GRAVERIPPER - RADIATED REMAINS
The first single that I heard from Graveripper was the song 'Atoms Divide'. The sheer amount of headbanging can't be put into words during this song. There are some elements that might be black-ish metal but the core of 'Radiated Remains' is thrash metal. It is quite an eye-opener to listen to such a well produced and mixed record like 'Radiated Remains' especially in the realm of blackened thrash metal, this is already a gem that should not be missed by especially thrash metal fans. To go back to the intro of 'Radiated Remains', you would think that you are going to listen to another Burzum-wannabe album but after that you couldn't be more wrong.
The tempo during the songs is simply mind-blowing to say the least. Especially during the song 'Cherenkov Light'. I can see why because the Cherenkov Lights are fast as hell! Basically, they are particles that travel faster than light. So, if Graveripper will play this song live, they might turn into big blue banging badasses. So yeagh, it being a mix with black metal and thrash metal you might expect some solo's on the thrash metal aspect however don't expect like 30 second solo's. These solo's that Graveripper gives us aren't that long but that doesn't make them ineffective. They are very well placed throughout 'Radiated Remains' and that makes it more obvious that Graveripper do have musical writing talent.
About Graveripper having talent is like saying grass is green, it is just true. The amount of professional talent that takes to make an album that defines two genres and make it work is incredibly impressive. Graveripper manages to pull off fast paced blackened thrash metal with headbangable riffs scattered over 'Radiated Remains' like graphite being scattered over the reactor number 4 of Chernobyl Power Plant right after the explosion.
It isn't like one instrument or one member really stands out throughout the album, however the band as a whole, makes such a professional and experienced impression on their very first release. It is incredible to hear riffs that could freeze your ass off and a few seconds later, you will hear riffs that will for sure break your neck since you are going to headbang faster than Corpsegrinder.
The last three tracks are from Graveripper's old EP 'Complete Blinding Darkness'. I didn't know that the first time I was listening to this EP. I was trying to fix my audio and when I saw the message from Wise Blood Records, I felt kind of dumb when I figured out that it wasn't all new material from Graveripper. However, it is quite clear to hear the first steps being taken up to 'Radiated Remains'. The sound and the inspiration was already there from the first few songs Graveripper had cooked up.
Overall, the sound of Graveripper has totally hooked me. What a release. I am glad and honoured to have heard this (thanks to Wise Blood Records) before everyone else. I would really recommend this if you like Suicidal Angels mixed with a bit of Burzum here and there. Go and pre-order this amazing beast of an EP through Wise Blood Records and you will not be disappointed. Trust me on that one.
