The fusion of aggressive instrumental and vocal parts with Southern Rock barren and greasy melodies used by names as PANTERA and DOWN created a new set of influences that cause passion for many fans years ago. But still today, some good names doing such musical genre appears, as the Italian quartet GRAVEYHARD that comes to storm ears with "Pathbuilder".

The band follows the steps of the ancients of such genre, creating a greasy and abrasive form of music, but always with aggressive and nasty melodies, and a good technical insight. It's as nasty and melodic as C.O.C. was back on "Deliverance" days, but using a personal insight of the genre. It's full of energy and full of a bitter and catching impact. On the sound quality, the quartet again hits the target: all sounds greasy and aggressive, but in a way that anyone can understand what is being played. Obviously some points could be better (just a bit cleaner touch on guitars and bass guitar could have be a good idea), but the result is very good.

The 10 songs of the album point for a band that can go even further and explore better some elements (as the charming melodies heard on the guitars during "Pathbuilder"), but their work is good by now. And the barren impact of "Burn Forever" (a fine mix between aggressiveness and melodies), the good hooks set on "The Fighter" and on "Blame Yourself" (both show a very good work on the rhythmic session of the band), the slow and bitter insight used on "Dejection" and "Pathbuilder", and that Southern Groove presented on "Holy Whiskey" are their best shots. Maybe a polishing on vocals could make things even better.

The band has potential to make things even better, and for now, "Pathbuilder" is a very good release.