grau records

grau is Germany based mailorder/webstore and a record label for emotional music. Feel free to check www.grau.cd for every information you may need, including our ever growing list of CD's, LP's, DVD's for sale (black, death, gothic, doom metal, ambient, neofolk and more!
Grau ist DER Mailorder für alle Fans von Black-, Death, Gothic-, Doom Metal, Neofolk, Ambient und vielem mehr. Bei uns findest Du Artikel von Bands wie Dornenreich, Empyrium, The Vision Bleak, Darkthrone, Agalloch, Mourning Beloveth, Devil Doll, Saturnus, Falkenbach, Mayhem, Emperor, Candlemass, Dead Can Dance und vieles vieles mehr. Unser Shop wird mehrmals in der Woche aktualisiert - einfach mal checken!
GRAU/GREYFALL BANDS:
DARK THE SUNS
Mikko Ojala : Vocals & Guitars
Juha Kokkonen : Keyboards
Inka Tuomaala : Bass
Markus Lehtinen : Drums
History
Dark The Suns is melodic metal band from Jyväskylä. Our debut album In Darkness Comes Beauty is to be released in autumn 2007.
Dark The Suns was founded as Mikko's solo project in 2005 in Valkeakoski. The first demo, The Sleeping Beauty, was recorded later that year and it was demo of the month in Inferno-Magazine 34. In the beginning of 2006 Dark The Suns settled to Jyväskylä and Mikko's one-man project grew to a full band when Juha, Markus and Inka joined Dark The Suns.
In August 2006 Dark The Suns entered studio for their second demo and soon in the end of October 2006, Dark The Suns was signed to Firebox Records for two albums.
VON BRANDEN
The dynasty [von Branden] is a musical project featuring Solarian von Branden, Vestriz von Mesopotamien and Arminius von Theesfeld, brought to life in spring 2004 to lay the past to rest and dream of the future ... cold and empty ... Following the demos “Behind The Rain” (2004) and “Ignoranzkult” (2006), this ensemble of eccentrics are about to release their first album.
von Branden represents honest, intense emotional music united by extreme contrasts. On one hand, their soundscapes are very pure and genuine, but they are also very diverse by virtue of their unusual instrumentation, integrating for example cello, saxophone, or piano.
Solarian von Branden on the band’s self-conception: “For us, von Branden are deep, pure emotions in musical form. When words are no longer enough to express thoughts and emotions, we embed them in music. We create the image of a moment that stands apart from the flow of time. Music and lyrics form a unity, they are but the instruments of the soul. Fixed, to serve us as a memory, a sound-photo of the soul, but also open enough to allow the listeners to recognize their own experiences.”
“Scherben” (shards) offers answers to the questions that every man carries deep within himself, without being able to express them in words. Shards still remain when things lose their meaning. Shards are what humans are made of without knowing it. They are what we once were.
AGALLOCH
The essence of Agalloch’s music is a combination of cold, dark sorrow and natural aesthetic beauty. The foundation of the band began in late 1995 when a doom/death project called Aeolachrymae was reduced to a pile of ash. From those ashes, three bands were born- Susurrus Inanis, Nothing and Agalloch. The primary goal in the beginning was to create majestic and epic dark metal. This vision was shared by the two main creators; J. Haughm and S. Breyer. In early 1996, a few songs slowly started to take form and in the summer, a 2nd guitarist, L. Anderson was found. Later in the autumn, the debut demo "From Which Of This Oak" was recorded and shortly after it's release, a permanent bassist - J. William W. Joined the effort. In early 1998 Agalloch recorded a new promo tape for labels only. The uniqueness of that promo earned the band a deal with The End Records and in January of 1999 they entered the studio to record their debut album.
The album, entitled "Pale Folklore", was released in June of 1999 and received much acclaim for it’s grim concepts and folkloric aesthetics. Throughout 2000, the band kept a very low profile until finally emerging again with the release of a limited MCD entitled "Of Stone, Wind and Pillor" in mid 2001. This is a collection of unreleased material from 1998 – 2001 and includes a cover of Sol Invictus’ "Kneel to The Cross". This cover also appears on Cynfierdd's "Sol Lucet Omnibus", a 2CD tribute to Sol Invictus. From late 2001 - early 2002, the band recorded their second album. Entitled "The Mantle", the album is a 70 minute epic which brings to life a darker, more bleak view of the world through more transcendental, existential, and nihilistic motifs. "The Mantle" is an expression of longing, decay, and the desperation of hope.
