Interviews About Albums: Mother Of Graves - In Somber Dreams (2021)

In this new interview, we sat down with the American Doom Metal/Death Metal band Mother Of Graves to ask some questions about their album "In Somber Dreams" released in 2021. 

1. What can you say about this new EP/CD?

It actually is not a new release. It was originally released in January 2021 on Wise Blood Records as our initial "official" release. It was originally only released on CD, digital, and cassette. We had a licensing deal worked out with a European label for the vinyl release, but it was not moving forward it seemed. Wise Blood was able to get the rights back to that and release it on vinyl finally!

2. What is the meaning of the EP/CD name?

The whole theme of the ep is basically loss, grief, and sadness and how we deal with those emotions. These songs were written during a very dark time in my life after a very good friend passed away. I used music to process the grief and these compositions are what came from that time. As far as lyrically, Brandon is a poet and was able to put his personal experience into the songs by digging deeply into his own emotions.

3. Which one is the composer of the CD/EP?

We all were involved in writing the songs on the EP. There are some songs in which I wrote most of the guitar and arrangement, but typically either Ben, Brandon, or myself would bring a riff or idea to everyone and we then just keep building off of that idea, connecting other ideas, rearranging, until it all comes together. There is no single songwriter in the band. Everyone contributes.

4. If you had to pick one song, which one would you pick?

This answer could change based on the day, but for today I would choose Nameless Burial. It captures the atmosphere we like to shoot far. It is somehow all at once haunting, ugly, and beautiful. Death and grief can be the same way. It is sad and the feelings can be unbearably ugly; however, the love and memories shared with those that we've lost will always be there and are beautiful.

5. Is there a special message in this EP/CD? If there is what it is?

There is no message. We are just 5 friends playing from our hearts and using music to process feelings and emotions.

6. Are there some lyrics that you'd love to share?

I'd encourage everyone to pick up a copy of the vinyl from Wise Blood Records which you can play on a rainy day, pull out the lyrical insert, and immerse yourself in the songs. Brandon is one of the best lyricists in the genre. This would be the ideal way to read his work.

7. Which inspirations have been important for this album? Like musically or friends, family, someone you'd love to thank especially?

Musically we all enjoy bands like My Dying Bride, Katatonia, Edge of Sanity, Paradise Lost, Tiamat, and many more. We enjoy a wide range of styles though. This band just tends to lean into the melodic, somber, death-doom type of sound. As far as other inspiration, we just pull from life experience and play from our hearts. Everything we write comes from a true place within ourselves.

8. Something to add?

Thank you for the interest and questions. We hope everyone will take the time to check out this EP and our full length, both out on Wise Blood Records.