GRABUNHOLD - Auf Den Hugelgraberhohen (MCD)

Grabunhold's debut demo, "Auf den Hügelgräberhöhen," delivers a swift surge of raucous and stomping black metal. Released in 2017, this demo shows promise, albeit with a notably muddy and raw quality, though it doesn't quite plunge into the realm of extreme rawness found in some black metal. Spanning just fifteen minutes and four tracks, it piqued the interest of Iron Bonehead Productions, leading to the release of the band's subsequent EP in 2019, "Unter dem Banner der Toten."

For those delving into their catalog in reverse, the debut demo is notably more primal and unrefined than its successor. The production exudes a rough, nostalgic charm reminiscent of four-track recordings and basement rehearsal tapes, characterized by prominently loud drums and submerged guitars. The vocals consist of scraping, gargled rasps, and the tremolo riffing occasionally evokes an atmospheric, medieval essence. It's evident that Grabunhold embraces the early second-wave black metal aesthetic, and they execute it more effectively than many of their contemporaries.

In general, the demo doesn't offer many surprises, except for the ambient buildup leading to a brief yet grandiose, epic-tinged outro in "Eorls Ende." While Grabunhold would refine their production and strengthen their songwriting in subsequent releases, "Auf den Hügelgräberhöhen" serves as a competent introduction to their evolving style. Truthfully, unless you have a penchant for ultra-raw demo tapes, there's little reason to delve into this when their later work refines and surpasses what's presented here.