ALBUM REVIEW: The Periapt Of Absence – Mother Of Graves

2022 saw a death-doom ripple begin in Indianapolis, as five-piece MOTHER OF GRAVES went all out with their crushing and powerful debut Where The Shadows Adorn. Resplendent and captivating in its melodic delivery of heavyweight death-doom, the album captured the attention of many across the genre and fans were eager to see where the band would go next. 2024 and that ripple has grown into a wave. The Periapt Of Absence retains the tonality and emotion of its predecessor while elevating their sound.

With a genre appropriate title, Gallows opens album two. Big, inexorable chords crash down accompanying thunderous drums. There’s a dissonance underpinning the intro generating an air of both discomfort and anticipation before the full band kicks in. A drive and energy fuse the melody as the guttural vocals scythe through the mix. Those familiar with the band’s previous work will identify the key signatures but there’s greater depth to the sound; it’s clear that MOTHER OF GRAVES are looking to make a statement.

Current single Shatter The Visage has garnered much attention and it’s easy to see why. For a band embarking on their second album, it shows a monumental amount of doom pedigree and delivers on every aspect of their chosen genre: bleak, heavy and intensely melodic, featuring some of their finest guitar work. They’ve managed to combine a catchy hook with their burgeoning trademark doomy poignancy.

The Periapt Of Absence is a phenomenal collection of death-doom. Tracks such as A Scarlet Threnody and As The Earth Fell Silent tread the fine line of dynamic textures, displaying an open, delicate edge that naturally flows into an emotive heavyweight bruiser, and once again indicating that MOTHER OF GRAVES have shown an element of growth. These elements were apparent on their debut, yet they’ve elected to work harder on drawing these songwriting techniques out and pushing them to the fore. It adds further to the beguiling charm of their sound.

While they more than dabble with ethereal soundscapes and sweeping melodic majesty, the quintet are also more than adept are launching a full tilt death banger. Lead single Upon Burdened Hands will satisfy those looking for a high-octane riff-driven sledgehammer. The emotive depth is still contained within the lyrical delivery, yet the music steps up and comes out swinging.

Production wise, the ante has certainly been upped from the previous record. While everything was given its own space and the atmosphere created was on the money for what they were writing on Where The Shadows Adorn, The Periapt Of Absence has a much grander feel to it. With the band once again tackling topics of loss, despair and heartache, the mix is suitably dark and allows for the sorrowful depths to be given appropriate identity. The times when the music takes on hope and fleeting moments of delicate beauty the productions mirrors this and grants an enthralling majesty to the proceedings. They’ve worked hard on moving their sound and style forward and it seems that everything has fallen into place to allow this to be properly illustrated. Allow MOTHER OF GRAVES to beckon you onto a melodic path of intoxicating gloom.

Rating: 9/10

The Periapt Of Absence is set for release on October 18th via Profound Lore Records.

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