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There is more than one artist known as Graveyard:
1. Graveyard is a hard rock band from Gothenburg, Sweden.
Joakim Nilsson, Rikard Edlund (both formerly of Norrsken), Axel Sjöberg, and Truls Mörck formed Graveyard in 2006. When Norrsken disbanded in 2000, guitarist Magnus Pelander went on to form doomy folk metal act Witchcraft and Nilsson and Edlund joined Albatros, a growly blues rock band whose lineup also included Sjöberg on drums. Initially they considered Albatros a hobby project Read more on Last.fm
As cringeworthy as the comparisons to “classic” rock are, they are inevitable. Whatever we perceive “rock ‘n roll” to be in 2011 is either a mutated abstraction (thanks in small part to things like Ed Hardy, “Party Like a Rockstar,” and the ever-present body of scholarship that is the Internet) or a reference to the 70s, when it was the Music of the Gods. In that context, Graveyard falls well into the latter category, but the idea of “retro-rock” is so boneheaded, as it’s just getting a bad/reductive rap. Everything is recycled; nothing is truly original – in fact, that is arguably the very nature of inspiration. If we must insist that all hard rock bands are just “ripping off” a very specific part of a very specific time frame, then we must also at least insist that Graveyard is one of the best doing it right now. Did it ever occur to anyone that people want to play real rock ‘n roll because nothing more awesome in the world than real rock ‘n roll? Hisingen Blues is marked by awesomely crisp-but-organic production, powerful grooves, hugely emotive soul sensibilities, and really some of the coolest, most unique vocals I’ve heard in a while. This record isn’t dated … it’s timeless. It cuts right through to the heart of it all, and it does so heavily. Easily one of the best of 2011.
Confession: I’d never heard Graveyard until Friday; and even then, it was through the fence at Bonnaroo. However, I got inside said fence in time for The Sword, who informed the crowd A.) that Graveyard rules, and B.) that Graveyard would be playing a second set that day. I was fortunate enough to catch the second set and grasp how great Graveyard really is.
I’ll try to save my classic/blues rock comparisons for conversation, because there are so many that it’d take up too much space (and be super cliche’, but not if you hear this album), but this band is the real rock ‘n roll deal.
From the bass player (who appears to only use his thumb and forefinger as picking fingers) to both guitarists (all 3 sing), these dudes evoke a serious sense that rock ‘n roll is not dead, which is something I usually find impossible to believe. It’s blues; It’s rock; It’s riffs; It’s real!
Listen. Download. Buy. Whatever. Let’s do what we must to bring these fellows back to America. If you find yourself wishing for real rock ‘n roll, these dudes are for you. Hendrix + Zeppelin + Cream + Sabbath + The White Stripes = this record that wins today’s reality.