In the heart of Music City, a storm is brewing. Nashville-based duo GRAVA has published their latest EP, “Bite the Hand that Bleeds,” and it’s nothing short of a sonic Armageddon. Released on October 18, 2024, this collection of five tracks is a gory, guilt-infused journey that will leave you checking under your bed and winding up the volume simultaneously.
GRAVA is the brainchild of two musical mavericks: the enigmatic artist simply known as Grava and the production wizard Jesse Owen Astin. Their partnership, forged in the fires of creativity when Grava was merely 13, has been simmering for five years, and now it’s ready to boil over with this explosive EP.
Grava, now 18, brings a raw, natural oomph to the table that belies her age. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Fiona Apple, Grava’s vocals oscillate between haunting whispers and banshee wails, perfectly complementing the EP’s horror themes. Jesse Owen Astin, the other half of this energetic duo, isn’t an ordinary producer – he’s a sound architect, designing landscapes of sound that would make Lovecraft himself shudder.
Recorded at Mama Jan Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, “Bite the Hand that Bleeds” is a masterclass in atmospheric tension. The EP, produced by Jesse Owen Astin in collaboration with the Project Sound Foundation, pushes the boundaries of what we expect from modern rock.
“Bite the Hand that Bleeds” is unique in that it is very detailed. Each track is a carefully constructed nightmare, with Easter eggs for the attentive listener. In “Something More”, keen ears will pick up on Grava’s beautiful vocals actually “digging for something more”, gradually increasing in tempo as the song builds to its frenzied climax.
The EP’s masterpiece, “Holy Fang,” is a two-minute opus that takes the listener on a descent into reflective, calm madness (yes, you read that right!). Starting with an almost lullaby-like acoustic guitar, the song morphs into a heavy, sludgy dirge. “What goes around, comes around!!!” Grava’s vocals here are particularly impressive, ranging from childlike innocence to questioning growls, often within the same verse.
While Grava’s presence is undeniably the focal point, Jesse Owen Astin’s contribution cannot be overstated. His production is the glue that holds this beautiful monstrosity together. The mix is pristine yet raw, allowing each instrument to cut through without losing the overall murkiness that the genre demands.
“Bite the Hand that Bleeds” is not for the faint of heart. It’s a relentless, uncompromising piece of art that demands your full attention. GRAVA has managed to create something truly unique in a genre that often feels oversaturated. This EP doesn’t just nod to influences like Fiona Apple; it takes that alternative spirit and drags it kicking and screaming into a new, darker realm.
For those brave enough to take the plunge, “Bite the Hand that Bleeds” offers a rewarding experience that improves with each listen. New layers reveal themselves, new horrors emerge from the shadows, and you’ll find yourself coming back for more punishment.
Off the lights, up the volume, and let GRAVA’s “Bite the Hand that Bleeds” sink its teeth into you. Just don’t be surprised if you wake up in a cold sweat, reaching for the replay button.
It’s hard to emphasise how much Grava’s vocals sound soothing and beautiful yet demanding in this EP. Rock isn’t dead. It’s just been reborn as something far more terrifyingly beautiful.