Agalloch hails from Portland, Oregon - in the heart of the Pacific Northwest.
GARDENS OF GEHENNA
Gardens of Gehenna/the gardens of hell: Synonym for misanthropy; inspired from a remark of Dante, who called the gloomy valleys of his home "the front gardens of hell"; also stands, comparable with ying and yang, for the melting of two seeming opposites into a whole (gardens as a symbol of order and control on one and gehenna/hell, synonymous with chaos, on the other side).
MANDRAKE
The German Band "Mandrake" was brought to life by Lutz de Putter in the wastelands of northern germany ("Ostfriesland") in the late 90..s. In 1998, the self-produced album "forever" was released, presenting the band as a mixture of slow death-metal and elements of the gothic-scene. Female vocals were rare and sung by a guest-vocalist. 1999 Birgit Lau joined the band and her part became bigger and bigger. After several demos, in 2003, Mandrake signed a contract with the label
Greyfall/Prophecy Productions.
The label-debut "calm the seas" was released at the end of 2003. For the first time, this record presents the current line-up with Garvin Bösch on Bass-guitar and Jörg Uken on drums. Live-keyboarder Julius Martinek also became a full member, but soon prefered electric guitars.
The music of Mandrake is voluptuous, sometimes epic, sometimes fragile, supported by "real" strings, low guitars and powered by pounding drums. Above all, the significant voice of Birgit. Lyrics and music often deal with the forces of nature, especially water, and the desire to reach distant shores and galaxies.
On stage, the musicians of "Mandrake" represent themselves as a tight soundwall with heart and brains.
The term mandrake (mandragora) is taken from a poisonous plant which is a symbol for spiritual and supernatural powers.
The new album "The Balance of Blue" will be released on march, 14 th. 2005 Contributions to samplers (Orkus, Legacy a. o.) are on the way, next to 25.000 (!) Promotion CD..s with excerpts of "TBoB" by Prophecy Productions The song "soaked through the skylight" is also featured on the upcoming DVD of the WGT in Leipzig 2004.
MOURNING BELOVETH
Mourning Beloveth began in winter 1992 but it wasn't until 1996 that they recorded thier first, untitled, demo with Darren (vocals), Frank (guitar), Brian (bass), Tim (drums). Recorded in eight hours with Adrian Butler at the desk this demo contains two songs and is a raw indication of where Mourning Beloveth stand today. Adrian joined on bass soon after and Brian switched to guitar. This was the lineup that recorded the highly acclaimed Autumnal Fires demo in 1998 (even receiving "Demo of the issue" in Moondance magazine). Autumnal Fires could be regarded as a 40 minute piece of music as the songs were intertwined with classical piano and it showed a huge progression in the writing and recording stakes. Mainly classed as Doom/Death this was the first steps into achieving a sound of their own and it saw the integration of clean vocals.An extensive tour of Ireland followed being topped off by a support slot to none other than Cathedral in May 1999. Over 1200 copies of Autumnal Fires were sold throughout the undergorund and the MB name spread. Mourning Beloveth, now brimming with confidence and a renewed vigour decided to take a bold step, like so many of their contemporaries, and record in the famous Academy studios with Magz at the helm. What was produced after seven intense days of recording was "Dust", a sixty six minute Doom masterpiece harking back to the days of the early '90's Doom/Death scene. Dust is a mixture of old and new songs and this creates some of the heaviest and most melancholic music ever. The atmosphere and originality is helped by the greater usage of clean and growling vocals and the perfect production.The strength of the material is helped in no small way by the fact that the same lineup has been together for 5 years at the time of recording Dust.
