Review by Adam on September 25, 2002.

Darkane have taken thrash metal to a whole new level. Their third album, "Expanding Senses", melds together the brutality of "Rusted Angel" and the aggressiveness of "Insanity" while managing to introduce some new elements as well. Darkane take melodic thrash metal to the very limits making them, for me, one of the important metal bands of the new millennium.

"Expanding Senses" is not too different from Darkane's previous works, however, the band have made several new additions and alterations to their sound making it that much more dynamic. One of the most evident improvements would have to be the vocals. This has to be one of the best metal vocal performances of the year! This guy has an amazing range that was only slightly touched upon on the group's last effort. Darkane have also decided to include some keyboards this time around. Even though they are used sparingly, when they do show up, they definitely make the most of it.

The music on this record is exceptional. Although the band's faster songs are still top notch, it is the band's more mid-tempo material that shines through the most. This shift in dynamics makes the record that much more enjoyable to listen to. Some of the more melodic choruses are incredibly catchy and will have you humming them in your head for days. Ever since I heard the song 'Rusted Angel' I have been waiting for another ending as heavenly as the one on that track, and this time we are treated to two remarkably stunning song endings. One of these songs ends with a classical guitar outro even your grandmother would worship.

The musicianship of this band is first class. Like I said before, the vocals are just phenomenal especially on tracks such as 'Submission' and 'Violence From Within'. As always Peter Wildoer does a superb job on the drums and the guitar playing is amazing. The production quality is also outstanding. The sound is very fat and brutal yet extremely clear so you can hear each instrument perfectly.

This is definitely Darkane's best work to date. "Expanding Senses" has something for nearly every metal fan to enjoy. If you like thrash metal, then this disc is absolutely essential. This is album of the year material right here folks. Buy now!

Bottom Line: Fans of extreme metal and brutal death need this! Fans of melodic death metal should buy this as well! Turn this up until your ears bleed!

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Originality: 10
Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 10
Production: 10
Overall: 10

Rating: 10 out of 10

Review by Faithless on February 19, 2020.

Hold Back The Dawn from the Spanish death metal heretics of Graveyard drove me through a bottomless pit full of unspeakable abominations that only want to drain you of your life. A very interesting and enjoyable listen indeed; fans of old school death metal with Swedish and very obscure vibes be ready to rejoice.

After spinning Hold Back The Dawn several times I came to the conclusion that this is a declaration of principles from Graveyard, a semper fidelis statement to death metal and its darkest approach. Just taking a look to the front cover (unspeakable horrors coming from a graveyard to possess worthless human lives) and you can tell these guys are not writing songs about romance, love or peace. Themes vary from damnation, death to summoning eternal darkness upon mankind; they hit the nail of what old school death metal should be. The songwriting structure leads you to a mood where light is impenetrable and the production creates a cavernous and somber atmosphere.

“Destroy the world so we may be in death forever free” growls the singer in the track 'Winds Like Daggers' that from the double guitars to the general songwriting execrates old school Swedish death metal omens. I guess the best way to picture their sound is to put Grave and Unleashed in a blender and mix them with some Lovecraftian spices. You can find evidence of this depiction of their sound in the song called 'Of Extant Cults And Living Terrors'. Do not expect ultra-fast brutality here, Graveyard keeps it slow dark and ominous. The doomy approach is omnipresent in all the album's general ambient. It is not a gimmick to sound evil, it is the sound the band has developed through their career.

In my opinion, the whole album is a 10 out of 10 for the competent musicianship in all departments, cavernous and grim atmosphere that depict decadent landscapes and old school death metal vibes. As I said before, if you are new to the genre and you're looking for complex technique, fast songs or innovative/modern death metal on this album, well, you should look elsewhere. On their latest release Graveyard offers  a more nostalgic approach to honor those bands that once dominated the catacombs of the underground but now only live by their names.

Highlights: 'The Storm Above (Port Sulphur)', 'O Beast I Fear Thy Name' and 'Madre De La Noche'

Rating: 10 out of 10