Mother of Graves – The Periapt of Absence [Things You Might Have Missed 2024]

If, like me, you’re a sucker for classic death doom and The Periapt of Absence is a Thing That You Did, in fact, Miss in 2024 then you’ll want to remedy that. Now. The second full-length by Indianapolis quintet Mother of Graves, it channels all those sweet, sweet sadboi vibes from early Katatonia, Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride, or even classic Swallow the Sun. Huge, melancholic riffs roil like cloudbanks, always shifting and subtly changing shape, but never less than grey and brooding. This façade of misery and loss seems appropriate, since a periapt, as all you D&Ders out there1 will know, is an item worn as a charm or amulet, meaning that the band is presenting a physical representation of absence and loss. And boy can you feel it. Whether it’s the keening, drawn out guitars that open the title track, or the sonorous keys that launch “As the Earth Fell Silent,” on each track Mother of Graves drink deep of their torment.

As Grymm—who’s fast becoming a feature of my TYMHM pieces this year—observed in his review of Mother of Graves’ debut, Where the Shadows Adorn (2022), the influence of the Peaceville Three (and other 90s death doom stalwarts) is so strong here that it’s almost hard to believe you’re listening to a new band. As Grymm also opined, however, that is neither a putdown nor a suggestion that Mother of Graves are simply aping what has gone before. If that was true of Where the Shadows Adorn, it goes doubly for The Periapt of Absence, which marks a significant step up in quality for an already very good band. For all that they lean into that classic sadboi sound, Mother of Graves should be thought of as the heirs to that scene, rather than imitators of it. From the graceful incorporation of the keys (Brandon Howe) and strings, which at times recall Clouds, to Don E.’s excellent drumming, the songwriting feels fresh and vital, for all the heart-wrenching loss on show.

The Periapt Of Absence by MOTHER OF GRAVES

For a band this early in their career, Mother of Graves display not only incredible songwriting skill but also confidence. The backbone of their sound is Howe’s deep, tortured roars, which are both rich and crushing, paired with the bright guitar harmonies (Ben Sandman and Chris Morrison) that dance playfully around him. However, not only does this description suggest there is some element of levity or hope to The Periapt of Absence, but it also undersells the rest of what the band does. Their willingness to stop on a dime, mid-blast beat and drop down into delicate synth and organ work (“Apparition”) or to tease with stripped-back, percussive guitar lines and stark keys (back third of “As the Earth Fell Silent”), shows that Mother of Graves is willing to take some risks to evolve. Where Grymm bemoaned the lack of smooth build-ups or progressions on Where the Shadows Adorn, this thing is like quicksilver. It flows, thick and viscous, its gleaming surface belying its deadly depths. From the ponderous slow burn of opener “Gallows,” through the delicate, percussion-free first half of “A Scarlet Threnody” to the thunderous closer “Like Darkness to a Dying Flame,” which draws on early Opeth, the record is killer start to finish.

With Dan “the Fucking Man” Swanö back on mastering duties, The Periapt of Absence sounds gorgeous and I can find absolutely nothing to complain about on the sound front. Every element of Mother of Graves (including Corey Clark’s strong work on bass) exactly where it should be, each having room to breathe and complement everything else, with nothing dominating, nor going AWOL. This is so rare that it deserves an extra call-out. I really feel I’m struggling to do justice to what Mother of Graves have achieved with this album, which will undoubtedly occupy a high spot on my list. Suffice to say, if you like any of the many classic influences I’ve cited, but want a fresh and bold take on them, you need The Periapt of Absence in your life.

Tracks to Check Out: “Shatter the Visage,” “As the Earth Fell Silent,” “Upon Burdened Hands” and “Like Darkness to a Dying Flame.”

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