Adorned Graves is a Thrash Metal band from Germany that infuses Thrash with Melodic Metal and Doom subtleties. The band originally began forming in 1993 under the name 'Ascension' which was founded by brothers Cailen & Deafon Graever. 'Ascension' went on to play some very small live shows throughout Germany at various venues. Then in 1998 the band changed their name to 'Adorned Graves' and began work on new material. When asked how the band was formed Cailen Graever responded: "It was me and my brother Deafon. We always jammed together at home. We loved old school Metal and the early releases of bands like Deliverance, Tourniquet, Betrayal, Seventh Angel, Vengeance Rising, Believer...During 1993 or 1994 it seemed that the music we loved was fading away. So, we started playing the kind of music we loved by ourselves. We came up with our new name 'Adorned Graves' and we both wrote the song "Adorned Graves" all together - me the lyrics and riffs - my brother the refrain and the rest."
The band's moniker holds a double meaning. The first is that people who believe like the Pharisees, where they teach that salvation is of the law or by works, they are Adorned Graves. This is because they are trying to present themselves spiritually pure on the outside or adorn themselves when they are spiritually dead on the inside. The second meaning is for those who have washed in the blood of Jesus Christ through faith. You were once dead but are now made alive through faith in Jesus and receiving His seal in your heart.
In 1998, just after their conception, Cailen & Deafon brought on guitarist-Andreas Wormser and bassist-Dewwel to complete their line-up. Adorned Graves then recorded and released an independent 6-track Demo titled 'Demo '98'. After their demo, fans would have to wait another 17 years before they would hear from the band again. It was then in 2015 that Adorned Graves moved forward and recorded new material. The band released a 4-track EP titled 'The Hand Of Death' on an indie label. The line-up was comprised of Cailen(vocals, guitars), Deafon(drums, vocals), Wormser(guitars), and Dewwel(bass). The track-list for 'The Hand Of Death' included 1.Adorned Graves 2.Hand of Death 3.Fightgrinder 4.Accuser(Saint cover).
In 2017 Adorned Graves showed the Metal community that they were here to stay when they released their highly acclaimed full-length debut album titled 'Out From The Depth Of The Grave'. This released received rave reviews from around the world ensuring that the band would have a solid placement in the Metal realm for the foreseeable future. The album's lyrics are based around a water world where they deal with life, death, new life, and resurrection. The story line is based on Old Testament imagery written in the book of Jonah. The line-up was comprised of Cailen(vocals,guitars), Deafon(drums,vocals), Wormser(guitars), and Dewwel(bass). The track-list for 'OFTDOTG' included 1.Out Of The Deep 2.Opus One 3.Primal Ocean 4.Hydrophis Archaios 5.Psalm 88 Intro 6.Psalm 88 7.Invocation Of Liwija 8.Gorge Of Liwija 9.Salvation Of The Sea 10.Adorned Graves 11.Source Of Life.
In 2020 Adorned Graves released their follow-up sophomore album titled 'Being Towards A River'. This release found the band straying away from their solid faith-based lyrics of their debut to produce a more secular album. The roster for this album was comprised of Cailen Leif Graever(vocals, rhythm guitars, bass), Deafon Graever(drums, vocals), Andreas Wormser(lead guitars, bass). Some additional guest-musicians were brought on including Dale Thompson(Bride) vocals on “Panta Rhei”, “Effervescent Torrent” and “Rheingold”, Ruth Börner Staub vocals on “Towards a River”, and Herbie Langhans(Seventh Avenue, Sinbreed) vocals on “United Reliance”, “Towards a River” and “Rheingold”. The track-list for 'Being Towards A River' included 1.Swallet Hole
2.Killing Shadows Black 3.Effervescent Torrent 4.Panta Rhei 5.Meandering Stream 6.United Reliance 7.Rheingold
8.Towards A River.
The band's moniker holds a double meaning. The first is that people who believe like the Pharisees, where they teach that salvation is of the law or by works, they are Adorned Graves. This is because they are trying to present themselves spiritually pure on the outside or adorn themselves when they are spiritually dead on the inside. The second meaning is for those who have washed in the blood of Jesus Christ through faith. You were once dead but are now made alive through faith in Jesus and receiving His seal in your heart.
In 1998, just after their conception, Cailen & Deafon brought on guitarist-Andreas Wormser and bassist-Dewwel to complete their line-up. Adorned Graves then recorded and released an independent 6-track Demo titled 'Demo '98'. After their demo, fans would have to wait another 17 years before they would hear from the band again. It was then in 2015 that Adorned Graves moved forward and recorded new material. The band released a 4-track EP titled 'The Hand Of Death' on an indie label. The line-up was comprised of Cailen(vocals, guitars), Deafon(drums, vocals), Wormser(guitars), and Dewwel(bass). The track-list for 'The Hand Of Death' included 1.Adorned Graves 2.Hand of Death 3.Fightgrinder 4.Accuser(Saint cover).
