Graveyard's 6: inward-looking and melancholy, but a masterclass in psychedelic light and shade

More psychedelic raves from the grave on Graveyard's enticingly titled sixth album 6

Graveyard: 6 cover art
(Image: © Nuclear Blast)

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Yet another band whose plans were derailed by the pandemic. Five years have passed since Graveyard's Peace album, but the minimally titled 6 finds the heavy-rocking Swedes returning in rude health. 

Their second album from the line-up of vocalist/guitarist Joakim Nilsson, guitarist Jonatan Ramm, bassist Truls Märck and drummer Oskar Bergenheim, this is a more inward-looking and melancholy Graveyard, world-weary yet able to fire things up when it matters. 

Tracks like the ramshackle Twice, Just A Drop and the soulful, ever-building No Way Out are driven and focused, but the dominant feel is raw, mellow and groovy – Bright Lights finds the band drifting lysergically down desert highways, Sad Song easily lives up to its title, and the superb Breathe In Breathe Out features Nilsson channelling the spirit of Mark Lanegan at his dusty, southern gothic best

This album is a masterclass in psychedelic light and shade.

Essi Berelian

Whether it’s magazines, books or online, Essi has been writing about rock ’n’ metal for around thirty years. He has been reviews editor for Classic Rock and Metal Hammer, rock reviews editor for lads mag Front and worked for Kerrang!. He has also written the Rough Guide to Heavy Metal and contributed to the Rough Guide to Rock and Rough Guide Book of Playlists, and the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles (13th edition). Most fun interview? Tenacious D – Jack Black and Kyle Gass – for The Pick of Destiny movie book. An avid record/CD/tape collector, he’s amassed more music than he could ever possibly listen to, which annoys his wife no end.