Grave Maker - Home is where the heartache is (EP)

Grave Maker is a hardcore four-piece from Vancouver, Canada. They released their full-length debut 'Bury me at sea' last year, which, associated with a dedication to non-stop touring, helped them make a name in the North American new school scene.

Their new EP 'Home is where the heartache is', released on 7'' and digital versions, while maintaining the same formula, shows a few slight differences with the album. It's still fast and agry, with lyrics focused on eternal hardcore topics such as how to live your life in the right way and how to become a better self. But they seem to have put their kind of Modern Life Is War progressive sound aside to focus on their straight-up, aggressive modern hardcore side. Melody is still here, but they're pushing the pace more, at least on those three new songs. And it's what they seem to be the best at. The rhythm section is energetic and there are some epic breakdown riffs ('Sever thy head'), as well as great two-step parts but the metallic edge of 'Bury me at sea' is less audible, which is a good thing to me. The drums also sound way better than on the full-length. Jon McRae's vocals are still what prevents me from really enjoying the band on record, they have this tone you find in the East Coast tough guy bands. They're quite monotonous but yet convincing and they're much more guttural on those songs, which will probably please a lot of hardcore fans. The songs are all above the minute mark and even if you don't really notice when the first song ends and the second starts, 'Vlad the impaler' feels more entire than a lot of tracks off 'Bury me at sea'. On another side, the production is still very slick and the formula very common so if you're looking for an edge or raw sound, Grave Maker may turn you off.

3/5

Recommanded if you like:
Have Heart, Terror, Bane
Check also:
Swamp Thing, Dirty Money, Anchor

www.myspace.com/gravemaker
(Smallman Records, 2009)