When we speak of the German Metal scene, it's impossible to avoid the idea of how the country was important to the creation of many Metal genres. But strangely, the country didn't have a great influence on the coming of the Second Wave of Black Metal on the 90s. Norway, Sweden, Finland and Greece were the main places, and even USA had many great names on the genre on those days. But Germany hadn't. Of course some names as MYSTIC CIRCLE, NINNGHIZHIDDA, NARGAROTH and some others shows that there were (and there are) Black Metal bands on the country, but whose names never could beat bands as MAYHEM, MARDUK, DARKTHRONE, ROTTING CHRIST and others in popularity. Honestly, I hope that GRABAK, a quintet from Leipzig, can become as great as the ancients, because their latest album, called "Bloodline Divine", is amazing!

They play a traditional Black Metal form, but with those influences that other bands from Germany had. It's different, strong and truly aggressive on the harsh and fast moments as in the slower ones. They are extremely creative in musical arrangements terms, because their songs shows very good harmonies and some funereal melodies that make us pay all attention on their work. Even some clean amazing voices can be heard. Carrying the responsibility for being the sixth album of the quintet, Andy Schmidt was chose to be the producer (and had Michel Boer working with him on the mixing and mastering). He did a very good work, because a Black Metal band must bear a raw and aggressive sound, but the level of clarity is high. So you can understand everything they are playing, along with fine somber instrumental tunes. Let's be honest: this is the sound that fits in what they play perfectly. The blasphemous artwork created by Dan Verkys is really amazing, exposing their lyrical ideas.

Musically, as they have more than 20 years of struggles in Black Metal, you will hear a mature band that knows what the musicians want form their work. The contrast between fast moments with slow bitter parts shown on "Via Dolorosa" (with a perfect work from vocals, showing an ample range of tunes), the sinister melodies that the guitars create on "Sinnocence" (a slow paced song, with very good arrangements), the oppressive harmonies and brutal grasp of "Corpsebride", the bitter funeral dirge created by the guitars on "Oblivion" (some charming melodies really seduces us all), the insane pile driver force shown by bass guitar and drums on "Bloodline Divine" and "S.T.U.K.A.", and the saturation on darkened melodies and blood-soaked aggressiveness of "Apostate" can be named as their best moments... If the album had some best moments, because it's amazing and perfect from the beginning to the end.

It's excellent, and I must tell you: these guys deserve your attention, so listen and by "Bloodline Divine", and let GRABAK show you that the band is here to lead into the future of Black Metal!