In 2017 Adorned Graves showed the Metal community that they were here to stay when they released their highly acclaimed full-length debut album titled 'Out From The Depth Of The Grave'. This released received rave reviews from around the world ensuring that the band would have a solid placement in the Metal realm for the foreseeable future. The album's lyrics are based around a water world where they deal with life, death, new life, and resurrection. The story line is based on Old Testament imagery written in the book of Jonah. The line-up was comprised of Cailen(vocals,guitars), Deafon(drums,vocals), Wormser(guitars), and Dewwel(bass). The track-list for 'OFTDOTG' included 1.Out Of The Deep 2.Opus One 3.Primal Ocean 4.Hydrophis Archaios 5.Psalm 88 Intro 6.Psalm 88 7.Invocation Of Liwija 8.Gorge Of Liwija 9.Salvation Of The Sea 10.Adorned Graves 11.Source Of Life.
In 2020 Adorned Graves released their follow-up sophomore album titled 'Being Towards A River'. This release found the band straying away from their solid faith-based lyrics of their debut to produce a more secular album. The roster for this album was comprised of Cailen Leif Graever(vocals, rhythm guitars, bass), Deafon Graever(drums, vocals), Andreas Wormser(lead guitars, bass). Some additional guest-musicians were brought on including Dale Thompson(Bride) vocals on “Panta Rhei”, “Effervescent Torrent” and “Rheingold”, Ruth Börner Staub vocals on “Towards a River”, and Herbie Langhans(Seventh Avenue, Sinbreed) vocals on “United Reliance”, “Towards a River” and “Rheingold”. The track-list for 'Being Towards A River' included 1.Swallet Hole
2.Killing Shadows Black 3.Effervescent Torrent 4.Panta Rhei 5.Meandering Stream 6.United Reliance 7.Rheingold
8.Towards A River.
2023
In 2023 Adorned Graves released their 3rd full-length studio album titled 'The Earth Hath Opened Her Mouth' on an indie label. This is a very limited edition with only 150 physical copies of the album being produced.
Sorry guys, there's no skippers to report on this album except for maybe track-3 where we don't find the track or any music to listen to. However, "The Lost Track" just might be found tucked away and hidden within track-12. With this release, the band does an incredible job of mixing things up. They are found employing everything from Thrash to Speed Metal to Power Metal to Heavy Metal to Doom and mixing in some extreme Metal techniques along the way. In 2017 the band took the listener on a journey into a water world with their 'Out From The Depth Of The Grave' release. However, on 'The Earth Hath Opened her Mouth' we find a new tale to tell. A pilgrimage through land, valleys, rifts, and beautiful landscapes. Leaving the world of water, pilgrims find themselves wandering new earthly paths filled with peril.
Cailen sheds some light on the album's cover-art and the meaning behind it: "I took a photo inside an old church in Switzerland (build between 1100 and 1500). It showed the risen Christ in a pose of victory, holding the instruments of torture in his hands that were used before and during crucifixion. He is risen, he is alive. The second picture I used was that of a skull. It can be used as a symbol for death or the place Jesus was crucified (Golgotha). I put them together and edited the result. I think it fits perfectly to the lyrics of songs like "Son of Soil" or "Epitaph II". I think the result looks also very quaint or ancient to me. People can contemplate or look at the cover and think about the meaning and what it means for their lives by themselves."
Sorry guys, there's no skippers to report on this album except for maybe track-3 where we don't find the track or any music to listen to. However, "The Lost Track" just might be found tucked away and hidden within track-12. With this release, the band does an incredible job of mixing things up. They are found employing everything from Thrash to Speed Metal to Power Metal to Heavy Metal to Doom and mixing in some extreme Metal techniques along the way. In 2017 the band took the listener on a journey into a water world with their 'Out From The Depth Of The Grave' release. However, on 'The Earth Hath Opened her Mouth' we find a new tale to tell. A pilgrimage through land, valleys, rifts, and beautiful landscapes. Leaving the world of water, pilgrims find themselves wandering new earthly paths filled with peril.
