Northern Graves – Derelict Heart Review | Angry Metal Guy

We don’t know exactly what it is, but the Canadian prairies seem to be doing something for people who work with metal. Sometimes we talk about metal from a geographical perspective, like “Scandinavian black metal” or “European power metal,” but I don’t think you’ve heard much about Canadian metal. Of course Canada is a big country, but I’ve yet to find a band that doesn’t resonate in some corner of the countryside. Northern Gravesformed by Damian Smith in 2023. altar of sorrowcontinues this trend with its interpretation of blacked doom metal. Originally a solo project, he moved his activities to the United States and released his debut work with a complete lineup. derelict heartinspired “by the seemingly endless Canadian prairies and the countless ghost towns that dot the landscape.” How could I say no?

It started as Smith’s solo project, so it’s not surprising that there are several projects. altar of sadnessPrinciples are at work here, but the label “blackface” is serious. I suggest this because their practices on the prairie are similar. derelict heart may be the result of a bond between bear and altar of sadness— There’s a desolate, dark darkness at the heart of the music, befitting Smith’s doom metal outfit, but the presentation is passionate and intense. Branson Heinz and Roman Chester give an excellent performance on drums and bass respectively, and they run a marathon biting game from beginning to end. derelict heart. Andrew Caruana joins Smith on guitar and plays aggressively, not quite as fast as Heinz’s drums, without tremolo or movement in places. Their vocals are similarly harsh and piercing. The two growl, howl, and make harsh sounds in strange harmony. Smith also sings and Caruana plays the keys, adding a new dimension to an already strong sound.

The result is a metal that is blacker than Doom and much stronger. “Endless” is off to a strong start. Smith and Caruana play an upbeat riff and run through a strong intro. The elements of doom persist through acoustic guitars, mournful solos, and a strong atmosphere of darkness. Northern Graves They do a great job of evoking the vast, empty plains of their home province of Saskatchewan. “Derelict Heart” is a prime example, an epic slow burn that begins in the waters of doom and builds to a beautifully blackened climax. Smith and Caruana’s vocals are excellent, and Heinz’s drumming reaches manic heights. Guitars surround you and transport you to a ghost town. In quiet moments, the distant singing and orchestration are delicate, cold, and moving. This is a stunningly beautiful song that best exemplifies the fusion of black metal, doom metal, and the unique inspirations that define this world. derelict heart and Northern Graves. Even the non-metallic track “Keeper of the Plains” plays an important role in providing a very special atmosphere. derelict heart It thrives on atmosphere and feels like its own entity, rather than the sum of two subgenres.

From a production perspective, derelict heart The sound is surprisingly clear and energetic, but there are only two small drawbacks. The first is that the drums are unusually loud. As mentioned earlier, Heinz is a great drummer and an important contributor to the music world. derelict heart‘s energy. He gives it strength and presence. But his own presence is often too large, especially in “Lanterns”. “Lanterns” is a gorgeous song, leaning more towards doom metal with an orchestral melody, a clean/harsh vocal duo, and slower, melancholy passages interspersed with beautiful riffs, but the blast beat drumming sits so high in the mix that it becomes distracting. The second is the album closer “Hazard”. Richard Marks Cover it while blacking properly to fit Northern Gravesis not effective as a closer. derelict heart. It stands out, especially following the phenomenal title track. It’s less devastating than the other songs, has a quieter vibe, and has much cleaner singing. derelict heartand while it’s an attractive cover, it feels like an odd way to end the album. It’s a little weird sonically, but I can’t really dislike it. Northern Graves It’s hard to dislike.

There are many ways to make doom metal black. Northern Graves I discovered a great sound in derelict heart. It’s not particularly sad or particularly dark, but it effectively evokes the enormity of the desolate wilderness. It is a powerful and unforgettable experience that resonates and affects me. I can’t wait anymore.

evaluation: 3.5/5.0
Doctor: 8 | Formats reviewed: 320kb/s mp3
label: Mouse music
Website: northerngraves.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/northerngraves
Released worldwide: April 17, 2026

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