Not your average churchgoers
Swedish hard rock band Graveyard have been around since 2006 but have only recently begun gaining critical acclaim over the last couple of years, most notably after they released their second album Hisingen Blues (NB 2768-6). Initially released in March 2011 on Nuclear Blast Records, the album was reissued in May 2012. My copy is the half and half beige and green variant which is limited to 500 copies. Both pressings were released in a multitude of colours (a collectors nightmare or dream come true?!?).
The album itself is pretty good; plenty of bluesy rock here for all you Zeppelin fans and it feels like it's sincere, rather than forced. There's a bit of psych thrown in for good measure as well and overall is a quality record. If someone said it was released in 1975, you'd believe them.
So, onto the record. As said earlier, there were a whole series of different coloured vinyl for this album. I've tried to detail them all below but feel free to drop me a comment if any of this is wrong! These are the European pressings only!
First pressing (2011)
- Clear w/ White & Blue Splatter
- Black (Stranded)
- Black (Nuclear Blast)
- Beige (Beige, 500 only)
- Bronze
- Blue (100 only, hand numbered)
- Clear (500 only)
- Green (500 only)
- White
Second pressing (2012)
- 5 colour splatter (on white vinyl, 500 only)
- 2 colour splatter (on white vinyl, 500 only)
- Half and half (green and beige, 500 only)
- Red (500 only)
Third pressing (2013)
- Orange (150 only, hand numbered)
- Purple (100 only, exclusive repress available for Nuclear Blast bronze status members)
Phew!
This album is well worth the money, not only from a musical perspective but also the overall package. The matt gatefold sleeve is printed on thick card and features a gritty, grainy picture of the band on the inside. The rear of the sleeve has a rather helpful message: "We suggest that you play this record at the highest possible volume in order to fully appreciate the sound of Graveyard". Nice. Two double sided coloured inners are included; a 'Nuclear Blast Highlights' sheet with information about the label's releases and the other details the band lineup, album credits and several more band shots and drawings. The heavyweight vinyl is housed in a poly-lined inner and it's the record itself that really stands out. I'm a big fan of half and half vinyl and this beige and green variant looks the part. The labels are basic with tracklistings and Nuclear Blast logos on each side. A fine piece of plastic.
This album is brilliant, if you're into your 70's blues rock you'll love this. Check out the video for the title track below.
Tracklisting
Side 1
Ain't Fit To Live Here
No Good, Mr Holden
Hisingen Blues
Uncomfortably Numb
Side 2
Buying Truth (Tack & Förlåt)
Longing
Ungrateful Are The Dead
Rss
The Siren
Matrixes
Side 1 – BB28399-01 A1 HL NB 2716-1
Side 2 – BB28399-01 B2 HL NB 2716-1
