Release Date March 20th, 2026
Format CD/Digital
Genre Black/Death Metal
Origin Austria
Hailing from the concrete landscape of Linz, Austria, Graufar emerged in 2020 and wasted zero time establishing a reputation for cold, calculated aggression. After dropping a debut that raised eyebrows, they proved their mettle by conquering the Wacken Metal Battle in their home country and cracking the top ten at the main event in Germany. They aren't interested in being another face in the crowd; they have spent the last few years sharpening their blades in the independent circuit, proving that the underground is where the real spirit of extremity still lives and breathes.
Forget the over-hyped labels and the bands with massive marketing budgets. "Via Necropolis" is easily one of the best black metal albums you’ll hear this year, and it’s coming from a place of total independence. There is a certain level of gatekeeping in the scene, and let’s be real: if these Austrians had a different, more "established" name on the cover, the entire black elite would be talking about this album already. Instead, they are doing it the hard way, which only makes the music feel more authentic.
Their debut album "Scordalus" except of a great album too, the title reminds us, the Greeks of that pungent garlic sauce (for the sake of humor). Much like that sauce, Graufar’s music is sharp, stinging, and leaves a lasting impression that you can't just wash away. They took that foundation and built something far more lethal here. The underground consistently produces the most vital releases because there are no suits telling the musicians to tone down the vitriol.
"Via Necropolis" is a vicious amalgamation of styles that refuses to be boxed in. You get the icy, tremolo-picked atmosphere of black metal colliding head-on with the muscular, rhythmic force of death metal. The vocal performance switches between harrowing screams and guttural lows, perfectly matching the lyrical descent into social decay and the inevitability of the grave. It’s an uncompromising trip through the darker side of human nature, stripped of any forced optimism.
The musicianship is top-tier without being pretentious. The solos are urgent and pierce through the gloom, while the grooves have enough swing to keep your head moving even when the tempo hits breakneck speeds. They manage to weave in melodic threads that don't feel soft; they just make the bleak atmosphere feel more expansive. It’s a grim, cold record that sounds exactly like a band that has spent their time in the trenches rather than a sterile studio. At the end of the day, Graufar has crafted a monster. This is a high-octane assault that demands respect. If you’re tired of the same three bands being rotated on every festival lineup, do yourself a favor and dive into this.
| 9.0
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