Following the release of their debut album , Dust, in March 2001 Mourning Beloveth received rave reviews in many established magazines including Terrorizer, Metal Hammer (Greece), Heavy Oder,Was, Metal Ireland, Doom-metal.com, Aardshock along with many others, mostly seeing the band as the saviours of the Doom/Death style of the early 90's. On the strength of this they played some high profile dates with none other Cradle of Filth which was huge exposure for the band. Following this MB hit all four corners of Ireland with their inimitable brand of Doom and gained many new fans along the way and even managed to play in Leeds, Bradford (UK). Towards the end of the summer2001 and into the long winter the writing process began for the new album. It was now February and they had eight songs written, six of which were finally chosen and recorded at Academy studios, again with Magz at the helm, from April 20 to May 5, 2002. "The Sullen Sulcus" is a torturous and epic listen that requires the usual MB listening patience and obedience - with six songs over 65 minutes it is not for the feint hearted.
Epic and heavy guitars with a crushing vocal display by both Frank and Darren with an overall growth in melody and production , Mourning Beloveth have shaken off the MDB tag which plagued some reviews of Dust and move into what can simply be called Doom, the Mourning Beloveth way. It was released in December 2002 by Aftermath music and is now available worldwide.
Sentinel Records from Ireland (www.sentinelireland.com)have just re-released Dust with new artwork, a new song from the latest recording sessions and Forever Lost Emeralds (from the Autumnal Fires demo) all of which was remastered by Stuart Anstis.
The American tour happened in August that year and Tim couldn't make it so we enlisted the help of our long time friend Anto who decided to sit on a bus with us for four weeks and play some doom. The tour was initially with Morgion, Orodruin and The Prophecy but after one show Morgion pulled out due to an unfortunate car accident and so it was left to us to headline the four week tour. It was a long and arduous tour with vans breaking down, complete city shutdowns, PA's exploding, heads breaking down and the usual lack of money and sleep, add to that the sweltering heat and you have a nice picture of hell but again the people we met on the road, the great shows at the Junkyard, Stoner hands of Doom, Austin made up for this and we also got to see America. While we were there the split 7" was released and we received a copy while in the US. The first MB piece of vinyl! We recorded a new song entitled Part 1 which was released " with fellow dark metallers Lunar Gate from Ireland. it was recorded in Cosmic studios in Ballymun and gave us some new ideas for our next album and has made its mark as a live song too. It was limited to 500 copies.
When we returned we recharged the batteries for a month and then got down to writing some new material but this was interrupted by another offer of a tour with While Heaven Wept and Thee Plague of Gentlemen starting off at Doom Shall Rise where we played second so how could we refuse. Doom Shall Rise was an amazing experience; you cannot get much better than playing in front of 500 doom heads in a church. While at the DSR festival we met Tom from Grau records and he offered us a deal to release Mourning Beloveth albums but we had a weeklong tour ahead of us and so we concentrated on that. The DSR tour was also our first gigs in Germany as well as Gronigen and an appearance at Belgian Doom Night. This tour was the most successful for us so far. We have become a tight live unit and enjoy ourselves a lot more on stage now but it was also a success due to the fact that we actually came home with some money in our pockets.
Home again for May and we were finding it difficult to write the new material so we decided to set a date of October '04 for the recording of the new album. The songs were sounding a bit different than before and we decided on a new studio following weeks of discussion, finally choosing Studio E in Germany run by Markus Stock. The deadline gave us a goal and so we tried to remember where we left off in January and the new material slowly began to emerge. The contract we had spoken about with Grau on the DSR tour arrived and soon after we became a Grau band for four albums. Time to relax? No!
The writing of the new material was arduous and we had to re-write the songs several times. The music this time round is very bare, naked, almost stripped to its core and the album and lyrical content reflected this. It is still Mourning Beloveth, still two guitars, bass and drums but while more elemental it was also more experimental but only the recording sessions would really tell and so in November 2004 we arrived at Klangschmeide, Studio E in Germany to record what was later to become known as A Murderous Circus.
