Release Date 2026
Format Bloody-Gold Vinyl (Limited to 500 copies)
Genre Death Metal, Groove Metal, Covers
Origin USA
Formed as a side project that eventually became a full-time obsession, Six Feet Under rose from the Florida swamps when Chris Barnes left Cannibal Corpse. This crew quickly carved out a niche by stripping death metal down to its barest, grooviest essentials. Instead of trying to win a speed contest, they focused on a mid-tempo stomp that invited headbanging instead of a math exam. By the time they decided to record a collection of covers, they had already established a signature sound defined by low-end rumble and those infamous guttural vocals.
"Graveyard Classics 1" is a weird beast that should probably come with a warning label for purists. The band takes legendary anthems and drags them through a field of Florida weeds. Hearing "Holocaust" or "TNT" filtered through a death metal lens is jarring, but it works because the band doesn't overthink the process. They keep the structures intact while layering on a tone that is heavy enough to sink a ship. It is a tribute to the old school, played by guys who clearly spent their youth worshipping at the altar of heavy rock and early metal.
The transition from the punk energy of "Stepping Stone" to the classic heavy metal gallop of "Son Of A Bitch" shows a band having a blast. There is a certain level of arrogance required to take a song like "Smoke On The Water" and turn it into a swampy crawl, and "Graveyard Classics 1" has that in spades. The riffs are simple and effective, staying true to the source material while the vocals provide a constant reminder of where this band's loyalties lie. It is not sophisticated, but it provides a great deal of entertainment for anyone who appreciates a different perspective on the hits.
This vinyl reissue on Brutal Planet Records finally gives the album the presentation it deserves. The bloody gold wax is a nice touch for collectors who want their shelves to look as lethal as the music. The addition of the "Grinder" cover as a bonus is a major win, as it fits perfectly with the rest of the tracklist. The mastering for this format keeps the low end prominent without losing the definition of the guitars, making the experience of spinning this record feel authentic and heavy.
While some might find the vocal style over songs like "Purple Haze" or "California Über Alles" to be an acquired taste, the sheer commitment to the bit is admirable. This isn't a parody; it is a heavy-handed transformation of the songs that built the foundation of the scene. It takes guts to mess with "Blackout" or "Sweet Leaf," and the band manages to do it while keeping the spirit of the originals alive. It is a fun, heavy trip through a record collection that every metalhead should recognize.
For those who want to hear the classics through a distorted, down-tuned filter, this release is a mandatory acquisition. It bridges the gap between the stadium anthems of the seventies and the brutality of the nineties. With only 500 copies of this specific vinyl version existing, it serves as a cool artifact for the die-hard fans. It captures a specific moment in time when one of the biggest names in the genre decided to stop being serious and just play the songs they loved.
Damage done @: 7.5
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