Grave Declaration is a Symphonic UnBlack/Death Metal band from Norway. Black Metal is an extreme subgenre of Heavy Metal music. According to Wikipedia, Black Metal often incorporates fast tempos, a shrieking vocal style, heavily distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, raw recording, unconventional song structures, and a strong emphasis on atmosphere. During the 1980s, several Thrash and Death Metal bands formed a prototype for Black Metal. This "first wave" included bands like Venom, Bathory, Mercyful Fate, and Celtic Frost. A second wave arose in the early 1990's, spearheaded by Norwegian bands such as Mayhem, Darkthrone, Burzum, Immortal, Emperor, Satyricon, and Gorgoroth.
UnBlack Metal is the genre label often used in the Christian Metal realm in place of Black Metal which is used in the secular realm. Secular Black Metal bands normally have very dark satanic lyrics and oppose anything having to do with Christianity. However, Christian UnBlack Metal bands bring light into the darkness - hence the name UnBlack. With their Christ centered lyrics, UnBlack Metal bands give honor and glory the name of Jesus Christ.
UnBlack Metal is the genre label often used in the Christian Metal realm in place of Black Metal which is used in the secular realm. Secular Black Metal bands normally have very dark satanic lyrics and oppose anything having to do with Christianity. However, Christian UnBlack Metal bands bring light into the darkness - hence the name UnBlack. With their Christ centered lyrics, UnBlack Metal bands give honor and glory the name of Jesus Christ.
In 2008 Grave Declaration released their debut 4-track EP titled 'The Nightshift Worshiper' on Momentum Scandinavia Records. The EP was recorded in Norway at YWAM Ålesund Studio. The line-up was comprised of lead vocalist/guitarist/bassist/drums programmer-Thor Georg Buer(Antestor), along with guest musicians: guitarist/vocals-Byron Eggehorn, and Eivind Haugstad adding some additional vocals. This was a solid debut release which garnered the band recognition & hope for a future full-length release amongst fans of the genre.
After the release of their debut, Grave Declaration began work on material for a follow-up project...
After the release of their debut, Grave Declaration began work on material for a follow-up project...
In 2013 Grave Declaration released their full-length studio album titled 'When Dying Souls Scream Praise' on Bombworks Records. 'WDSSP' is a concept album which carries the theme of praise within the lyrics throughout the album. This project was produced in house by Thor Georg Buer & recorded in Thor's Attic and Ronny's Basement. The recording was mixed & mastered by Erik Tordsson at Solid Mix Studios. The album's epic cover art was done by former member & colleague of the band Eivind Haugstad.
Grave Declaration's sound has an Epic Symphonic UnBlack/Death Metal sound from track to track. This release delivers up everything from Extreme Metal guitar techniques to Symphonic touches to Piano play to Power Metal riffs to Thrash to punishing blast beats.
Grave Declaration's sound has an Epic Symphonic UnBlack/Death Metal sound from track to track. This release delivers up everything from Extreme Metal guitar techniques to Symphonic touches to Piano play to Power Metal riffs to Thrash to punishing blast beats.
There are a couple of tracks that we need to briefly discuss. The first is track-12 which was originally written by a man named Sigurd Lunde. Sigurd Lunde is a Norwegian who was born back in 1916 and lived all the way up to 2006. One of the things he is known for is that he wrote music and lyrics to hymns and psalms. One of his songs was an operatic hymn featuring the piano called "Jeg er frelst! Å, for en nåde". This song can be found on Sigurd Lunde's 2001 album titled 'Salmer Og Sanger'. Grave Declaration was given permission by Lunde's family to do a cover of Sigurd's song. Grave Declaration's cover of this song features a much heavier UnBlackened version of this incredible hymn and still features some piano in honor of the original version.
The other track to discuss is track-3 "Fall Down". This is an experimental tune that delves into the Industrial music scene from the 90's. The song opens with a 1 and 1/2-min Industrial style intro with the sounds continuing in the arrangements to the end of the song.
The other track to discuss is track-3 "Fall Down". This is an experimental tune that delves into the Industrial music scene from the 90's. The song opens with a 1 and 1/2-min Industrial style intro with the sounds continuing in the arrangements to the end of the song.
A notable difference between the band's debut and this sophomore project is mostly found in frontman-Thor Georg Buer's vocal delivery. The band has made a significant adjustment while recording this 2013 release resulting in the vocals sounding less guttural on this project.
All tracks are sung in English except tracks 4 & 12 which are both sung in Norwegian.
