Free Metals: Old Graves - Like Straining Boughs

Old Graves is a one-man atmospheric black metal project from Abbotsford, British Columbia. If you think that maybe Alcest and
Lantlôs have gone a bit too soft lately, then Like Straining Boughs should be right up your alley.

The intro to "The Short Way Home" features an instrument not too commonly heard in black metal - the acoustic guitar. It's also used on other parts of the record, adding an extra layer of depth and emotion.

There's a bit of a melodic death metal vibe going on throughout "Ashen Sleep," feeling triumphant one moment and sad and lonely the next. The instrumental "Emerald Dream, " a placid and hazy reverie that wouldn't seem out of place on a My Bloody Valentine album, calms things down considerably, skillfully setting us up for the finale. "She Was A Silhouette Against The Sunlight," the highlight of this record, combines key elements from the first three songs to build something greater than the sum of its parts.

Like Straining Boughs is available from the Old Graves bandcamp page and can be downloaded for the "Name Your Price" option here.