Graveland – Hour Of Ragnarok (2021)

July 1, 2024

I initially didn’t like Hour Of Ragnarok. I found the overall sound to be a bit weirdly “modern” for Graveland, but over the last few weeks it has really grown on me. Until I became familiar with the individual songs, I could have sworn to you that this thing loops over. This is because of the no doubt intentional over-usage of a certain violin / cello style keyboard patch file (I don’t think it’s a real instrument at least) which soars similarily through most if not all of these songs, acting almost like some sort of unifying leitmotif. The presence of real drumming is also a welcome change after years of programming (not that I dislike this approach). Hour Of Ragnorok feels like the first Graveland record in a very long time that wasn’t just a Rob Darken solo album. I can feel the power of the full band and I’m here for it.

Please sir, can I have some more?