Asgrauw: Ancient regional myths

Groesbeek was almost completely destroyed during World War II, the inhabitants were evacuated. The band Asgrauw from Groesbeek plays black metal for the benefit of many. Others will probably find the music of Asgrauw devastating ?! Asgrauw translated into English is Ash gray.

The Dutch band Asgrauw is influenced by the great 90’s Scandinavian hordes. Asgrauw has recorded their third full length, Gronspech. The oil painted cover that does remind of the great Ulver trilogy shows what Gronspech is about. It can be seen as a concept-album performed in both Dutch and local Groesbeek dialect. The lyric is-about ancient regional myths. A direction that Asgrauw’s drummer Batr has already embarked on with his old bands Sagenland and Meslamtaea. Asgrauw employs two vocalists in their recordings, which gives a lot of variety in vocal styles.

The diverse interplay between Vaal’s cold shrieks and Kaos’ angry barks are alternated with mesmerizing spoken words, which are very much emphasized on Gronspech. Asgrauw relies on a dark and bleak atmosphere with piercing guitars and haunting synths that are strengthened with powerful and energetic riffs and heavy drums. Although Asgrauw has that typical 90’s melancholic black metal vibe, this band is unafraid of breaking the boundaries.

Gronspech shows a more peculiar and adventurous side of this band, taking it to a another direction. The album portrays the dark aspects of nature, while hateful punk-influences are not avoided. Also slow-paced tunes are present, although it never takes long before hell breaks loose again! The band is hailing from the mythological border regions of Gelderland, The Netherlands.

Asgrauw delves deeper into their local myths and sagas on this third black metal monument. Asgrauw pays hommage to the classic sound of the 90s, combining fierce aggression by the two vocalists, with transcendental atmosphere through a subtle layer of synths. But by no means a simple copy, the experienced masters behind Asgrauw skillfully invoke spirits of the past with a focus on guitar riffs, well-written hymns and precise execution.

The result is a traditional and sinister chapter, all produced and recorded by the band themselves, topped with a cover which an original commissioned oil painting by J. Putnam (Irrwisch). Indeed, Asgrauw hails Gronspech!

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