Graveland
Encyclopedia
Graveland is a Polish
black metal
band which was formed in 1992 by Rob Darken
(born Robert Fudali). The lyrics of Graveland are strongly inspired by nature, paganism and nationalism.
. In 1993, drummer Maciej "Capricornus" Dąbrowski joined the band, which recorded the demo In the Glare of Burning Churches
. In 1994 the band was joined by Karcharoth of Infernum
and recorded the demo The Celtic Winter which was released as an EP by German label No Colours
which still releases the band’s albums. A few months later, the band’s first album Carpathian Wolves
was released by Eternal Devils Records. With Carpathian Wolves, the band drew several bigger metal label’s attention and signed to Austrian label Lethal Records, which released Thousand Swords
, which is seen as the band’s best release and as a cult album by many fans and black metal scene members, in 1995. After several racist statements the band was dropped by its label. Darken then founded his own label Isengard (later Eastclan) and re-released Thousand Swords on cassette. Its booklet contains a statement against both Lethal Records and two other bigger metal labels, Osmose
and Nuclear Blast
, which are dismissed as part of a "Jewish business conspiracy"; ironically, Graveland song "Born for War" was released on Nuclear Blast Soundcheck - Series Volume 2 in 1995.
With 1998 album Immortal Pride
, the band took on a folk
influence, and more specifically from soundtracks such as the Conan the Barbarian movie soundtrack; the music moved to Viking metal
, became more epic and bombastic, with a strong use of keyboard
s and chorale
s, and the songs became much longer: Immortal Pride consists of four songs, two of them being the intro and outro and the other ones being 24 and 17 minutes long.
In 2000, Raiders of Revenge
, a split release with the band Honor, and the album Creed of Iron / Prawo Stali
were released. Since this album, Darken has worked without Capricornus on drums.
In September 2008, four Graveland releases were indexed by the German Bundesprüfstelle für jugendgefährdende Medien
.
In December 2010, the German BPjM (Federal Authority for Publications unsafe for the Youth) applied to have the Dawn of Iron Blades
album banned.
Graveland is extremely popular among NSBM
fans and generally seen as an NSBM band. Darken rejects the label, however, telling Decibel magazine: "I do not think Graveland is an NSBM band. Graveland is regarded as a NSBM band because of my political convictions, [which] most people would call extreme right-wing National Socialist convictions."
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
band which was formed in 1992 by Rob Darken
Rob Darken
Robert "Darken" Fudali aka Lord Wind is the founder & maintainer of the Polish music projects Graveland and Lord Wind.He has also contributed to other local bands, such as Veles, Infernum, Oppressor , Legion, Wolfkhan, Behemoth and North, most of which as either session keyboardist or artwork...
(born Robert Fudali). The lyrics of Graveland are strongly inspired by nature, paganism and nationalism.
History
Darken, who started Graveland as a solo project and recorded the first demos Necromanteion and Drunemeton alone, was inspired by bands such as BathoryBathory (band)
Bathory was a Swedish heavy metal band, formed by Quorthon in 1983. They are regarded as pioneers of both black metal and viking metal. Quorthon remained the main songwriter and member of Bathory for more than two decades. Bathory was permanently ended after Quorthon's death in 2004...
. In 1993, drummer Maciej "Capricornus" Dąbrowski joined the band, which recorded the demo In the Glare of Burning Churches
In the Glare of Burning Churches
In the Glare of Burning Churches is the fifth demo album by the black metal band Graveland. It was originally released in 1993, on cassette format, on Witching Hour Productions...
