From Bandcamp, "Inspired by the seemingly endless Canadian prairies and the countless ghost towns that dot its landscape, NORTHER GRAVES takes its name from the struggles and challenges of living in the rural North. Crumbling infrastructure and dwindling populations provide such places with a sense that they're dying-like, ruins left behind in the shadow of those who sought opportunities and a better life elsewhere." The album has seven songs, and "A Story Told by the Wind" is first; a short piano led instrumental that lays down a solemn and ominous tone for what may come. "Lanterns" is thick and aggressive, with meaty bass notes and harsh vocals that echo off the mountainside. The riffs are commanding, and there is a sense of doom hanging in the air. The clean vocals in the chorus provide a nice contrast to the harsh ones, and the song as a whole has a magnanimous tone.

"Keeper of the Plains" is another short instrumental with a distinct warning to it. "Endless" enters with a heavy groove, thick bass notes, some orchestral elements, and crawling gutturals. The cleans are also very well done, and they bring an emotional quality with them, that is gradually heighted as layers are added along the way. "Nocturne" brings a commanding power with it. Harmonies in the chorus, lead breaks, and an ever-shifting tone keep you constantly engaged with the music. At times, it is rugged with anger, while other times, it's introspective and thoughtful. Following a raging sequence, there is a cool down at the end with piano. "Derelict Heart" lumbers like a wooly mammoth wandering the great plains of the North, and the gutturals are tortured. Along the eight-minute journey, you will encounter both friend and foe, and each will be a surprise.

"Hazard" is the final song, a RICHARD MARX cover. A little secret…I have been a fan of his since the 1980's. It's a lot heavier than the original version, but the vocal harmonies are excellent, as is their interpretation of the song. It carries with it that sense of grandiosity that is present on the album. This was an outstanding album. Each of the four meaty songs that make up the heart of the effort are powerful, emotionally charged, and rich in scope. There is an impending sense of doom along with rage on the heighted end, plenty of melodies in the middle, and seamless transitions that connect these passages. Without experiencing the great plans of Canada, I can feel its spirit in each song, and it's a proud heritage.