A Murderous Circus when initially released in April 05 received mixed reactions, a lot of people thought it was our best album yet but some believed the songs were too long so we were a little disappointed. We decided to concentrate on getting the set tight for the next round of touring and in May we played Whelans in Dublin with Primordial to a sell out venue. The atmosphere was amazing that night and gave us great heart about the blossoming new Irish scene. September we played Portugal with our friends Process of Guilt and with the reaction of everyone to the new songs live we felt more confident about AMC. Adrian moved to Spain and so the writing process slowed down for the new album, almost grind to a halt in fact and it was hindered more by the fact that in April 06 we had a tour coming up with Primordial, Moonsorrow and Gardens of Gehennah. That ten day treck around Europe taking in Hungary and Austria, both of which we never played before, really opened up new audiences to us. Hamburg wa s agreat night too. Overall the pagan and black metal people that came to the shows really got in to us after the first song every night and by the end we were heading off stage to slow hand claps and shouts for more The crowds and reactions were amazing and it showed that metallers are sick of the same bands toruing non stop so when a tour comes with bands that play from the heart they really appreciated it which showed in the fact of sell out shows in Holland and Belgium. The usual sleep deprivation wasn't as bad this time as we were fed properly every night and the distances were relatively short but it was hard to sleep in a van when the tour bus beside was rockin out haha…….and so it is down to the new album for the autumn and winter. We have a new song written and a lot of other ideas but that's all we can say for the moment.
LONGING FOR DAWN
Longing For Dawn was formed in winter 2002, in Montreal, Canada by Stefan Laroche (Vocals) and Frederic Arbour (Lead Guitars & Atmospherics). Having both worked together many years before in various bands they set off to play a style they both cherished for many years, namely heavy, atmospheric, Doom laden Metal. They were then joined by long time friends Martin Gagnon to take care of drum duties, Kevin Jones at the bass and Stian Weideborg took the rhythm guitar task.
In late 2003 they entered the studio to start recording their first full length album titled "One Lonely Path". The recording was done sporadically over a one year period at various locations and mixed at the famous Wild Studio by Pierre Rémillard and was finally done by the end of 2004. The album was subsequently released in early 2005 through Canadian label Twilight Foundation, a division of Frederic..s Dark Ambient / Industrial label Cyclic Law. The album quickly received worldwide recognition and highly positive reviews from the international metal press. A few live performances were also done in 2005 in Quebec with great response.
They then set off to find a more suitable label that would help get wider recognition and finally signed a 3 albums deal with German label Grau. This period also saw the replacement of Martin by Sylvain Marquette who took drum duties from late 2003 until late 2005 to then be replaced by François Fortin in early 2006, Kevin was replaced by Etienne Lepage on bass in late 2004 and Stian was also replaced in early 2006 by Simon Carignan on rhythm guitar. Having now found a steady and strong line up they started recording their second album, and first for Grau, in the spring of 2006. This album is planned for release in Autumn 2006.
KEEN OF THE CROW
What's in an omen? Is it a vision of dark deeds soon to become the reckoning of us all? Or is it a calling to take heed, knowing that you have the power to change destiny, for good or for bad intent. In either case, an omen can be of many forms, fashions, or functions. whether you take heed or not?
The band KEEN OF THE CROW of Los Angeles California is one such omen, Keen of the Crow meaning "A Call of/to Death". In many age-old cultures the Raven or Crow is the symbol of misfortune, knowingly death is soon to follow? A name such as this should not be taken lightly; to be so careless may indeed spell your own undoing, would it not?
Like in Alchemy, each element alone is mundane at best. But when each element is combined? Let's just say that Alchemy is a condemned science for a very good reason! MORGION rhythm alumni Rhett Davis and Justin Christian, along with guitarist(s) Seth Arthur and NEPENTHEAN mastermind Ron Slater, and lastly vocalist Dan Ochoa form one such Alchemy. The Aural Alchemy of KEEN OF THE CROW.
To explain this kind of Alchemy is the Bain of any true composer. There is no simple truth or rhyme most notably played. KEEN OF THE CROW is the composite of many great works, the very clay of extremity and dynamic melody. To infuse the light and the dark, the lawlessness of true underground metal (Doom, Death, and Black) and the progressive inclinations of symphonic harmony. An Ode to such acts as NEUROSIS, CELTIC FROST, CANDLEMASS, ANATHEMA, PRIMORDIAL, and MORGION.
