Today, Black Metal bands live in a deep doubt, sometimes: how to keep the essence of the genre itself with a clear outfit? Yes, it's not an easy task, because when the "ugly aesthetics" started back on the 90's, the conditions were right for that, but things are pretty different today. The old feeling is gone, because it was a part of that period in time, but the essence must be kept in the hearts of the musicians. Let me tell you: in the hearts of the members of the Swedish quartet GRÁ, the old essence of chaos is still alive and strong, as "Väsen", their latest album, is really here to show.

The band musical work is based on a traditional and creative approach of playing Black Metal, but their music bears the deeper and darkened feeling of the SWOBM on their music, that old and morbid atmosphere that can be found on old albums of SATYRICON, DARK FUNERAL, DISSECTION and others when the genre stormed the underground. But they are guided by a strong and aggressive musical personality, sharped by sinister melodies, and their musical work is amazing! On the sound quality, we can say that it was created to have the old "ugly aesthetics" fused with a modern recording, and the responsibility to have a comprehensible insight. It is excellent as well, for we hear all the musical arrangements clearly, but with the right tunes to keep the sound as darkened as possible. So we can enjoy the best of both words on these aspects.

Musically, the band is a veteran act, and "Väsen" is their third album. Heljarmadr, who plays guitar and keyboards, and sings as well, is the vocalist for DARK FUNERAL. Be prepared to be taken by assault, for songs as "Till Sörjerskorna" (that shows that old darkened atmosphere reinforced by stormy riffs and morbid keyboards parts), "King of Decay" (with its harsh grasp and excellent rhythmic work from bass guitar and drums), "Hveðrungs Mær" and "Krieg" (both with tempos not as fast as the previous, showing excellent sad melodies, and astonish shrieks), "The Devil's Tribe" (with the mix of fast tempos with slower introspective parts) will crush your bones and steal your souls. What an amazing Black Metal album, that will hook you if you're a Metalhead with good musical taste.