. In 1994 the band was joined by Karcharoth of Infernum
Infernum
Infernum is a black metal band founded in 1992 in Wrocław, Poland by Grzegorz "Anextiomarus/Karcharoth" Jurgielewicz and Tom Balrog playing also Oppressor at present Baphomets Throne.-Band history:...
and recorded the demo The Celtic Winter which was released as an EP by German label No Colours
No Colours Records
No Colours Records is a German mail order and record label from Mügeln specialised in black metal.- Background :No Colours Records mostly releases Black Metal records, but has also released records related to other extreme metal genres such as thrash and death metal. Most releases appear both on...
which still releases the band’s albums. A few months later, the band’s first album Carpathian Wolves
Carpathian Wolves
Carpathian Wolves is the debut album by the black metal band Graveland.Carpathian Wolves was re-released twice by No Colours Records. The second re-release, in 2002, contained four rehearsal tracks.-Tracklist:# "Carpathian Wolves " - 3:36...
was released by Eternal Devils Records. With Carpathian Wolves, the band drew several bigger metal label’s attention and signed to Austrian label Lethal Records, which released Thousand Swords
Thousand Swords
Thousand Swords is the second full length album by black metal band Graveland. This release showed a progression in Graveland's sound from raw black metal to black metal with folk and Viking metal influence to it. In 1995, the album was re-released by Isengard Distribution with a different cover....
, which is seen as the band’s best release and as a cult album by many fans and black metal scene members, in 1995. After several racist statements the band was dropped by its label. Darken then founded his own label Isengard (later Eastclan) and re-released Thousand Swords on cassette. Its booklet contains a statement against both Lethal Records and two other bigger metal labels, Osmose
Osmose Productions
Osmose Productions is a French independent record label created in 1991 by Hervé Herbaut, after he had spent three years running a small mail order company...
and Nuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast is an independent record label and mail order record distributor with subsidiaries in Germany, the United States and Brazil. The record label was founded in 1987 by Markus Staiger in Germany. Originally releasing hardcore punk records, the label moved on to releasing albums by melodic...
, which are dismissed as part of a "Jewish business conspiracy"; ironically, Graveland song "Born for War" was released on Nuclear Blast Soundcheck - Series Volume 2 in 1995.
With 1998 album Immortal Pride
Immortal Pride
Immortal Pride is the fourth full length studio album by the black metal band Graveland. Initially it was released as a tape by Rob Darken's own label Eastclan...
, the band took on a folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
influence, and more specifically from soundtracks such as the Conan the Barbarian movie soundtrack; the music moved to Viking metal
Viking metal
Viking metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its galloping pace, keyboard-rich anthemic sound, bleakness and dramatic emphasis on lyrical themes of Norse mythology, Norse paganism, and the Viking Age...
, became more epic and bombastic, with a strong use of keyboard
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
s and chorale
Chorale
A chorale was originally a hymn sung by a Christian congregation. In certain modern usage, this term may also include classical settings of such hymns and works of a similar character....
s, and the songs became much longer: Immortal Pride consists of four songs, two of them being the intro and outro and the other ones being 24 and 17 minutes long.
In 2000, Raiders of Revenge
Raiders of Revenge
Raiders of Revenge is a split album by the black metal band Graveland and RAC band Honor. It was released in 2000 on Resistance Records.- Track listing :Honor#Antichrist's Hammer - 4:34#Wrath - 8:10#Invaders - 6:26#Thousand Years Bonds - 6:16...
, a split release with the band Honor, and the album Creed of Iron / Prawo Stali
Creed of Iron / Prawo Stali
Creed of Iron is the fifth full length studio album by the black metal band Graveland. It was also released under the Polish title Prawo Stali, with lyrics sung in Polish. The album was released in 2000 on No Colours Records & in 2001 by Nawia Productions...
were released. Since this album, Darken has worked without Capricornus on drums.
In September 2008, four Graveland releases were indexed by the German Bundesprüfstelle für jugendgefährdende Medien
Bundesprüfstelle für jugendgefährdende Medien
The Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons is an upper-level German federal agency subordinate to the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. It is responsible for examining media works allegedly harmful to young people and entering these onto an...
.
