Blacken the Sky

After releasing a couple EP’s immediately following their 2012 formation, Second Grave aimed for an even darker sound for their 2016 full-length album. The Boston group’s approach to doom pulls from several different influences as grungy tones ride along blues rhythms with some classic metal flavor sprinkled in. There’s a tempestuous atmosphere throughout with an ominous overcast that lives up to that title quite nicely.

While the musicianship doesn’t display much overt technicality, the tones and deliveries do an excellent job of shaping that darker aesthetic. The vocals are the band’s most noteworthy asset, mostly consisting of a sultry but powerful alto that gives way to the occasional scream. The guitars also boast a crunchy tone with plenty of bottom end that doesn’t ever get too processed and the drums opt for a loose approach that never loses sight of a solid foundation.

The album also benefits from a distinct flow between songs as each track builds upon the mood of its predecessor. “No Roam” and “17 Days” establish a somber mood while putting in straightforward hooks and “Below the Seas” shifts to a more grandiose approach that is given even more weight in the middle of the album with songs like “Afraid of the Dark” and “Death March.” The screams on “Bloodletting” make for an aggressive outlier but the title track is the album’s biggest curveball, closing the album out with gorgeously restrained guitar work and the album’s most haunting chorus.

Blacken the Sky isn’t a depressing album by any means but Second Grave does an excellent job of establishing a dark, melancholic vibe with some real power behind it. The musicianship is vibrant without getting too flashy and the songwriting sees each song contributing to a cohesive atmosphere while offering distinct characters. It’s a shame that the band disbanded almost immediately after the album’s release, but the style has lived on in the EPs released so far by its spinoff band, Benthic Realm. But even if that project crafts something as strong as this album, I doubt it’ll ever be obsolete. Definitely one to pull out for those rainy days.

Highlights:
“No Roam”
“17 Days”
“Below the Seas”
“Blacken the Sky”