If you haven't already, go ahead read above the band's lineup. Yes, you are not mistaken; the band consists of five women and one man. This was quite a surprise for me when I read the biography notes behind the promo CD sleeve. I am not a chauvinist pig but I think it's a common knowledge the fact that femininity is a minority among the Metal community. Well, enough with the small talk; let's talk about the music itself!
OCTAVIA SPERATI is band from Norway that was formed by a company of friends in 2000. After several changes, the solidified lineup got on stage and performed as a supporting act to ENSLAVED and participated to some pretty famous festivals like 'Hole in the Sky' and '1001 Watt' to name a few. The band's maiden full length release was Winter Enclosure that saw the light of the day in May of 2005. The album received something more than positive reviews giving the band  the honor of being in the top 10 list of the best newcomer acts in 2005 by the Terrorizer and Kerrang! magazines.  
So, Grace Submerged is the second full length release by OCTAVIA SPERATI. Guilty Am I opens the album and brings to mind the works of THE GATHERING during the How To Measure A Planet era especially in the vocals. Moonlit kicks in with a ton-heavy guitar rhythm and a dominating bass guitar doodle that leans towards the Doom Metal genre; here Silje uses a more personal performing style by following a deeply emotional path. The flawless sound production combines the melody and the heaviness of the low-tuned guitars and creates an excellent result. As the third track Going North enters, the band spice things up by adding some Gothic Rock elements in terms of catchy and groovy guitar rhythms. Don't Believe A Word was originally released in 1976 and was composed and sung by Phil Lynott (R.I.P. 04/01/86) with THIN LIZZY in the Johnny The Fox album. OCTAVIA SPERATI made an excellent cover version turning this classic rocker into a fine atmospheric ballad by introducing Silje's haunting vocals and some atmospheric keyboard melodies. The album continues in the previous pattern implementing mid-tempo songs with ultra heavy guitar riffing and solid drum work. In the album highlights we find Deprivation where the doomy bass guitar is on the spotlight and Provenance Of Hate with the vivid CANDLEMASS influences (just listen to the main riff and you'll get the picture).
Overall this is a more than noteworthy album with almost unique sound. Don't be fooled by the Gothic label that the band's PR management uses to describe Grace Submerged because the album is heavy and frequently sets foot on the Doom Metal dark territory.