Northern Graves – Derelict Heart Review: Blackened Doom Metal from Canada (2026)

Artist: Northern Graves
Origin: Saskatchewan, Canada
Label: Meuse Music Records
Released: April 17, 2026
Genre: Blackened Doom Metal
Rating: 8.5/10
Listen/Buy: Bandcamp

Northern Graves open Derelict Heart strong. The mood is set from the first note and it doesn't let go. Powerful and atmospheric , good vocals, riffs that sits tight and drums  really do the job.

Both black metal and doom metal come through clearly here. The weight is there, the atmosphere is there, and there's enough intensity that the black metal side doesn't get swallowed up by the doom. Both styles coexist and strengthen each other throughout.

Two tracks stand out for me. Endless is where everything clicks at once , vocals on point, guitars locked in, drums doing an amazing job. Then there's the title track ,the longest on the album and absolutely worth your time. There's a longing in the vocals that hits differently, the buildup is well executed and the softer passages with clean vocals and choir add something the rest of the album doesn't have. Both tracks show what Northern Graves are capable of.

Production is solid and very good. Everything has space in the mix without losing the dark edge, heavy and clean in equal measure.

I wont say that there is bad songs here , solid from start to finish. The only thing that threw me was Hazard , it sticks out and doesn't quite work as well for me as the rest of the album. Small complaint in an otherwise very strong album.

Derelict Heart is exactly what blackened doom metal should sound like. Northern Graves know what they're doing.

Rating: 8.5/10

I'll be spinning more albums — stay tuned!

Hauk


If you enjoyed this, check out:
The Holeum – Ensis Review
Winter Eternal – Unveiled Nightsky Review
Vanir – Wyrd Review
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