Indianapolis-based melodic death-doom purveyors Mother of Graves have officially announced the release of their sophomore full-length studio album, titled “The Periapt of Absence”, which has been slated for release on October 18th, 2024, via Profound Lore Records.
With the track “Upon Burdened Hands” the band has unleashed the first single today. Listen to the track below.
Vocalist Brandon Howe about the track: “‘Upon Burdened Hands’ is a tale of severance and longing. Perseverance in the midst of uncertainty. Being separated from the one thing tethering you to this earth, but somewhere – still connected. It is one of our more melodic and hooky songs on the record, which I love, while holding an equal amount of heaviness and grit. I think we found a really nice balance of those things here. Included before the last half of the song is a reading of ‘The Dream’ by Theodore Roethke, a favorite poet of mine. His work among select others solaced me through difficult times, and I thought this one in particular was a fitting piece for this song. Sink into the melancholic romance and let it take you where it may”.
“The Periapt of Absence” will be out on October 18th, 2024, via Profound Lore Records and is now available for pre-order here.
Tracklist:
01. Gallows
02. Shatter the Visage
03. A Scarlet Threnody
04. Apparition
05. The Periapt of Absence
06. As the Earth Fell Silent
07. Upon Burdened Hands
08. Like Darkness to a Dying Flame
After the success and lasting impact of their debut 2022 full-length, “Where the Shadows Adorn”, Mother of Graves return to the surface with a new and prolific dose of melancholy.
“The Periapt of Absence” serves as a testament to the band’s evolutionary journey and steadfast dedication to crafting their profoundly personal and enthralling rendition of death-doom metal.
Highlighted by Brandon Howe’s soul crushing and poetic vocals, this offering transcends boundaries, delving even deeper into realms of melancholy and introspection than their past offerings. The album expands on Mother of Graves’ engrossing atmospheres, crushing passages that shine light on their death metal roots, monumental hooks, and melodies that will resonate for years to come. The crushing production, provided by the band’s Ben Sandman with dynamic mastering by the legend Dan Swanö, amplifies the monumental rhythm section anchored by Don Curtis on drums and Corey Clark on bass, while illuminating the intricate guitar harmonies skillfully woven by guitarists Sandman and Chris Morrison.
“This album marks a new chapter for Mother of Graves, and we couldn’t be more excited to release it through our new label. It’s a thrill to finally share these songs with the world”, guitarist Chris Morrison states. “Ben’s production, combined with Dan Swanö’s mastering, has given the album a rich, thick sound that still maintains clarity even with the lush atmosphere. The songs remain steeped in melancholy, reflecting themes of loss and heartache, yet there are moments that offer a glimmer of hope. That is important to us because despite the anger and pain that comes with loss, we’re still here, still breathing, and we must move forward. We can’t wait for everyone to hear both the single and the album, and we hope it resonates with listeners in a profound way”.
“The Periapt of Absence” is without a doubt their most in depth and significant material to date. Each song provides a poignant exploration of the human experience, where moments of despair are illuminated by glimmers of hope and fleeting beauty. Through eight cathartic tales of heartache, love, and loss, Mother of Graves beckons you to delve deep into the recesses of their dark and gloomy world.
Line-up:
Brandon Howe – Vocals
Ben Sandman – Guitars
Chris Morrison – Guitars
Corey Clark – Bass
Don Curtis – Drums
Weblinks:
www.facebook.com/motherofgravesband
www.instagram.com/motherofgraves