In December 2010, the German BPjM (Federal Authority for Publications unsafe for the Youth) applied to have the Dawn of Iron Blades
Dawn of Iron Blades
Dawn Of Iron Blades is a full-length album by the Polish black metal band Graveland.Dawn of Iron Blades was also released as A5-digibook and gatefold 2xLP...
album banned.
Graveland is extremely popular among NSBM
National Socialist black metal
National Socialist black metal is black metal that promotes National Socialist beliefs through their lyrics and imagery. These beliefs often include: white supremacy, racial separatism, antisemitism, heterosexism, and Nazi interpretations of paganism or Satanism...
fans and generally seen as an NSBM band. Darken rejects the label, however, telling Decibel magazine: "I do not think Graveland is an NSBM band. Graveland is regarded as a NSBM band because of my political convictions, [which] most people would call extreme right-wing National Socialist convictions."
Studio albums
- Carpathian WolvesCarpathian WolvesCarpathian Wolves is the debut album by the black metal band Graveland.Carpathian Wolves was re-released twice by No Colours Records. The second re-release, in 2002, contained four rehearsal tracks.-Tracklist:# "Carpathian Wolves " - 3:36...
(1994) - CD, MC - Thousand SwordsThousand SwordsThousand Swords is the second full length album by black metal band Graveland. This release showed a progression in Graveland's sound from raw black metal to black metal with folk and Viking metal influence to it. In 1995, the album was re-released by Isengard Distribution with a different cover....
(1995) - CD - Following the Voice of BloodFollowing the Voice of BloodFollowing the Voice of Blood is the third full-length studio album by the black metal band Graveland. It was originally released in early 1997 as a demo album but was later re-released in that year and in 2001 as a full length studio album.-Full length:...
(1997) - CD - Immortal PrideImmortal PrideImmortal Pride is the fourth full length studio album by the black metal band Graveland. Initially it was released as a tape by Rob Darken's own label Eastclan...
(1998) - CD - Creed of Iron / Prawo StaliCreed of Iron / Prawo StaliCreed of Iron is the fifth full length studio album by the black metal band Graveland. It was also released under the Polish title Prawo Stali, with lyrics sung in Polish. The album was released in 2000 on No Colours Records & in 2001 by Nawia Productions...
(2000, released in English and Polish versions) - Memory and DestinyMemory and DestinyMemory and Destiny is the sixth full length studio album by the black metal band Graveland. It was released in 2002 on No Colours Records and was limited to 2000 copies. The LP version was limited to 888 copies.-Track listing:#Fate of Warrior - 8:49...
(2002) - A5 digipak CD, CD, LP - The Fire of AwakeningThe Fire of AwakeningThe Fire of Awakening is the seventh full length studio album by the black metal band Graveland. It was released in 2003 on No Colours Records and was limited to 1000 copies.-Track listing:#We Shall Prevail - 9:53#Battle of Wotan's Wolves - 8:40...
(2003) - A5 digipak CD, CD, LP - Dawn of Iron BladesDawn of Iron BladesDawn Of Iron Blades is a full-length album by the Polish black metal band Graveland.Dawn of Iron Blades was also released as A5-digibook and gatefold 2xLP...
(2004) - A5 digipak CD, CD, LP - Fire Chariot of DestructionFire Chariot of Destruction'Fire Chariot of Destruction is the ninth full length studio album by the Polish black metal band Graveland. It was releases on No Colours Records in 2005...
(2005) - A5 digipak CD, CD, DLP - Will Stronger Than DeathWill Stronger Than DeathWill Stronger Than Death is the tenth full length studio album by the Polish black metal band Graveland. It was released in 2007 on No Colours Records.-Track listing:#Fire Dragon of Black Sun - 8:07#Throne of the Granite - 8:07...
(2007) - A5 digipak CD, CD, LP - Spears of HeavenSpears of HeavenSpears of Heaven is the eleventh full length studio album released by the black metal band Graveland. It was released on No Colours Records in 2009.-Track listing:-External links:****...
