Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Graveworm
Title
[N]Utopia
Type
LP/EP
Company
Nuclear Blast
YOR
2005
Style
Death
7/7/2005 - Review by: Troy Cole
Graveworm – [N]Utopia – Nuclear Blast 2005

Track Listing

1.I-The Machine
2.[N]Utopia
3.Hateful Design
4.Never Enough
5.Timeless
6.Which Way
7.Deep Inside
8.Outside Down
9.MCMXCII
Another brilliant offering in the gothic Death/Black Metal realm for 2005 comes to us from the highly talented GRAVEWORM. Polishing up their style and sound even more than the sharpness evident on 'Engraved In Black' from 2003. Brutal, melodic, and blistering come to mind when listening to this release. These elements are combined here at the best I've heard all year and especially for this band. Previous albums (5 in total) lacked overall continuity but here the flow and atmosphere are spectacular making this album explode from beginning to end.

Graveworm exude certain uniqueness but they are not completely original in sound or style but make up for this in quality. Lead off track 'I-The Machine' is very similar to CRADLE OF FILTH without all the high vocals. So your first impression maybe that they have ripped off C.O.F. but the other tracks do not really share that vibe. The melody and riffs contained within this little disc are phenomenal songs like 'Hateful Design' and 'Never Enough' just reach out and grab you by the throat. Slower pieces such as the title track and 'Timeless' (what a haunting keyboard line!) possess a hook not usually common in death metal. They are two of my favs off this disc. Assaulting riffs from Lukas Flarer and Eric Righi and the intense pummeling from drummer Mortiz Neuner make this album just totally rock. Nevertheless the overall integrity is held together by the vocal power and presence of Stefano Fiori, truly amazing. His near death vocals and black metal screams mesh perfectly with the melodic atmosphere and dark corridors provided by the rest of this powerhouse. Not to mention the sound is kept crisp with all the little nuances brought forth by producer Andy Classen (Dew-Scented, Krisiun, Rotting Christ).

This Italian 6 piece has made their best and most mature outing yet and are primed to continue on with the veteran skill and ability they now possess. Bask in the limelight for now but you will have to rise and produce big next time to top this offering, and honestly I can't wait to hear the result. Another must have!!


-1evil1



  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    N/A :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: GRAVEWORM
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
[N]Utopia
2005
Nuclear Blast
Troy Cole7/7/2005
-

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: GRAVEWORM
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


<< back >>