Photo by Jessica Branstetter
After two years of meticulous crafting and the lasting impact left behind from their sophomore offering The Periapt Of Absence, which claimed a #11 spot on Decibel Magazine’s Top 40 AOTY and tore through countless year-end lists, Indianapolis death/doom titans MOTHER OF GRAVES return alongside Profound Lore Records with The Light That Keeps Us, set for release on October 16th.
Here, it is evident that MOTHER OF GRAVES has no intention of slowing their evolution into fully realized territory as a quintet. The album is driven by the sharpened songwriting of guitarists Chris Morrison and Ben Sandman, the unrelenting foundation of bassist Corey Clark and drummer Don Curtis, and the expressive, poetic cadence of vocalist/keyboardist Brandon Howe.
Seamlessly forging the aggression and power of death metal with the melancholic and romantic edge of melodic doom, The Light That Keeps Us is crushing, hauntingly human, and a true showcase of the band’s authenticity in their expression and care for the genre with each track serving as a hand to guide the listener through the introspective journey of mortality, sorrow, love and resilience. The band’s dynamic continues to grow under the production of guitarist Ben Sandman, whose work behind the console keeps personal touch prevalent within their music, stripping away the excess and amplifying the things that matter.
At the helm of visual depictions, fine artist Larisa Brechun perfectly captures the weight and depth of the music on The Light That Keeps Us in her cover painting, providing evocative imagery to accompany the band’s bleak yet uplifting nature. It has become a standard throughout their years to recruit legend Dan Swanö for his mastering expertise, but this time a greater gift presented itself as Swanö proudly delivered guest vocals on the track “Wingless Soul.” A full circle moment in the band’s existence, as it gives the album that much more of a special and significant engraving within the world of death doom.
In advance of the record’s release, today MOTHER OF GRAVES unveils the record’s stunning lead single, “Through The Pale Shade.”
Offers vocalist/keyboardist Brandon Howe, “‘Through The Pale Shade’ is a lyrical tale of resilience in a faltering world and letting the hands of beauty be your uplifting guide through the darkest and most desperate pits of the self and soul. Instrumentally, the song bleeds a similar hope and despair within each note. We chose this song as the first single because we feel it thoroughly encapsulates the true and honest nature of our sound. From start to finish, it speaks well in terms of our identity that we’ve steadily grown into as a band; coalescing with our personal touches the heavy approach to things and melodies that feel dreamlike without sacrificing the wholeness of the song itself.”
Stream MOTHER OF GRAVES’ “Through The Pale Shade” HERE.
With The Light That Keeps Us, MOTHER OF GRAVES delivers eight tracks of despairing beauty laced in emotion and fierce purpose, marking yet another milestone in their promising career.
The Light That Keeps Us will be released on CD, LP, and digital formats.
Find preorders HERE.
The Light That Keeps Us Full-Length:
1. Wingless Soul (Feat. Dan Swanö)
2. Through The Pale Shade
3. The Light That Keeps Us
4. Eventide Angel
5. The Silent Weight Of The Stars
6. A Moonlit Tryst
7. The Beggar’s Allegory
8. The Endless Climb
MOTHER OF GRAVES:
Brandon Howe – vocals, keyboards
Chris Morrison – guitar
Ben Sandman – guitar
Corey Clark – bass
Don Curtis – drums
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