'Hisingen Blues', the second album from Gothenburg's Graveyard, picks up from where 2008's excellent self-titled debut left off. This band deals in doom-tinged, bluesy psychedelic rock with a firm nod to the late 60's/early 70's. Recorded using entirely analogue equipment, this album, as with the first album, captures the rawness and warmth those classic early 70's rock recordings had, whether it be heavyweights such as Purple or Sabbath, or the more obscure cult classics such as Leaf Hound or Sir Lord Baltimore.

'Ain't Fit To Live Here' kicks the album off in fine, up-tempo style, a groovy belter that swings as well as rocks. 'No Good, Mr. Holden', opening with some sinister backwards vocals, is a classy and powerful slow blues with a doomy flavour to it, with subtle verses and big passionate choruses, a format that also applies to the excellent (and brilliantly titled!) 'Uncomfortably Numb' which evokes the spirit of 'Tons Of Sobs'-era Free for me.

Joakim Nilsson has a very powerful, soulful voice that can have a sinister twist to it, especially when he's screaming lyrics like "Oh Lucifer Come Take My Hand" in the rocking title track 'Hisingen Blues' which, musically at least, has the vibe of some of the early Soundtrack Of Our Lives stuff. This is less surprising when you learn that the album was produced by Don Alsterberg who has previously worked with the Soundtracks.

Talking of soundtracks, the odd instrumental 'Longing', nestled in the middle of the album, takes things off on another tangent completely, with its haunting, whistling melody making it sound like Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac doing a soundtrack to a horror western film, if there was ever such a thing. 'RSS' is another irresistibly groovy swinger, perhaps the album's most commercial moment, and reminiscent of 'Lost In Confusion', one of the finest moments from the first album. 'The Siren' meanwhile arguably saves the best till last. An epic sounding heavy blues that once again has an early Free feel to it in places, building to a vicious yet soulful chorus with Joakim screaming in suitably sinister fashion "Tonight A Demon Came Into My Head, And Tried To Choke Me In My Dream". The track builds to a rousing, wild crescendo with some fine drumming and guitar soloing providing a fitting finale to a great album.

'The Siren', 'Mr. Holden' & 'Uncomfortably Numb' illustrate the progression the band have made from the first album. The blues influence is greater, there are more dynamics to the songs, and there's a bit more soul and feel to the tracks. At the same time, the band have retained the raw energy and sinister doomy undertones to their sound.

If you're a fan of authentic sounding, early 70's influenced classic rock with a dark twist then you'll love this album. Now signed to big boys Nuclear Blast, Graveyard have produced an album that's sure to raise their profile over the coming year. Although readily available as download and CD, 'Hisingen Blues' is one of those albums that has got "vinyl" written all over it. The hardest choice you'll have to make is whether to go for the green or clear vinyl edition!

http://www.myspace.com/graveyardsongs