(2009) - A5 digipak CD, CD - Thunderbolts of the Gods (2011) - CD
Demos and promo tapes
- Necromanteion (1992)
- Promo June '92 (1992)
- Drunemeton (1992)
- EpilogueEpilogue (Graveland album)Epilogue is the third demo album by the black metal band Graveland. It was originally released on cassette format in 1993 on Witching Hour Productions, but was then later released on CD on No Colours Records in 2008.-Track listing:#Intro - 1:55...
(1993) - In the Glare of Burning ChurchesIn the Glare of Burning ChurchesIn the Glare of Burning Churches is the fifth demo album by the black metal band Graveland. It was originally released in 1993, on cassette format, on Witching Hour Productions...
(1993) - The Celtic Winter (1993)
- Following the Voice of Blood (1997, contains early versions of two tracks from the Album)
EPs & Splits
- The Celtic Winter (1994) - CD
- Impaler’s WolvesImpaler's WolvesImpaler's Wolves is the second EP by the black metal band Graveland. It was released on Eastclan records in 1999. The cover pictures an image of Vlad the Impaler.-External links:**...
(1999) - CD - Raiders of RevengeRaiders of RevengeRaiders of Revenge is a split album by the black metal band Graveland and RAC band Honor. It was released in 2000 on Resistance Records.- Track listing :Honor#Antichrist's Hammer - 4:34#Wrath - 8:10#Invaders - 6:26#Thousand Years Bonds - 6:16...
(2000, split EP with HonorHonor (band)Honor was a Polish Rock Against Communism band. Their lyrical themes are related to National Socialism, neopaganism and the white power skinhead movement. Until 1999, the band played typical RAC, and then moved to pagan metal music. In January 2002, vocalist Mariusz Szczerski was arrested for...
) - DIGI-PACK - Raise Your Sword!Raise Your Sword!Raise Your Sword! is the fourth EP by the black metal band Graveland. It was released on No Colours Records in 2001. It was also released as a vinyl and was limited to 888 copies.-Track listing:#Till The Final Death - 9:51#Temple Of My Hatred - 10:16...
(2001) - CD - Blood of HeroesBlood of Heroes (Graveland album)Blood of Heroes is the fifth EP by the black metal band Graveland. It was originally released in 2002 on Vinland Winds Records, but was re-released in 2004 on No Colours Records. An LP version was also released and was limited to 1488 copies....
(2002) - EP - Eastern HammerEastern HammerEastern Hammer is a split album between the black metal bands Graveland, Nokturnal Mortum, Temnozor, and North. It was released in 2007 on Hammerbolt Productions and was limited to 999 copies....
(2007, split EP with Nokturnal Mortum, North and Temnozor) - CD - Wotan Mit MirWotan Mit MirWotan Mit Mir is the seventh EP by the black metal band Graveland. It was released on Darkland Records in 2008 on MLP format. It was limited to 900 copies.-Track listing:-External links:**...
(2008) - EP, MLP - Cold Winter Blades (2010) - Mini CD
- Tribute to the King of Aquilonia 2010 - EP7"
Current members
- Robert "Rob Darken" FudaliRob DarkenRobert "Darken" Fudali aka Lord Wind is the founder & maintainer of the Polish music projects Graveland and Lord Wind.He has also contributed to other local bands, such as Veles, Infernum, Oppressor , Legion, Wolfkhan, Behemoth and North, most of which as either session keyboardist or artwork...
- vocals, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, synthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
s, keyboard instrumentKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
s, drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, drum programming
Former members
- Maciej "Capricornus" Dąbrowski - drums (1992–1999)
- Grzegorz (aka "Anextiomarus" or "Karcharoth") Jurgielewicz - bass (1992–1995)- In 2004 he committed suicide.
External links
- Official website
- Graveland biography @ MusicMight
- [ Graveland biography @ Allmusic]