Grandma’s Ashes, formed in Paris in 2017, began shaping their identity with the EP The Fates (2021), already showcasing a very personal blend of progressive rock, stoner and gothic undertones, built around their signature contrast between dense riffs and a crystal-clear vocal that remains one of their defining features.
With their debut This Too Shall Pass (2023), the trio took a clear step forward in terms of maturity and cohesion, earning them a spot at Hellfest and the opportunity to tour beyond France, establishing themselves as one of the most promising emerging acts in the European alternative scene.
Between 2023 and 2025, following an intense period of live activity, the band has further refined both their sound and their aesthetic and thematic identity. Their work explores contemporary themes such as anxiety, social crisis and emotional collapse — territories that have become almost unavoidable today — yet are translated here in a way that feels natural and coherent within their musical universe.
I discovered them by chance last year, and they hooked me from the very first listen.
Bruxism opens with “Saints Kiss”, a track that also serves as the opener for their live shows — and for good reason: it’s a direct, impactful introduction that immediately sets the tone for the album.
“Empty House” keeps the momentum going with a strong chorus and a clear live-oriented energy, while “Sufferer”, the album’s first single, carries strong echoes of Queens of the Stone Age, making it a particularly effective introduction to the band’s sound.
With “Nightwalk”, the album drifts into a denser, almost hypnotic atmosphere, before “Flesh Cage” sharpens the edge again with the inclusion of growled vocals, adding a heavier texture without disrupting the overall cohesion.
“Neutral Life, Neutral Death” introduces a more solemn and restrained tone, setting the stage for “Cold Sun Again”, the second single, where the band proves they can also build intensity through subtlety.
“Calix” acts as an emotional breather, with dynamic shifts and an abrupt ending that leads into “Duality”, one of the album’s more conceptual tracks, centered around internal conflict and resistance to conventional structures.
The album closes with “Dormant”, the final track and also the song they use to end their live performances. A mid-tempo piece that gradually builds, and which, if divided into three parts, shifts in its final third towards a much harsher, growl-driven vocal delivery.
It’s an interesting decision in terms of contrast, though one that may feel divisive: given the band’s distinctive and captivating vocal style, this move into fully growled vocals in the closing section might not feel like the most fitting choice to end both the album and the live set. Still, it doesn’t feel out of place, and ultimately reinforces the darker tone with which the record comes to an end.
Overall, the album stands out for its balance between accessibility and depth: catchy choruses, a clean yet powerful production — where each instrument has its own space without losing impact — and a vocal performance that immediately draws you in. Some tracks may feel slightly more restrained than others, but none fall short or disrupt the flow; everything serves the album’s overall narrative.
Bruxism is a cohesive, character-driven record that doesn’t aim to reinvent the genre, but rather to refine its own identity with precision. A compelling mix of tension, darkness and the constant sense of moving toward something brighter.
Live, they are also performing a cover of Army of Me by Björk, further highlighting one of the influences surrounding their sound.
They are currently presenting the album on a tour through small and mid-sized venues, and it’s clear they will soon outgrow this format. Don’t miss this moment: it’s a unique opportunity to experience a band with huge potential in an intimate setting before they move on to much bigger stages.
Bruxism confirms that Grandma’s Ashes are no longer a promise, but a reality within the European scene.
They sit alongside bands like Brutus, Baroness, Queens of the Stone Age or Björk: if you’re into that territory, this record has every chance of winning you over.
Highlights: “Sufferer”, “Saints Kiss”
Rating: 8.5
A strong result that confirms their potential while making it clear there’s still room to go even further.
