Showing posts with label Grai. Show all posts
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.

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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!

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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.

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