Liquid Graveyard | ‘On Evil Days’

I must have listened to this cd twenty times or more, and it’s only just gone January. Liquid Graveyard are doing something different. As with their impressive demo, this full length debut is compulsive, full and most importantly, fresh. It’s dark metal done with distinction.

They really have taken elements from several cool and leftfield underground inspirations to do something that to these ears is quite unique.

It’s hard not to reiterate the standout point highlighted by that cool demo from a while back - the similarity they bear to the totally underrated and above awesome Dominion (UK). They’ve got the same death metal backbone (courtesy of guitarist John Walker ex Cancer), but add the vocal rasping and high range of Atrox, Opera IX and even the better moments from Alas.

Chordally, they’re brilliant. Walker’s riffs seem to come from the Voivod school rather than anything definitively brutish. They’re more intelligent, well phrased and nicely toned.

Add that to the punching drums and bass (Adrian Butler formerly of Mourning Beloveth et al), and you’ve got some real movement. More references to olde UK death metal abound - there are moments when Ebony Lake are recalled as well.

An Orwellian theme permeates. The album is shot through with quotes and references to ‘1984′. Then again, another date provides one of the album’s highlights in the form of ‘1760′. It’s a winning track that shows all their strengths - warm yet unsafe chords, a pumping drum performance, great icy growling and the one other ace they have up their sleeve: the ability to actually rock.

Even in the midst of darkness, they’re not afraid to  enjoy this music.  It’s yet another theme that unites them with Atrox - the sense of playfulness that is at times apparent.

Make no mistake though, it’s fine undreground metal. Liquid Graveyard have something that counts for a hell of a lot: individualism. It’s a rare quality, and a valuable one. So reward their creativity, and pick up this satisfying, if not yet entirely developed record. We havent heard their best yet, super though this is.

3.8 / 5 - Ciaran Tracey ::: 01/02/10