Swedish retro hard rockers Graveyard crank up the fuzz on their sophomore release (and Nuclear Blast debut) Hisingen Blues, though don't be fooled by the title, as this is just as much a homage to the classic 70's hard rock bands as their debut from a few years back.
If you love vintage Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, The Doors, Humble Pie, Deep Purple, Free, and Grand Funk Railroad, then you've come to the right place. Joakim Nilsson has a great set of pipes, as his bluesy drawl is the perfect complement to the meaty yet psychedelic riffing that he and Jonatan LaRocca Ramm create throughout Hisingen Blues. Tracks like "Ain't Fit to Live Here", "No Good Mr. Holden", "Ungrateful are the Dead", and the title track just ooze 70's styled hard rock, and are memorable from the very first listen. Even the more atmospheric, bluesy numbers such as "Uncomfortably Numb", "The Siren", and "Longing" work really well, the latter featuring some effective organ and layers of psychedelic guitar patterns for a mind numbing head trip.
Hisingen Blues is certainly a departure for what you'd normally hear on Nuclear Blast, but you have to give the label credit for going a little outside their comfort zone and signing a band like Graveyard. If you enjoy the whole retro vibe that's been going around these days, this is as good as it gets.
Track Listing
1. Ain't Fit to Live Here
2. No Good, Mr. Holden
3. Hisingen Blues
4. Uncomfortably Numb
5. Buying Truth (Tack & Förlåt)
6. Longing
7. Ungrateful are the Dead
8. RSS
9. The Siren
10. Cooking Brew (Bonus)