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Review: Grai - About Native Land
Grai
www.facebook.com/pages/GRAI-folk-metal-band-from-Russia/109421999135271
About Native Land

Label: Soundage Productions
Year released: 2011
Duration: 45:48
Tracks: 10
Genre: Folk Metal

Rating:
3.5/5


Review online: March 19, 2012
Reviewed by: MetalMike
Readers' Rating
How do you rate this release?

Rated 3.5/5 (70%) (6 Votes)
Review

I like Russian Folk/Pagan Metal and bands like Arkona and Tverd have received some high ratings in my reviews. Along comes Grai and their album About Native Land and I am excited. After a few listens my initial excitement has become somewhat tempered, though there are some good things happening on About Native Land.

Grai take the term "Folk" to heart and traditional instruments like flutes, pipes, mouth harps and others abound. In fact, that's one of the things that turn me off about Grai's music; the flutes and other traditional instruments dominate the sound to the point where the guitar and bass are relegated to support roles. About Native Land is heavy on the Folk but a bit light on the Metal. Songs like "Leshak," where the harsh growls of bassist Yuri take center stage are aggressive and powerful. Mostly, though, the album is characterized by flutes and the clear vocals of lead singer Irina backed by keyboardist Rimma and flautist Alia.

There's a lot on About Native Land can be thought of as Jethro-Tull-goes-to-the-steppes. There's nothing wrong with it and there are heavier parts, but if you like your Folk Metal with a foundation in Black Metal, the album may not work for you. If you like your Folk Metal on the Folk side, though, About Native Land is worth a listen.

More about Grai...
Review: About Native Land (reviewed by Sargon the Terrible)
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