“Shadowlands”, the Netherland’s GRACELESS’ debut album from 2017, has been reissued by Listenable Records with two bonus tracks. And what a debut album it is! Featuring band founder Remco Kreft (vocals, guitars), Bjorn (guitars), Jasper Aptroot (bass) and Marc Verhaar (drums), this Death Metal band released their first album with confidence and aplomb. It’s an album that has no ridges, no rough-around-the-edges musicianship, no bad production. Its solid nature is a welcome entry into the beginning of the band’s catalog. The opener ‘Shadowlands’ erupts immediately with chugging guitars, steady drumming and raspy, gurgly vocals that mean business. There’s a power here that draws you in without warning, enveloping you in its aural destructiveness. ‘Legions Of The Fallen’ is a goddamn brutal force of nature. Remco’s vocals alone are fucking bloodcurdling. But the guitars and drums are syncopated in such a commanding way that compels the listener to want to just run rampant in the streets and destroy things. The third track ‘Slashed And Served’ is a doom-laden delivery at the beginning that reminds me a little of AUTOPSY as it traipses its way through all its angst and vengeful nature. ‘Heroin Filled Veins’, ‘Sumerian Flames’ and ‘We Will Be Gods’ alternate between modern Death Metal riffs to slow, sludgy droning guitars and back again. ‘Die On Demand’ will get your sorry ass off your feet if you’re slacking around, as ‘Iron Tears’ will keep you on those feet in a violent frenzy. ‘When The Last Light Fades’ wraps up the regular album before ‘Ruins Of Desolation’ and ‘King Ov Pain’ (no, not the goddamn POLICE) end it all as bonus tracks. “Shadowlands” is a damn fine debut from the GRACELESS boys. And as of this writing in 2023, the band definitely hasn’t lain dormant due to multiple releases. With a solidly enjoyable, head-crushing album as their first full-length, here’s hoping for many more releases from these Death Metal masters. For more info, check out www.facebook.com/graceless.osdm, www.facebook.com/listenablerecs