Graveland are Polish black metal band which was formed in 1992 by Rob Darken (born Robert Fudali). The lyrics of Graveland are strongly Viking metal—inspired by nature, darkness, battles/war, Paganism, Celtic beliefs, Heathenism, Norse mythology, and Slavic mythology.
Darken, who started Graveland as a solo project in 1992, was influenced by bands such as Bathory and Emperor. He recorded the first demos, Necromanteion and Drunemeton, working alone. In 1993, drummer Maciej "Capricornus" Dąbrowski joined the band, which then recorded In the Glare of Burning Churches. In 1994 the two were joined by Grzegorz "Karcharoth" Jurgielewicz (previously of Infernum) and recorded The Celtic Winter, which was released as an EP by the German label No Colours Records. No Colours currently releases the band's new albums.
The Jester Race is the second studio album by melodic death metal band In Flames. It is the first album to feature Anders Fridén as the band's vocalist and Björn Gelotte as the drummer. A video for the song "Artifacts of the Black Rain" was also released. It was also the first album to feature the Jester Head, the band's mascot.
After releasing The Jester Race, the band then toured with Samael, Grip Inc. and Kreator. The album was the band's second full-length album released following the more mainstream success of the 1995 EP, Subterranean. The Jester Race was recorded at Studio Fredman by Fredrik Nordström, who also contributed keyboards for the album.
This album ranked #79 on the website Metal Rules' list of 100 Greatest Metal Albums. It is also considered a classic album of the Gothenburg style of metal, along with At the Gates' Slaughter of the Soul and Dark Tranquillity's The Gallery, exhibiting the dual guitar leads, growled vocals and acoustic sections typical of the genre.
Cold winds bring me the memories
Dark feelings arise in my wind
I remember when I was watching
In your mystic red eyes, master !
I remember when you gave me this secret
and I got eternal immortality
We were drinking human blood
We became the Dark Evil beast
Like the spirits without bodies
We were flying in the sky
Our hearts we've lost in dust
Then other dimension invited us !
EVIL - it sounds like nocturnal howling
of wolves thirsty for the blood
Darkness - it looks like an ultimate
form of everlasting night
BLOOD - it tastes like a wine
from the blackest grapes of sin
And I known the final destiny
I saw the dark gates of graveland
So I entered the world of Darkness
Where the sun has died in the past
Walking by the path of another world
I kiss the magical Arcan...
And now we are the same again
with my Great - Master - Baphomet !
I used the Powers of Darkness
for my spiritual rebirth
Light of Lucifer inflamed my way
So I'll be back like funeral wind...