Track By Tracks: Shores Of Null - Homesick (2026)

About the album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Lyrically, Homesick revolves around the idea of belonging and the complicated relationship we have with the places, people, memories, and experiences that shaped us. At its core lies the contradiction contained within the very idea of homesickness: the longing to return to something familiar while knowing that what we call "home" may also be the source of our pain. Many of the songs deal with nostalgia, loss, trauma, mortality, acceptance, and the difficult process of reconciling with our past rather than escaping from it. There is also a recurring sense of cycles throughout the record: tides, seasons, memories, and emotions constantly returning, reminding us that some things never truly leave us, but perhaps can eventually be understood and embraced.

Musically, I think Homesick represents the most mature and focused version of Shores Of Null so far. The different elements that have always been part of our sound now coexist more naturally than ever before, always serving the emotional core of the songs rather than existing for their own sake. The result is probably our most intimate and emotionally honest record to date, but also one of our heaviest and most dynamic. At the same time, it contains some of the catchiest and most memorable melodies we've ever written, like‘Bleed To Life’ or ‘Two Mountains’. It is an album that lives in contrasts: light and darkness, comfort and danger, despair and acceptance, departure and return. Sounds like home.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. ALLIES BEFORE DEFEAT:

This was always meant to be the opening track of the album. It immediately establishes the emotional direction of Homesick, combining explosive energy with a deep sense of melancholy. Lyrically, it explores the complex relationship between love, support, suffering, and separation, and was written by our bassist Matteo Capozucca.

2. TWO MOUNTAINS:

Probably the catchiest song we've ever written. The lyrics are inspired by the Legend of Maja, an ancient story from Abruzzo, the region where I was born and still live today. It's a tale of maternal love, grief, and sacrifice that has been passed down through generations and remains deeply rooted in the identity of our land.

3. BLEED TO LIFE:

One of the most aggressive and in-your-face songs on the record, but also one of the most melodic. The song revolves around the idea that pain, sacrifice, and suffering are not only things we endure but experiences that shape who we become and ultimately bring us closer to life itself.

4. HOMESICK:

The first song ever written for the album and the one that gave the entire record its title and emotional core. It explores the idea of home as something deeply ambiguous: a place of comfort and belonging, but also of fear, pain, and memories we can never fully leave behind.

5. SON OF THE TIDE:

Built around crushing growl-driven verses and an epic chorus, the song explores themes of solitude, destiny, and belonging through imagery connected to the sea, which becomes a metaphor for the forces that shape our lives and the paths we inherit rather than choose.

6. DREAMING OF A SCAR:

Musically, it sits somewhere between melodic death metal and gothic rock atmospheres, opening with a piano and violin introduction that immediately sets the mood for the journey ahead. The violin was performed by Shaun MacGowan of My Dying Bride, whose contribution adds another layer of melancholy and elegance to the song. Lyrically, it's a dialogue between childhood and adulthood, reflecting on the passing of time and the desire to hold on to the wonder and dreams of our younger selves, even as life slowly changes us.

7. SOCIETY IS THE MURDERER:

Probably one of the most unusual songs on the platter, built around some unconventional ideas and arrangements. It's also entirely sung with clean vocals. Lyrically, it deals with our relationship with failure and the pressure of living in a society that glorifies success while often condemning those who fall short of it. It's ultimately an invitation not to fear failure, but to accept it as an inevitable and valuable part of our journey.

8. THE NUMBING VOID:

Featuring guest vocals by Natalie Koskinen of Shape Of Despair, this song ventures into more death doom territory, while opening up into melodic passages during the chorus. In many ways, it feels like a spiritual successor to Beyond the Shores. Lyrically, it explores grief, mortality, and the helplessness that often follows the loss of someone close to us, along with the regret that so often comes with realizing there was never as much time as we thought there would be.

9. ANOTHER BREATH:

After the slowest and most introspective moment on the album, this song arrives like a bolt from the blue. Driven by recurring blast beats and abrasive energy, it reflects the anxiety, loneliness, and relentless repetition that often define modern life.

10. DISAPPEAR:

The closing track of the album is yet another example of how central melody remains to our songwriting. Despite dealing with themes of loss, surrender, and acceptance, the song carries one of the most memorable choruses on the record, almost inviting the listener into one final singalong before the journey comes to an end.

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