Cailen sheds some light on the album's cover-art and the meaning behind it: "I took a photo inside an old church in Switzerland (build between 1100 and 1500). It showed the risen Christ in a pose of victory, holding the instruments of torture in his hands that were used before and during crucifixion. He is risen, he is alive. The second picture I used was that of a skull. It can be used as a symbol for death or the place Jesus was crucified (Golgotha). I put them together and edited the result. I think it fits perfectly to the lyrics of songs like "Son of Soil" or "Epitaph II". I think the result looks also very quaint or ancient to me. People can contemplate or look at the cover and think about the meaning and what it means for their lives by themselves."
For their latest album, Adorned Graves brought on a number of guest-vocalists to handle each consecutive track. On the band's track-list, it has been noted to which vocalist performs on the track. The track-list includes 1.Intro Epitaph I - Ruth Börner-Staub(Soulburner) 2.Pilgrims Path - Herbie Langhans(Firewind, Radiant) 3.Progenitors - Kobi Farhi(Orphaned Land) 4.Valley Of Achor - Dale Thompson(Bride) 5.Son Of Soil - Deafon Graever(Adorned Graves) 6.Beyond The Silence - John Cuijpers(Arjen Lucassen, Praying Mantis, GB) 7.On A White Pale Hill - Simon Bibby(Seventh Angel, Thy Listless Heart, GB) 8.Wind Over Glen (Instrumental) 9.Vaults And Caverns - Chris Ackerman(Betrayal, Martyr) 10.Lord Of The Stone - Jordan Cutajar(Nomad Son, Rainforce) 11.Outro Epitaph II - Colin Hendra(Wytch Hazel, GB).
The core line-up for 'The Earth Hath Opened Her Mouth' is comprised of Cailen Leif Graever(rhythm guitars, vocals), Deafon Graever(drums & vocals), Andreas Wormser(lead guitars), and Lupus Veruta on Bass.
The core line-up for 'The Earth Hath Opened Her Mouth' is comprised of Cailen Leif Graever(rhythm guitars, vocals), Deafon Graever(drums & vocals), Andreas Wormser(lead guitars), and Lupus Veruta on Bass.
Andreas Wormser handles lead guitars for the band while Cailen Graever manages rhythm guitars. The shred varies from beginning alowing the listener to see the skill of two well-seasoned guitarists. Wormser & Cailen light up the atmosphere throughout with plenty of face melting Thrash, Doom, Power Metal, and Melodic Heavy Metal guitar play.
Lyrics take the listener on an adventure through scriptures of the Old and New Testament on
a journey where pilgrims can find the ultimate hope as one can see in the following excerpts:
a journey where pilgrims can find the ultimate hope as one can see in the following excerpts:
"Epitaph I"
We are all pilgrims who travel their path
We belong to heaven but return to dust
Looking for someone to guide our way
Looking for fortunes plan
Looking for someone to guide our way
Looking for someone to abide
Lonesome we wander at the end of our days
Through fields of sorrow and fields of grace
When the day is spent and the skies ablaze
For we have here no lasting home
For we have here no lasting home
Oh with us abide
Oh with us abide
On the road to night love is alive
Lord with us abide
"Progenitors"
I'd like to invite you to my desert tent
It ́s cold outside the fire burns from clothes remove the sand
Take a cup of tea nearby the fire
And watch the stars above in our sky
I want to tell those stories of old
The tales my forefathers have told throughout generations that were born
Listen to the desert storm!!!
I'd like to find some rest in barren lands
It ́s dark outside the fire burns beside your nomad tend
As I take a cup of tea it is my desire to listen to the tales of the grandsires!
I want you to tell these lores of gold
The tales the forefathers have told throughout generations that were born
We are listening to the desert storm!!!
In times of godsons and of the giants
Lived a man in true presence of God
Noah the righteous and confident cares
A ship build in wastelands survival of life
"Son of Soil"
Considering what has been taught and see the open door
As the son is listening to His Father's word
Wherever you are wandering, He is waiting for you
Through the Son there's only gain, He is Adam two
"Lord of the Stone"
there I saw him sitting on an unhewn ashlar
in the shadows at the last one of my days
his gentle shape it was dressed in linen
and a noble look it was upon his face
And this he said:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden
And I will give you rest
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me
For I am gentle and lowly in heart
And you will find rest for your souls
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth
"Epitaph II"
The voice of him which cries in the wilderness
Prepare ye the way of the LORD
make a straight road in the desert for our God
who has held the waters in the palm of his hand
He measures out the heavens with his hands
and comprehends the weight of the earth
Who else can know the weight of the mountains and the hills on a scale?
