Review by Adam M on August 5, 2015.

The band Holy Grail has a large classical metal influence present in their sound. It’s a combination of the thrash of Heathen and the traditional metal of Mercyful Fate that sticks out to this listener. The songs are all potent and don’t overstay their welcome to have listening impact.

While the vocalist sounds largely like the one from the aforementioned Heathen, it’s some of the song structures that are traditional-sounding. This album will be a pleasant surprise for those looking for a re-imagination of the classics. There is a vitality and power to these songs that makes them endearing. The powers of the yesteryear are all channeled into the appropriate avenues for this work. The band has also been blessed with the ability to carry a riff melody nicely throughout an entire song. Some of the guitar riffs will remain ingrained in your brain for ages to come. The realm of quality is also kept up throughout the majority of this release. The biggest downside of this album is that it has little innovation or progressiveness. While it makes good use of the sound of classic material, the band doesn’t quite do enough to complete distance themselves as a unique act. Also, while I’ve compared them Heathen, this album falls a bit short of The Evolution of Chaos in the classical metal stakes. Regardless, with songs as good as Dark Passenger, there is very little to find fault with here.

You’ll be captivated by the skill of the musicianship as well, with a variety of solid instrumental performances to be found here. People looking to fill a void of older metal releases will easily find their missing piece here. Ride the Void comes recommended for any fan of the heritage of heavy metal and how that impacts modern day recordings.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by JD on June 26, 2013.

I remember the days when Denim, leather, a long mane of hair and one awesome set of studs on your arm and a well-worn Iron Maiden T-shirt told the world that you’re a metalhead… the golden age some might muse – I happen to disagree.  Some of this is true today, but the fire still burns for the heaviness nonetheless. I have come across an album that NWOBHM/traditional Metal back without one hint of being dated.

Holy Grailcame about when a couple of people left rockers White Wizzard and got together with others to create classic metal with a bit of a twist.  Old school Metal blended with Power metal and just a pinch of newer metal – the results are an album that is true to all things that are metal in always, and still is relevant today.

There is so much here to be impressed with, that it is hard to write.  With technical impressiveness and a amazing song writing style – Holy Grail seems to be one of the few bands out there who combine this much musicality and technical impressiveness into everything. To highlight this fact, one should listen to either the infectious Dark Passenger or the very impressive Silence the Scream – both songs show a band that is gelled and is ready to rock your ass off.

With hooks-a-plenty, and strikingly incredible musicianship to match up with – Holy Grail is one band that few could match up with.  I think we all need a Holy Grail – but mine comes on a CD and rocks the shit out of me.  What about you?  Buy this album and you just might find the lords of Metal rather than the lord himself…. without the confessional.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 10
Originality: 9
Production: 9
Overall: 9

Rating: 9.2 out of 10

Review by Felix on December 20, 2022.

First things first, Graceless from the Netherlands still play death metal. They did not change their style, not the smallest detail. I admit this is no surprise – and its consequence is that there are also not many surprises to find on Chants From Purgatory. But predictability is not bad per se and an experimental mentality is no value in itself. The four-piece does what it likes to do and so I score first plus points in terms of integrity. The production adds more positive aspects. Album number three sounds extremely heavy, tight and direct. Its guitar sound is not ridiculously low-tuned, but still brutal and voluminous. But to avoid misunderstandings, I have to mention that this sound does not exclude desperate, melancholic or even melodic tone sequences. Finally, everything is well-balanced, especially the double bass does not lack pressure.

As I sad before, the album does not hold many surprises, but the opener offers an unexpected turn. The main part of the slow-moving and smoothly flowing 'Giants' forms already a worthy introduction to the full-length, but the song achieves some extra percent of quality after the break at 4:13 and the following, highly dynamic section. It marks a great contrast to the laboriously advancing first section. This strong opener has to fight with 'Saint' for the crown, because this song is another perfect steamroller with highly appreciated double bass thunder. Graceless plough slowly and with maximum effort through the crusted earth. The minimalist melody lines arise out of nowhere and quickly crumble back to dust and ashes, but not without first leaving an impressive trail. Words and music go perfectly hand in hand and already the solo at the beginning reflects the fatalistic state of mind of the “Saint (of Treason)”.

The remaining tracks deliver safety first death metal. Do not get me wrong, safety first is always a good motto. Graceless avoid weak moments and stale parts. Additionally, they have a knack for compactness, the songs always come directly to the point and do not bore with massive repetitions. I am absolutely not disappointed - nevertheless, these six tracks would have benefited from a more menacing touch or a more morbid undertone. Maybe the band should not leave the composing to Remco Kreft alone. Doubtlessly, he does a good job (as composer, lyrics writer, lead vocalist and guitar player), but a few impulses from the other guys could be an invigorating element. The boys could also press the gas pedal more often. However, Chants From Purgatory satisfies the needs of death metal lunatics and even though there is still room for improvement, I cannot identify a really feeble point here. And do not forget that death metal is not my favourite genre – convinced death heads can and will add some percentage points to my rating.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10