In the summer of 2006, John Walker frontman and guitarist in the legendary British Death Metal band CANCER, along with Adrian de Buitléar, ex bassist in Mourning Beloveth (Ireland) started a new European metal band called LIQUID GRAVEYARD.
With Raquel Walker on vocals, shifting between a full of menace growl, stunning soprano highs and semi-spoken tones, and, this would be an Avantgarde/Progressive death metal act, although the Old School Death Metal references are always noticeable.
LIQUID GRAVEYARD has been described as hybrid metal hitting on many different styles (doom thrash, death, goth, avantgarde) but keeping within its core a developing sound that has great potential.
Working with LUGGA MUSIC PRODUCTIONS since 2007, the band recorded the only demo so far “Criministers”, in 2008 with former drummer Mark O’Connell who tragically passed away.
This demo got them signed to the Italian record label MY KINGDOM MUSIC to release their first album “On Evil Days”. With a new drummer, the album was finally recorded in April 2009, at SADMAN STUDIOS, Madrid, and mastered at FINNVOX, Helsinki. The album was released in October 2009.
“On Evil Days” was a novelty specially to those CANCER fans that expected John to stick to Old School Death Metal. Instead, he presented something new and contemporary. With groovy melodies extremely varied in texture and feel and a huge rhythm section, some people described them: "John Walker going progressive and schizophrenic".
The album had a general good welcome from the international press and didn’t leave anyone indifferent:
“Liquid Graveyard are doing something different. As with their impressive demo, this full length debut is compulsive, full and most importantly, fresh. It’s dark metal done with distinction....Liquid Graveyard have something that counts for a hell of a lot: individualism. It’s a rare quality, and a valuable one.….We haven’t heard their best yet, super though this is."
Metal Ireland
"…an extremely diverse album, with many of the tracks going in different directions. ...borrowing widely (and wildly) from both doom and thrash metal, and even black metal and more classic rock recipes at times. ...the instrumental handling is top notch with loads of versatility in both riffing and drumming. Atmospheric, psychedelic and schizophrenic music for the open minded.”
My Last Chapter, Sweden
“On Evil Days is in fact a CD with a strong personality, capable of standing out above the sea of mediocrity with pride, inspiration and a really surprising strong taste, and potentially able to satisfy the expectations of the traditionalists and most of the curious ears“ Audiodrome, Italy
“John Walker’s wife, Raquel, takes care of all the vocals and here we really are talking about a broad spectrum. From the most brutal death roar she can change her to pure clean tones, and sometimes a bit bizarre and almost spoken vocals... . Entertaining, strange, stunning and captivating are adjectives that can rightfully be awarded on On Evil Days.” Heavymetal, Norway
In March 2010 the band got involved in a film’s soundtrack with two songs of “On Evil Days”. The film called “Witch Of The North” by the Spanish writer and filmmaker F. Lobohem will be released in 2012.
After some gigs and festivals throughout 2009 and 2010, and two compilation albums under MKM label, "Ecstasy" and "Hall Of metal volume 1" , LIQUID GRAVEYARD signs to the UK record label RISING RECORDS in July 2010 to release the second album: “The Fifth Time I Died” recorded at SADMAN STUDIOS, Madrid, and mastered at FINNVOX, Helsinki. The album was out in March 2011, and it’s got more than 35 excellent reviews so far:
“...fragile introspection cracked by violent rage the very point of this prog adventure”. KKK kerrang Magazine, UK
“A constantly mutating swirl of dark riffing and oddball arrangements, this paints John as a maverick sniper, firing strange, amorphous musical bullets from the shadows.“ Metal Hammer magazine, UK
“…this album succeeds is in its diversity and creative integrity… A welcomed return from one of the scene's favourites”.
Metaliville, UK
“...heavy chugging riffs which allows Raquel to show off her death-growl which is equally as impressive as her more saccharine tones... Overall this is a good album with some great tracks and an excellent vocalist” Metalmuk, UK
“John Walker is a great rhythm guitarist, with rich tone and a novel approach… guitarists remain advised to at least hear this album to sample what he’s up to…. Dark groove, bite, invention and a generally cool as fuck take on underground metal are what it’s all about… It’s vocal veils are another standout of the album… Liquid Graveyard are one of the real bands to watch in the underground at the moment”. Metal Ireland
“Eleven tracks of pure evil and dark music… I am not surprised that a band of "John walker" would sound good, but I am surprised about the band that he has, and the music they make because it sounds great…. you are going to enjoy this album.”
Mariosmetalmania, Holland
This lady shifts between a monster and small innocent girl back and forth… I will provide me immediately their first CD. You should do it too, and even better, both!!! You will not regret it - promised!
Rocktimes, Germany
In November 2011, LIQUID GRAVEYARD inks a deal with MPR Productions, http://mpr-producktionsymanagement.es to promote their music and book gigs and festivals all over Europe.
www.liquidgraveyard.com
www.myspace.com/liquidgraveyard
liquidgraveyard@yahoo.co.uk