Graveyard - Lights Out (2012): The consolidation.

It’s common to hear that every great fighter can only be considered a true champion if he defends his belt at least once. Well, with Lights Out, Graveyard made his defense and consolidated themselves as one of the major reference in their weight. 

Hisingen Blues, released in 2011, was very consistent – not by chance it joined the blog ranking as one of the top ten releases from 2011. 

But I confess that despite all the credentials I wasn’t convinced that Graveyard would become a reference. Big mistake! Lights Out brought sequence to the group and also showed a stupendous evolution, and ability to avoid being repetitive. 

And it’s precisely the ability to don’t sound repetitive that I consider the major asset of the Swedes. The album is different from anything that Graveyard has already done: It’s thicker, more pulled to the Blues, boozier and with quite critical lyrics. At the same time, the band keeps their feet firmly fixed in their origins, the Hard and Stoner Rock.

The track Goliath and lyrics full of criticism.

It’s possible to note a posture refuting some aspects of our society. Among them, consumerism and the labor market are the main points. 

Goliath, for example, summarizes the whole idea in its chorus (“They are trying to sell slavery as a dream to chase/ Driven by fear consumer wars/ No way to see their hoax”). This track was the main single from the set and its official video can be seen here. 

The same critiques in the lyrics can be observed in The Suits, the Law & the Uniform – with a powerful riff (but excessively stretch) – and the opening An Industry of Murder. Both guided by a heavy Hard Rock with some bits of psychedelia. 

However, it's when they take on a more melancholic side that Lights Out really makes the difference! Three songs drink from this source and stand out. Joakim Nilsson shows an incredible interpretation with his hoarse and muffled tone at certain points.

Endless Night's video and some doses of psychedelia.

Slow Motion Countdown, Hard Times Lovin’ and 20/20 (Tunnel Vision) form a trio tough to be beaten! The second one has an interpretation that vaguely resembles Jim Morrison in his darkest moments, while the third one pulls a charged and lysergic atmosphere, with superb lyrics. 

Lights Out is undoubtedly the best Graveyard’s album until here. It’s the group consolidation and able to make the listener feel the expectation for new releases. 

Now excuse me because I wanna drink again… 

“Some people think that I’m the man; because I’ve thrown away all that I had.” 

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FACTSHEET: 

Artist: Graveyard 

Year: 2012 

Album: Lights Out 

Genre: Hard Rock / Stoner Rock 

Country: Sweden 

Members: Axel Sjöberg (drums), Joakim Nilsson (vocals and guitar), Jonatan Ramm (vocals and guitar), Rikard Edlund (bass). 

TRACKS: 

1 - An Industry of Murder 

2 - Slow Motion Countdown 

3 - Seven Seven 

4 - The Suits, the law & the Uniform 

5 - Endless Night 

6 - Hard Time Lovin’ 

7 - Goliath 

8 - Fool in the End 

9 - 20/20 (Tunnel Vision) 

 

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