Band: Gràb
Album: Kremess
Genre: Atmospheric /Post Black Metal
Country Germany
Label: Prophecy Productions
Released: February 21st, 2025
Introduction
This year, we saw the much-anticipated return of German black metal band Gràb. Their 2021 release Zeitlang left a solid impression with the band’s take on classic second-wave sounds. Their new release, Kremess, sees the band return to the Bavarian mountainside with a shrieking howl from the cold winter winds.
Kremess
Tracklist:
- Dà letzte Winter
- Waidler
- Kremess
- Kerkermoasta
- I’m Hexnhoiz (A Weihraz-Gschicht, Kapitel Oans)
- Vom Gråb im Moos (A Weihraz-Gschicht, Kapitel Zwoa)
- Deifeszeig
- Waldeinsamkeit
Rumination
With this release, Gràb mixes the old and new, blending the evil symphonic atmosphere of acts like Gehenna or Abigor with the cold, depressing vibe of bands like Wedard.
I have to admit, the first two minutes of this album felt pretty “eh” to me, as it really requires great effort to make something that has been done so many times over feel fresh and exciting. But by the time you get to track 3, Kerkermoasta, you’re basically hooked, and there’s no way you’re doing anything but finishing the rest of the album that day.
This record just oozes vibe and atmosphere. Honestly, it’s such an amazingly well-refined album. The riffs are all sick from start to finish—perfect execution of evil atmospheric riff writing. The gurgling growls are perfectly bleak. The biggest thing for me, though, has to be all the dulcimers, acoustic guitars, and choirs. It is so easy in a second-wave style album for these elements to ruin the atmosphere, but Gràb somehow manages to do the seemingly impossible and incorporate these sounds, making the album a hundred times better and creepier. The demonic laughing witches on track 4, with the violins and acoustics, are a perfect example.
As a personal aside, one thing the band does that I have to commend them for is their use of the dulcimer. There are a few other bands (I won’t name names) that honestly try way too hard to impress with their use of folk instruments (“Look at me, I’m using an old-timey instrument, isn’t that so cool, guys?? PLEASE LEAVE ME A GOOD SCORE ON R.Y.M GUYS PLZ”), and I’ve always found it deeply cringe-worthy. With Gràb, though, it never feels contrived or meme-y. It always feels true to what they’re trying to do, which is emanating the cold, unforgiving atmosphere of the Bavarian hills.
The only way I can describe what this band does is like adapting a classic horror film (take the new Nosferatu film, for example). This is a band that deeply understands and loves this sound, and has set out to bring the terror and dread you would have felt the first time you heard German black metal in the ’90s. While giving new fans that same unique brand of evil but with 2025 level style slick production—like an ancient echo of death returning throughout the advances of time to return us all to the void all again and again forever.
Conclusion
In the four years between releases, Gràb has clearly bunkered down to refine what made their last album so good, and every risk they’ve taken to improve on their sound has paid off big time.
There’s not much else to say here— as far as second-wave style albums go, this is easily going to be one of the best to come out this year.
BMZ rating: 8 – Very Good: An impressive album that rises above many others. It features innovative ideas, captivating lyrics, or excellent musicianship that makes it stand out.
Support Gràb here: https://grab.bandcamp.com/album/kremess
Your thoughts on Gràb — Kremess
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