The lyrics are overtly Christ Centered as one can see in the following excerpts:
The lyrics are overtly Christ Centered as one can see in the following excerpts:
"Reach For The Sky"
Praises of Your greatness I scream from my heart
Holy is Your name and forever You reign
Mercy, oh mercy, Lord pour out Your mercy on me,
'Cos I'm weak in myself. Oh, wisdom come teach me,
Oh grace come and bear me, come strengthen
The core of my soul
"Silence"
Head bowed down and knees rooted to the
Ground while my hands are lifted towards the
Throne of the Holy One. I embraced this
Silent relation between man and God where
Heart reaches heart and we speak without words,
Where I forget all that is painful and hurts. And I
Dwell in the house of the highest of Gods, where
I'm always welcomes simply 'cos I am His son
"Hardest Rocking God Of All Time"
Blessing to the throne of compassion
And mercy and hope. Our heart scream
Of your faithfulness everlasting. For we
Are ones whose voices were hushed. Yet
We line up with the angels in order to
Forever sing praise to Your Name
He is the One that turns the storm
To quest sea. He's the One who feeds
Thousands some bread and
Tiny fish. He's so strong and so might
And His Spirit lives in me. We are on,
We are unified, so His strength
Recharges me. Whatever my needs are,
He has thought of them first
And He guides my every step to
Lands where I will never thirst
And wherever I'm heading,
I can feel his presence near, 'cos
He promised me long time ago,
"I will never leave, I swear"
Jesus, Your love for mankind blows
My mind. Oh, Saviour, in my own
Words I'll say you're the hardest
Rocking God of all time
"In The Throne Room"
We come in through the gates
And await the arrival of the King
And though I'm afraid, there is something
That tells me there is nothing here to fear
Doors fly open and light comes in
Now I wait to see if that's Him
Jesus Christ, Mr. King of Kings
I'm here to offer Thanksgiving
(Nails, hands, blood ran, sins gone, white as snow)
With the number of days
I've been given I will praise
Your Name and Scream it loud
Everyone will hear shout
About a mercy so true
And how life is at hand if we
Only turn to you
"Ærefrykt" (Awe)
(Excerpt lyrics have been translated from Norwegian to English)
Very much, my heart cries holy
Yes, holy, you are almighty god
My soul so honored to know you my lord
"Jeg Er Frelst, Å For En Nåde" (I Am Saved, Oh What A Mercy)
(Excerpt lyrics have been translated from Norwegian to English)
I'm saved, oh what a mercy!
Grace over grace
I'm saved, Oh what a ride!
Grace over grace
Imagine all my sin Jesus has atoned!
For his bride, He has me crowned
I'm saved, oh what a mercy!
Grace over grace
God be allowed, soon I'll be home!
Grace over grace
The song of the lamb I shall voice
Grace over grace
Thank you, Jesus
Praises of Your greatness I scream from my heart
Holy is Your name and forever You reign
Mercy, oh mercy, Lord pour out Your mercy on me,
'Cos I'm weak in myself. Oh, wisdom come teach me,
Oh grace come and bear me, come strengthen
The core of my soul
"Silence"
Head bowed down and knees rooted to the
Ground while my hands are lifted towards the
Throne of the Holy One. I embraced this
Silent relation between man and God where
Heart reaches heart and we speak without words,
Where I forget all that is painful and hurts. And I
Dwell in the house of the highest of Gods, where
I'm always welcomes simply 'cos I am His son
"Hardest Rocking God Of All Time"
Blessing to the throne of compassion
And mercy and hope. Our heart scream
Of your faithfulness everlasting. For we
Are ones whose voices were hushed. Yet
We line up with the angels in order to
Forever sing praise to Your Name
He is the One that turns the storm
To quest sea. He's the One who feeds
Thousands some bread and
Tiny fish. He's so strong and so might
And His Spirit lives in me. We are on,
We are unified, so His strength
Recharges me. Whatever my needs are,
He has thought of them first
And He guides my every step to
Lands where I will never thirst
And wherever I'm heading,
I can feel his presence near, 'cos
He promised me long time ago,
"I will never leave, I swear"
Jesus, Your love for mankind blows
My mind. Oh, Saviour, in my own
Words I'll say you're the hardest
Rocking God of all time
"In The Throne Room"
We come in through the gates
And await the arrival of the King
And though I'm afraid, there is something
That tells me there is nothing here to fear
Doors fly open and light comes in
Now I wait to see if that's Him
Jesus Christ, Mr. King of Kings
I'm here to offer Thanksgiving
(Nails, hands, blood ran, sins gone, white as snow)
With the number of days
I've been given I will praise
Your Name and Scream it loud
Everyone will hear shout
About a mercy so true
And how life is at hand if we
Only turn to you
"Ærefrykt" (Awe)
(Excerpt lyrics have been translated from Norwegian to English)
Very much, my heart cries holy
Yes, holy, you are almighty god
My soul so honored to know you my lord
"Jeg Er Frelst, Å For En Nåde" (I Am Saved, Oh What A Mercy)
(Excerpt lyrics have been translated from Norwegian to English)
I'm saved, oh what a mercy!
Grace over grace
I'm saved, Oh what a ride!
Grace over grace
Imagine all my sin Jesus has atoned!
For his bride, He has me crowned
I'm saved, oh what a mercy!
Grace over grace
God be allowed, soon I'll be home!
Grace over grace
The song of the lamb I shall voice
Grace over grace
Thank you, Jesus
Grave Declaration is for fans of Hilastherion, Antestor, Children Of Wrath, Holy Blood, and Firegate. If you are looking for some extreme music to add to your Metal collection then check out what Grave Declaration has delivered up with their 2013 album 'When Dying Souls Scream Praise'.
Musicians:
Thor Georg Buer(Antestor) - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Drums Programmer
Kristian Larsen - Guitars
Pål Haugland - Bass
Guest Musicians:
Robert Bordevik - Guitar Solos on (tracks: 3, 4, 5)
Heidi Rype - Piano
Nickolas Main Henriksen - Piano
Morten Søbyskogen - Clean Vocals on (tracks: 2, 7)
Ronny Hansen - Vocals on (track: 1)
Thor Georg Buer(Antestor) - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Drums Programmer
Kristian Larsen - Guitars
Pål Haugland - Bass
Guest Musicians:
Robert Bordevik - Guitar Solos on (tracks: 3, 4, 5)
Heidi Rype - Piano
Nickolas Main Henriksen - Piano
Morten Søbyskogen - Clean Vocals on (tracks: 2, 7)
Ronny Hansen - Vocals on (track: 1)