MÄRVEL - GRACES CAME WITH MALICE

#reciew

BAND Märvel

ALBUM Graces Came With Malice

LABEL The Sign Records

OUT April 22nd, 2022

OUR RATING 82/100

Formed in 2002, the swedish masked power-trio have made a name with their songs and intense gigs.

After 8 studio albums out, countless gigs and tours, now it’s time for their 9th full length studio album entitled “Graces Came With Malice” and avalaible on THE SIGN RECORDS.

Released as part of the bands’ 20th year anniversary, the new material is stronger than ever, moving from high octane Märvel tracks, to more laid back classic rock hits, ”Graces Came With Malice” is a 10 track collection of Scandinavian rock music at its finest , with catchy songwriting, stand out layered vocals, blasting riffs and piercing melodies.

Märvel was formed in 2002 when John Steen (The King), Ulrik Bostedt (Speedo) and Tony Samuelsson (The Vicar) spent a high school exchange year in Colorado, USA. Ditching classes, drinking beer and playing rock n roll in the garage gave the world “Marvellous”, their first EP. The band got airtime on several college radio stations before they left the USA and returned to Sweden with lousy grades, but high spirits. Two other vinyl EP’s (“Heroine Tracks” & “Bedlam at the Embassy”) were released the following years through Swedish indie labels.

Between 2003 and 2011, the band started honing their skills and image by playing live and recording three albums. Constant touring and airplay during the period helped the band to build a very loyal fanbase in Europe.

With the release of their third full length album “Warhawks of War”, Märvel went through some changes. The earlier superhero gimmick was abandoned in favor of new and more iconic personas, The King, The Vicar and Speedo. A second live bass player, The Aviator, was also added to the line up. The band fully stepped into the new characters by also adopting them live on stage. “Warhawks of War” was released in 2011 and marked a big step forward for the band in terms of sound and strong material. It also featured the guest stars Strings (Dundertåget, Hellacopters) and Dregen (Backyard Babies, Hellacopters, Michael Monroe).

In 2012, Speedo (Ulrik Bostedt) was replaced by Burgher (Ulrik Bostedt). Filled with youthful raw energy, and with a unique style, Burgher helped catapult the band even further while touring Germany, France and Spain to promote the Warhawks album.

After touring with Dregen in 2013, the band returned to the studio to record “Hadal Zone Express”. The album was released 28th of March 2014 to a never ending stream of praise. In the fall, the band recorded a mini album, with Fred Estby,“The Hills Have Eyes”. The title track along with a cover of W.A.S.P’s L.O.V.E. Machine made a big fuzz and got frequent air time.

In 2017, the band partnered with The Sign Records, and the first release was the seventh album “at the Sunshine Factory”, the first Märvel album to be recorded fully by themselves in their own newly established studio, Solskensfabriken. The second release was a cheeky cover album, “Guilty Pleasures”, featuring songs from a wide spectrum of artists such as Dire Straits, Agnetha Fältskog, REO Speedwagon and Monster Magnet.

Ten new songs in this platter opened by SLASHER WITH A BROKEN HEART, where Swedish RNR meets indie vibes, and THE DISASTER.

SOUNDS OF LIFE SLIPPING AWAY is more rhythmic, enriched by 80’s vibes and by a gorgeous solo, while GREAT MAN is really powerful, brilliant and effective.

A lot of harmony in the title-track, while ONE COMMON ENEMY is another fresh RNR track.

They go on with SORRY STATE OF AFFAIRS where we can hear the influence of THIN LIZZY, while LIZARD’S TONGUE works wonderfully.

HOT NITE IN DALLAS is one of our favorite followed by QUEEN FOR A DAY that ends in the best way an ALBUM THAT WE RECOMMEND!!!

LINE UP

The King GT VC

The Burgher BG

The Vicar DR

TRACKLIST

Slasher With a Broken Heart 3:37

The Disaster 3:30

Sound of Life Slipping Away 3:45

Great Man 3:21

Graces Came With Malice 3:49

One Common Enemy 3:31

Sorry State of Affairs 2:56

Lizard's Tongue 3:37

Hot Nite in Dallas 2:54

Queen for a Day 4:44

Palmer Turner Overdrive