Graveworm - Scourge Of Malice
Serenades Records
Black/Ghotic Metal
10 songs (53'55)
Release year: 2001
Graveworm
Reviewed by Danny

This is the third record from Graveworm and after the excellent As The Angel Reach The Beauty and following very good reviews out from Germany, I was a bit excited when I have pressed the play button.

After the intro Unhallowed By The Infernal One reminds me immediately Cradle Of Filth. Stefan's vocals reminds me COF's singer (Danny) and the whole song is very inspired by the British black metal band. The "crying" violins entering at the end of the songs are wonderful and give more sadness to the first track.

Second song, Abandoned By Heaven, is again a typical COF song and Graveworm's singer continues to shout very high notes. The only difference is this fight between gothic and black metal vocals. It gives another dimension to the song and like first song, the keyboards are excellent. Descending Into Ethereal Mist & Fear Of The Dark (great Iron Maiden cover-version, a black metal piece of 8'44 please) are two excellent songs I must highlight.

Overall, Scourge Of Malice is really good and the natural progression of Graveworm continues. This is without any doubt their best album so far. Even though COF or early Dimmu Bordir are still very present on Scourge Of Malice, Graveworm is constructing record after record their own sound, their own path. The gothic elements fighting black metal ones is definitively their trademark.

Fans of early Cradle Of Filth or early Dimmu Borgir this one is for you. If you are into black metal stuff, check this one. I would be more than surprised if you don't buy it. I cannot leave you without talking about Scourge Of Malice's cover-art. It is absolutely GREAT. The picture drawn by Luis Royo is one of the best picture I have ever seen. Congratulation Mr. Royo.

Killing Songs :
Fear Of The Dark, Descending Into Ethereal Mist, Unhallowed By The Infernal One
Danny quoted 80 / 100
Other albums by Graveworm that we have reviewed:
Graveworm - Ascending Hate reviewed by Andy and quoted 75 / 100
Graveworm - (N)Utopia reviewed by Jack and quoted 90 / 100
Graveworm - Engraved In Black reviewed by Jack and quoted 90 / 100
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