:: Lovers Grave - Deadcity

Lovers Grave

The latest act to make their mark on the Australian metallic hardcore scene is Melbourne’s Lovers Grave who, despite having weathered some line-up changes in their short twelve month existence, have managed to solidify their current formation of members to play some shows alongside As I Lay Dying, Ghost Inside, Confession, Thy Art Is Murder and Wish For Wings. Having survived the rigours of touring with one another, the four piece act have made the move towards the recording side of things. And in-between shows, the band entered the studio with up and coming producer/engineer Tim Bates and Vinn Zylstra to emerge their debut EP ‘Deadcity’.

From the moment Lovers Grave launch into the EP’s opening track ‘Hang Your Head’, its clear that the band aren’t remotely interested in taking any prisoners. There’s real venom within Rivers’ vocals that can be felt throughout the song, and a real edge that gives the song some aggression. But outside of the vocals, the music itself is quite driven, thick and raw sounding, yet melodic enough to ensure a sense of catchiness that is sometimes lacking in some acts of the same ilk. The guest guitar additions from Clint Splattering are also a welcome touch as well. The scathing follow up ‘A Night In Paris’ takes the savage attack of the first track to even meaner depths, with only the breakdown of electronic beats around the latter stages of the track providing anything in the way of a respite from the onslaught, while ‘Death Ain’t A Stranger’ more than manages to maintain the aggressive flow of the former tracks. The short instrumental piece ‘V’ provides a bit of a breather around the latter half of the EP, before closing out with the impressive ‘Royal Blood’ and the crushing ‘Sleeper’. Although barely having been on the scene for a year, Lovers Grave has certainly made a lasting impression with their debut effort ‘Deadcity’. Destructive, abrasive and raw, ‘Deadcity’ really is a killer release, and only a hint of what I’m sure Lovers Grave are capable of in the coming future.