After the brooding nostalgia of _Memory and Destiny_ (2002), Darken appeared to abandon his search for a Wagnerian magnum opus and openly embraced the raw energy of his old black metal stomping ground. _The Fire of Awakening_ was a relentless boot up the backside of those content to bathe in the reflection of prior work, while _Dawn of Iron Blades_ and _Fire Chariot of Destruction_ saw Darken mastering his drum machines to lend majestic undercurrents to the driving rhythms. This trend continues on _Will Stronger Than Death_, whose percussive surges evoke visions of chariots rumbling across the land, plowing through armies and crushing the skulls of the fallen.

The production is surprisingly lo-fi considering Darken's accomplished recording technique, although during the occasional keyboard refrains the overall clarity improves. The relative obscurity of the guitar lines may frustrate the attentive listener, but as a mood piece _Will Stronger Than Death_ is another prime example of Graveland's grizzled charm.