He giveth power to the faint
and to them that have no might he increaseth strength
Even the youths shall faint and be weary
they will fall down exhausted
We are all pilgrims who travel their path
We belong to heaven but return to dust
Looking for someone to guide our way
Looking for fortunes plan
Looking for someone to guide our way
Looking for someone to abide
Lonesome we wander at the end of our days
Through fields of sorrow and fields of grace
When the day is spent and the skies ablaze
For we have here no lasting home
For we have here no lasting home
Oh with us abide
Oh with us abide
On the road to night love is alive
Lord with us abide
"Progenitors"
I'd like to invite you to my desert tent
It ́s cold outside the fire burns from clothes remove the sand
Take a cup of tea nearby the fire
And watch the stars above in our sky
I want to tell those stories of old
The tales my forefathers have told throughout generations that were born
Listen to the desert storm!!!
I'd like to find some rest in barren lands
It ́s dark outside the fire burns beside your nomad tend
As I take a cup of tea it is my desire to listen to the tales of the grandsires!
I want you to tell these lores of gold
The tales the forefathers have told throughout generations that were born
We are listening to the desert storm!!!
In times of godsons and of the giants
Lived a man in true presence of God
Noah the righteous and confident cares
A ship build in wastelands survival of life
"Son of Soil"
Considering what has been taught and see the open door
As the son is listening to His Father's word
Wherever you are wandering, He is waiting for you
Through the Son there's only gain, He is Adam two
"Lord of the Stone"
there I saw him sitting on an unhewn ashlar
in the shadows at the last one of my days
his gentle shape it was dressed in linen
and a noble look it was upon his face
And this he said:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden
And I will give you rest
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me
For I am gentle and lowly in heart
And you will find rest for your souls
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth
"Epitaph II"
The voice of him which cries in the wilderness
Prepare ye the way of the LORD
make a straight road in the desert for our God
who has held the waters in the palm of his hand
He measures out the heavens with his hands
and comprehends the weight of the earth
Who else can know the weight of the mountains and the hills on a scale?
He giveth power to the faint
and to them that have no might he increaseth strength
Even the youths shall faint and be weary
they will fall down exhausted
(See Site Info for Sword Scale meaning)
If you are into old-school Thrash bands like Tourniquet, Mad Dragzter, or Supresion then you are going to love what Adorned Graves has brought to the table with 'The Earth Hath Opened Her Mouth'. Help support Christian Metal music and Adorned Graves by procuring your copy of their latest 2023 release today!
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Cailen Leif Graever - Rhythm Guitars, Vocals
Deafon Graever - Drums & Vocals on "Son of Soil"
Andreas Wormser - Lead Guitars
Lupus Veruta - Bass
Guest Vocalists:
Ruth Börner-Staub(Soulburner) - Vocals on "Intro Epitaph I"
Herbie Langhans(Seventh Avenue, Firewind, Radiant) - Vocals on "Pilgrims Path"
Kobi Farhi(Orphaned Land) - Vocals on "Progenitors"
Dale Thompson(Bride) - Vocals on "Valley Of Achor"
John Cuijpers(Arjen Lucassen, Praying Mantis, GB) - Vocals on "Beyond The Silence"
Simon Bibby(Seventh Angel, Thy Listless Heart, GB) - Vocals on "On A White Pale Hill"/BGVs by Cailen
Chris Ackerman(Betrayal, Martyr) - Vocals on "Vaults And Caverns"
Jordan Cutajar(Nomad Son, Rainforce) - Vocals on "Lord Of The Stone"
Colin Hendra(Wytch Hazel, GB) - Vocals on "Outro Epitaph II"
Cailen Leif Graever - Rhythm Guitars, Vocals
Deafon Graever - Drums & Vocals on "Son of Soil"
Andreas Wormser - Lead Guitars
Lupus Veruta - Bass
Guest Vocalists:
Ruth Börner-Staub(Soulburner) - Vocals on "Intro Epitaph I"
Herbie Langhans(Seventh Avenue, Firewind, Radiant) - Vocals on "Pilgrims Path"
Kobi Farhi(Orphaned Land) - Vocals on "Progenitors"
Dale Thompson(Bride) - Vocals on "Valley Of Achor"
John Cuijpers(Arjen Lucassen, Praying Mantis, GB) - Vocals on "Beyond The Silence"
Simon Bibby(Seventh Angel, Thy Listless Heart, GB) - Vocals on "On A White Pale Hill"/BGVs by Cailen
Chris Ackerman(Betrayal, Martyr) - Vocals on "Vaults And Caverns"
Jordan Cutajar(Nomad Son, Rainforce) - Vocals on "Lord Of The Stone"
Colin Hendra(Wytch Hazel, GB) - Vocals on "Outro Epitaph II"