There are 2 environments that build the character of any band and/or musician, the first being the studio or recorded environ. When entering Love Juice Labs in the Winter Solstice of 2005' they forged the 3-song opus appropriately titled "PREMONITION". Upon hearing this, GRAU RECORDS quickly penned a 4-album contract with a plan to unleash "PREMONITION" as their Grau Records debut. With the anticipated full-length "HYBOREA" soon to follow, a conceptual album dedicated to the Robert E. Howard persona "Conan of Cimmeria". This conceptual piece themed musically, visually, and literally by both novel and the major motion picture "Conan the Barbarian". To be considered a very momentous undertaking for any debut record is indeed noteworthy.
The second being the stage or live environ, they wasted no time planning 2 tours upon both US Coasts (6 months apart no less!) Quite a prestigious beginning to boast over 16 shows across the continental United States with only a demo under their wing! Over the course of one year KEEN OF THE CROW played with such acts as GREY, ALDEBARAN, MOONSPELL, WORMWOOD, LUDICRA, INTRONAUT, EXHAUSTED PRAYER, GRAVES AT SEA, E.T.T.S., KATATONIA, SELF INFLICTED, RIGOR MORTIS, ROANOKE, RAPID FIRE, DAYLIGHT DIES, NOCTUARY, LOSS, SHROUD OF BEREAVEMENT, SOUL PREACHER, GODLESS RISING, SASQUATCH, OTESANEK, SUMMON, AVENGER OF BLOOD, SEASON OF MOURNING, ASUNDER, SLOUGH FEG, and YAKUZA are just some of the highlights.
In December of 2006' the "PREMONITION" EP shall see its release in a newly packaged form completely re-mastered by Grau Records. While the Spring of 2007' will welcome the release of KEEN OF THE CROW'S debut Full-length LP "HYBOREA". Kris Verwimp, renowned fantasy/conceptual artist shall render the visuals for "HYBOREA.
Being of both warning and trepidation, KEEN OF THE CROW is an omen to indeed take heed. So do not be mistaken, for only the foolish know not what they covet.
MAEL MÓRDHA
Formed in January 1998 by Roibéard Ó Bogail (vocals, pianos, whistles, and bodhran) in some little known rehearsal studio Mael Mórdha (pronounced MAIL MOOR-AH) have undergone the arduous journey from the unknown, to the front lines of Irish Metal. Playing a unique blend of doom metal and traditional Irish laments, the band has successfully fused their influences to create Gaelic Doom Metal.
The musical evolution began in 1999 with the recording of the 1st EP - The Path to Insanity. This was followed in early 2000 by The Inferno Spreads from which the epic Atlas of Sorrow was included in the Sentinel Records "In Unison" compilation later that year. Around this time the band lost both its guitar players who were replaced by Gerry Clince. The band then concentrated on the live scene in Ireland playing everywhere possible. During this time and after numerous bass player problems the services of Pagan Reign bassist Dave Murphy was called upon to breath new life into the band. The following year and with a distinctive sound beginning to form the band recorded its 2002 release, Caoineadh na nGael to critical acclaim with positive reviews in German Metal Hammer (Demo of the month - August 2003) and German Rock Hard (May 2004). With still more line-up changes on the horizon the quest to find a permanent drummer ended with the arrival of Shane Cahill in early 2003. The band then began writing new material, which was committed to disk in late 2003 in the guise of the Cluain Tarbh E.P. The final addition to the band came in mid 2005 with Anthony Lindsay (also of Pagan Reign) to bring the band back up to a twin guitar line-up.
On the strength of the band's last two recordings the band was signed to Dutch label Karmageddon Media who released the band's debut album, Cluain Tarbh on the 12th of September 2005. An alternative recording of the album title track was released on a 7" vinyl limited edition through Sentinel Records in the winter of 2005.
In the quest to find a more active label the band recorded a demo cd of songs proposed for a new album in November of 2005. This recording finally found it's way to the desk of German Record Company Grau. Months of negotiating between both band and label bore fruit as in Februaury 2006 contracts were finally signed.
Mael Mórdha's debut album release through Grau Records will be recorded at the end of April/start of May 2006 and is to be titled Gealltacht Mael Mórdha.
