Grave Lines - Not towing the line

July 6th 2019

London, Shepherds Bush, o2 Empire, UK

***1/2

The sound from beyond the grave

Grave Lines ***1/2 are a London Experimental Metal band, that mix up so many genres. They go from being instrumental, to Stoner Metal, to Groove Metal, to Dark Metal with a hint of Black Metal and Traditional Heavy Metal. If you like interesting sounds, and Atmospheric Metal... you will love this band. From their Viking Metal style, that looks like a Medieval version of Sons of Anarchy mixing with the Viking Raiders / Viking Experience tag team from WWE wrestling. Think this and you would not totally have this band, they are a little more.

Tonight is Grave Lines big break, and I bet they can't believe it. Because they are on the bill with Industrial Metal legends Ministry and 3Teeth the hottest property on the scene at the moment. Grave Lines play with pure emotion and passion, and put their heart and soul into their music. I think they are a marmite band though, if they are your thing... then you will love them. If your not into their style, then it's just not your thing. Some people are not comfortable, with the degree of intensity that Grave Lines put into every performance they do.

For an opening act, they are very... very good. Making the listener, want to know where they are going to go next on their musical journey. The intensity for some, would make them tired. Grave Lines for some are not an easy listen, but then again I think that is why other people with love and be obsessed with this band. For me I have to admit they are not my thing, even though maybe in the past... I might have got into it for a while. But I have moved on from their sound, in my own personal musical journey.

The connection of the band members is really great, and their mountain men vibe really works. Even though I have to admit the drummer, looks a little out of place. Like she has been drafted in from an Emo / Hardcore band, I think they need to make her more fitting with the image of the band. Because her playing is not the problem here, it's just you want a band to fit together. They are a very good band, with very good songs that will make an impact in the Extreme music genre.

This is shown strongly in the video at the bottom of this page for closing number 'The Nihilist Engine', which is well worth a watch. So if your into intense music that might make your head explode, and experimental instrumental vibe to your Metal. Then this is a band you must listen to, because they are one of the best in this genre. The reason I have only given them three and a half stars is, because I think they need to add more to their stage show and I think they will get better... not for the fact it's not for me. Also you look at the set list and think they didn't play for long, this is a band that doesn't do three to four minute songs... so just deal with it.