Indianapolis-based death/doom band MOTHER OF GRAVES have announced their new studio album, "The Light That Keeps Us", due out October 16 via Profound Lore Records. One of the album's most notable details is the contribution of Dan Swanö, a prominent figure in the death metal world, who provides guest vocals on 'Wingless Soul'.

Swanö's involvement with the band actually predates this album. While MOTHER OF GRAVES have previously worked with Swanö on their mastering, the new record takes that collaboration a step further with his vocal contribution. The band regards this as a special milestone in terms of the connection they have built with their own history.

The album's first single, 'Through The Pale Shade', was released today. The track reflects the band's approach of combining the aggressive and powerful character of death metal with the melancholic qualities of melodic doom. Vocalist and keyboardist Brandon Howe says the song is built around the idea of resilience in a world coming undone and holding on to beauty as a force capable of guiding a person out of darkness.

According to Howe, 'Through The Pale Shade' is one of the tracks that most directly represents the musical identity the band has developed today. Heavy guitars and melodic passages come together while maintaining the tension between hope and despair.

"The Light That Keeps Us" follows the band's 2023 album "The Periapt Of Absence". After that record reached No. 11 on Decibel Magazine's year-end list, MOTHER OF GRAVES are looking to push the collective musical direction of their five-piece lineup even further with the new material.

Guitarist Ben Sandman handles production on the eight-track album while playing a defining role in shaping the guitars alongside Chris Morrison. The rhythmic foundation comes from bassist Corey Clark and drummer Don Curtis, while Howe's vocals and keyboards remain at the heart of the band's ability to bring the heaviness of death metal together with a more melodic and emotionally charged atmosphere.

The album's visual identity has likewise been designed to complement its dark and melancholic approach. The cover artwork was created by fine artist Larisa Brechun.

Inline image

"The Light That Keeps Us" will be released on October 16 in CD, LP, and digital formats.

The tracklist is as follows:

  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'

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