Gravetaker is a Finnish duo from Oulu, and ‘Sheer Lunacy’ is their first demo. Although it was released last year, it does not feel like a quick first attempt thrown together in a hurry. According to the information available, this material was several years in the making, and that can be heard in the way the band manages to sound primitive, chaotic and, at the same time, quite defined in its own madness. It was released on CD by Urealis-Tuotanto and on vinyl by Iron Bonehead Productions.
Musically, ‘Sheer Lunacy’ moves through a dirty area where Death Metal, Black Metal, old Thrash and a very primitive attitude still seem to coexist without too many clear borders. The production is raw, but not weak. The guitars have a rusty and cutting sound, the bass rumbles with a strong presence, and the drums push everything forward with an almost uncontrolled violence. The vocals sound possessed, closer to a rabid invocation than to an overly calculated performance. All of this gives the recording an archaic and dangerous feeling, as if the band were playing on the edge of collapse, but without ever completely losing control.
One of Gravetaker’s strongest points is that they do not simply sound like another band trying to imitate old Black/Death Metal. References may come to mind, such as Katharsis, Necrovore, Sadistic Intent, the more Death Metal-oriented era of Darkthrone, Repugnant or even something from the more twisted spirit of Obliteration. However, those comparisons only work as a general orientation. ‘Sheer Lunacy’ has a personality of its own, especially in the way it mixes aggression, twisted riffs, sepulchral atmosphere and a metallic foundation that reminds you that before Death and Black Metal there was also Heavy Metal, Speed Metal and Thrash.
The demo contains five tracks and does not feel short or incomplete. There are moments of absolute violence, but also calmer and darker passages that allow the tension to rebuild before the band attacks again. These breathers do not weaken the material; on the contrary, they help the more chaotic parts hit with greater impact. At certain moments, especially because of the bass work and that cavernous atmosphere, the material recalls that old tradition of darker and more primitive Death Metal, where dirt, tension and violence matter more than technical precision.
What makes it interesting is that Gravetaker manages to sound ancient without feeling like a nostalgic copy. The demo has a loose, wild and undomesticated energy, but at the same time the songs have enough identity to avoid turning into pure noise. The riffs are direct when they need to be, but they also have that twisted character that keeps the material uncomfortable. This is not technical Death Metal, nor modern Black/Death Metal with a huge production. This is ugly, violent, rusty and deeply underground extreme Metal.
Of course, ‘Sheer Lunacy’ will not be for everyone. Its raw sound, chaotic approach and lack of polish may drive away those looking for a cleaner production or a more traditional structure. But it would be unfair to judge this work by those standards. The strength of this demo lies precisely in its wild character, in that feeling that music can still sound dangerous, demented and completely uninterested in pleasing anyone.
In the end, ‘Sheer Lunacy’ is a very solid first statement. Gravetaker do not reinvent Black/Death Metal, but they achieve something more important: they sound genuinely rabid, primitive and possessed. There are many bands trying to sound old; few manage to transmit that violence with such naturalness. This demo has dirt, riffs, atmosphere and a madness that feels real. For those who miss Death/Black Metal sounding truly wild, unruly and violent, Gravetaker is definitely a band worth keeping an eye on.
