heavy guitar riffs and melodic female vocals kicking in and then the music starts switching back and forth from t he soft and heavy parts as well as some melodic guitar leads.

"A Birch" begins with some bass guitar leads and synths and then the melodic vocals start kicking in which leads to some deep death metal growls and heavy guitar riffs while also keeping around the female vocals and switching back and forth between the folk and metal parts as well as adding in some melodic guitar leads and solos.

"Volga, The River And Leyl" begins with some folk instruments and heavy guitar riffs then t he bass, drums and melodic vocals kick in and as time goes by synths start making their way into the song and then the music starts making switches back and forth between soft and heavy parts and towards the end there is a brief use of spoken word parts being utilized..

Song lyrics are written in Russian and cover Slavic Paganism and History, while the production has a very strong, powerful, heavy, and professional sound where you can hear all of the musical instruments that are present on this recording along with some of the songs being very long and epic in length.

In my opinion this is another great sounding recording from Grai and if you are a fan of pagan/folk metal, you should check out t his re-issue. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Meet the Summer, Red" "I Will Go Into the Field" "Winter" and "Volga, The River And Leyl". RECOMMENDED BUY.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Grai Interview

1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

At the very moment we’re composing the material for the 3rd album. In the first half of 2013 the recording may be begun. Besides, we’re planning to take part in some gigs – we’re preparing for them. But mainly we compose the new material which’s going to gladden our listeners, suppose.

2.How would you describe the musical sound of the new album and how it differs from previous releases?

The album’s full of different wind-instruments sounds, female vocal-trio and more lively and merry music development. Though we couldn’t’ do without ballads, we tried to expound them more brightly. Moreover, in comparison with the previous one this album is more merry, bold and energetic.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new release?

In particular we continue composing and playing music touching upon the theme of the holidays and our ancestors’ mode of life, some stories of nature. It contains much humor on a level of serious themes. But the major aim is to tell the listeners about all the sides of our ancestors’ way of life – from our point of view. We add to our music more wind- and folk instruments – a jew’s harp, kalyuka, bag-pipe, whistle.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

One shouldn’t rely on the literal translation though there’s a grain of it in it’s meaning. That’s the cry or a song of a bird which can be heard in the sky and everywhere. Like us for we want our song be hears everywhere.

5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?

Each gig is great and unique in it’s way, but most of all we were impressed by the open-air “Peredvizhenye” in Pereslavl’ –Zalessky, “Bylinny bereg 2012” in Kimry, Folk-fest – 2012 in Ufa. We shared stage with Troll bends Fir, Skolot and many other well-known bands,. Fresh air, pure nature, great scene and sound and a friendly audience stuck in our memory.

6.Do you have any touring plans for the new release?

Yes, we’re planning to go to the festival “Nasledye 2012” in Tambov in the nearest future. But before that we’re going to visit Kazan. Ulianovsk and after that Izhevsk at the end of this year. Moreover, we’ve got some plans to visit Europe in 2013.

7.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of folk metal?

There were rather flattering feedback from the fans from South America, Chili, France – there were lots of reviews! Thanks to everyone for those pleasant opinions. And Russia. Of course. Thanks to everyone who knows and listens to us!

8.Are there any other musical projects besides this band or is this a full time line up?

Yes, some of us participate in side-projects, But GRAI is first-priority, naturally)) Ruzveld, Andrey and Irina take part in the project of Alex Nightbird Soloviev – Serdze-Kamen’.

9.What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

We think, it’s going to be a bit more complicated and melodious but thought-provoking, of course – more wind-instruments and merry inflammatory tunes. That’s going to be directed on folklore and nature even more.

10.What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

One can’t say that playing this music we listen to folk music only. Some of us listen to electronic music, some like jazz or classical music. Some listen to progressive, the others – pagan-metal. That would take too much time to enumerate all the genres and the bands. Concerning the first part of the question - our music was influenced be Cruachan, Gods Tower, Alkonost, Korpiklaani e.t.c.

11.How would you describe your views on Paganism?

Paganism is a way of displaying of patriotism and honoring and giving respect to your Native Land. To esteem former times when all the Slavic folks were a single whole when there were no fat feudal lords. I think we should never loose the pivot making us what we are. We all should know who we are and where we live.

12. Outside of music what are some of your interests?

Unfortunately, we have a lack of time. Mainly we spend it at the rehearsals and at work. But some of us are fond of travelling, going cycling, arranging the gigs and celebrating some holidays))))

13.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Spend your time rationally, do what you like doing and the result won’t keep you waiting, That’s going to be beyond any expectations. Listen to true music! Wish you peace and all the best!

Monday, November 12, 2012

Grai/O Zemle Rodnoy (About Our Native Land)/Vic Records/2012 CD Review

Grai are a band from Russia that plays an atmospheric form of folk metal and this is a review of their 2012 album "O Zemle Rodnoy (About Our Native Land)" which was released by Vic Records.

Drums range from slow to mid paced drumming with no fast playing or blast beats, while the flutes and other folk instruments bring a very medieval and pagan sound to the music, as for the bass playing it has a very dark tone with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars and at times they have a very powerful sound to them.

Rhythm guitars range from slow to mid paced folk metal riffs that utilize some influences from melodic pagan and black metal, while the lead guitars are very melodic sounding guitar solos and leads, as for the acoustic guitars they use full chords to bring a folk music sound to the music.

Vocals are all clean singing female pagan/folk metal vocals with a brief use of deep growls and harsh screams being utilized at times, while the lyrics are written in Russian and cover Slavic Folklore and Paganism, as for the production it has a very strong, powerful, heavy and professional sound to it.

In my opinion Grai are a very great sounding epic folk metal band and if you are a fan of this musical genre, you should check out this recording. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Psen O Zemle Rodnoy" "Leshak" "Uchody dalyoko, gore" and "Vstavy s koleni!". RECOMMENDED BUY.