Internationally know bands which Mael Mórdha have had the pleasure of playing with include Green Carnation, Dismember, Ancient Rites, My Dying Bride, Primordial, Cruachan, Abaddon Incarnate, Mourning Beloveth, Waylander, Geasa.
SATURNUS
In 1991 lead-vocalist Thomas A.G. Jensen started looking for people to start a death-metal band. He hooked up with bass-player Brian Hansen who was also looking for people into the same act. After a few months the band (at that time called "Assesino") was joined by a drummer and guitarist.
In 1992 the drummer was replaced and an additional guitarist entered the band. In the following year a number of musicians entered and left the band.
In 1993 the people of Assesino were Thomas A.G. Jensen (vocal), Brian Hansen (bass), Christian Brenner (guitar), Pouli Choir (drums), Kim Sindahl (guitar). The band played at a metal-competition (Judgment Day) in BarBue (Huset, Cph.) and ended up second out of eight bands. Shortly after the band split up and Thomas, Brian and Kim Sindahl found a new drummer, Jesper Saltoft. A month later Kim Sindahl left the band and guitarist Mikkel Andersen joined in. It would not be long after Mikkel joined the band that a keyboard player was found, his name Anders Ro Nielsen. At this time the name "Assesino" was replaced by Saturnus.
In 1994 guitarist Kim Larsen entered the band making it a sextet. It was round these days the group left death-metal to play more doomy stuff ("Astral Dawn" is a reminiscent of the elder period of SATURNUS).
In 1995 guitarist Mikkel Andersen left the band but he has continued to be an active lyric-writer. The band played a number of gigs in Copenhagen with other Danish metal-acts.
Early in 1996 the band played a gig with British My Dying Bride. The impact of this meeting lead to a further change of style, and during 1996 SATURNUS developed their present sound, the slow, melancholic mixture of doom and gothic metal.
At the end of the year the band was signed to Euphonious Records (a division of Voices of Wonder), and in January 1997 "Paradise Belongs to You" was released. At the same time guitarist Morten Skrubbeltrang entered the band making it once again a sextet with the following line-up : Thomas (vocal), Brian Hansen (bass), Jesper Saltoft (drums), Anders (keyboards), Kim Larsen (guitar) and Morten Skrubbeltrang (guitar).
During the first half of 1997 the group played a number of show in Copenhagen. The most renown of these was a 5 hour gig in Sct. Stefan's Church on Good-Friday, the inside of the church was covered in white sheets, upon which different images was projected, the band was supported by a live classical choir of 20 women.
On the 29th of June 1997 the band played yet another memorable show, Saturnus entered the stage in front of 3000 fans at the Roskilde Festival. The show climaxed with the songs Christ Goodbye/The rise of Nakkiel played together with an 8 piece choir conducted by Morten Skrubbeltrang. The Roskilde show was recorded by Norwegian Radio (NRK), was be broadcast in Scandinavian Radio during spring 1998 and lastly christ/nakkiel was featured on the mini-cd "For the loveless lonely nights".
Come august '98 and Morten Skrubbeltrang left Saturnus to play some of his funky shit yeah. Peter Poulsen entered immediatly...
The work on "Martyre" had actually already begun at the time "paradise" was finished, in the beginning of 1999, Saturnus began looking for a studio and a producer, enter Flemming Rasmussen and The Sweet Silence Studios, Flemming is of course the guy who produced the now classic Metallica albums "Ride the lightning", "Master of Puppets" and "...And justice for all".
The album was recorded during april/maj 1999, but due to tons of weird happenings the album release date was constantly postponed, it finally saw the light of day on january 10.
The band went on the road for the last half of 1999, a few dates abroad and some around in Denmark. come the end of 1999 things took a turn as Kim, Brian and Jesper chose to leave Saturnus.
The show must go on and it certainly does, in the first quarter of the new millennium, Saturnus was seriously strengthened by the addition of Morten Plenge on drums, Tais Pedersen on guitar and Peter Heede on bass.
To further strenghten their position with their fans, Saturnus played a "we're still alive" show on may the 18th at Stengade 30 in Copenhagen, there is no doubt, Saturnus has NEVER been stronger, their fans NEVER more loyal.