Sematary, Ghost Mountain, Heckle, and Anvil are part of the collective known as “Grave Man” or “Haunted Mound.” They are known for their experimental, lo-fi, and often unsettling blend of trap, horrorcore, and black metal influences. A live show by them is less about traditional musicianship and more about creating a specific, often chaotic and intense, atmosphere.
Stepping into The Academy for the Haunted Mound experience was less like attending a gig and more like entering a portal to another dimension, one where blown-out 808s, distorted screeches, and lyrics steeped in rural decay and digital paranoia reign supreme. The collective – featuring Sematary, Ghost Mountain, Heckle, and Anvil – delivered a performance that was as jarring as it was captivating, a true testament to their unique and uncompromising vision.
The air was thick with anticipation, a palpable hum of a fanbase deeply invested in the lore and sonic aesthetic of Grave Man. From the moment the lights dimmed, the stage, often shrouded in smoke and pulsating with DIY visuals, became a canvas for their brand of sonic mayhem.
Heckle and Anvil set the tone early, their raw, unpolished tracks serving as a blunt instrument. Their delivery was confrontational, their flows a frantic cascade over beats that sounded like they were unearthed from a forgotten hard drive. It was a visceral opening, preparing the crowd for the onslaught to come, and immediately establishing the lo-fi, anti-production ethos that defines the collective.
When Ghost Mountain emerged, there was a shift in intensity. His presence, often more spectral, brought a different kind of dread to the stage. His tracks, with their eerie samples and more melodic, yet still haunting, undertones, felt like a journey through forgotten graveyards and cursed forests. The crowd, already hyped, responded with fervent energy, chanting along to every distorted declaration.
Finally, the architect of the sound, Sematary, took center stage, his presence commanding despite the intentionally murky soundscapes. The energy in the room became almost frenetic. Tracks like “Crucifixion” and “Reaper” hit with a bone-rattling force, the bass threatening to dismantle the very foundations of the venue (and actually setting off the fire alarm).
Sematary’s delivery, a guttural growl layered with auto-tune, is not about technical prowess but about channeling pure, unadulterated angst and menace. He prowled the stage, mic clutched tight, a figure conjured from the depths of the internet and rural American horror.
The performance was a masterclass in controlled chaos. Vocals were often buried deep in the mix, intentionally obscured by layers of fuzz and saturation. This wasn’t a flaw; it was a deliberate artistic choice, adding to the sense of disorientation. The crowd, a mix of dedicated “Mounders” and curious newcomers, reciprocated the energy.
A Haunted Mound gig is not for the faint of heart, nor for those seeking pristine sound quality or traditional stagecraft. It’s an immersive experience, a dive into the murky, distorted world they’ve meticulously crafted. It’s a celebration of the unconventional, a testament to the power of atmosphere and raw emotion over polished production. On Thursday night in Dublin, Sematary, Ghost Mountain, Heckle, and Anvil didn’t just play a gig; they conjured a sonic haunting that will linger long after the ringing in your ears subsides.
Haunted Mound photos:
Photos & words – David McEneaney @experimentzero