(((SIGNALS))) Mother of Graves – “Through the Pale Shade”
A signal comes before the full transmission. (((SIGNALS))) is Doomnation Radio’s space for bands to tell us about their new single and what it points toward: why this song came first, where it lives on the album, and what world it carries inside it. Three questions only, the rest is up to them.
Band: Mother of Graves
Single: Through the Pale Shade
Release: The Light That Keeps Us (Profound Lore Records)
Release Date: October 16, 2026
Mother of Graves are an Indianapolis death-doom band. Their current lineup is Brandon Howe on vocals and keyboards, Chris Morrison and Ben Sandman on guitars, Corey Clark on bass, and Don Curtis on drums. “Through the Pale Shade” is the first song shared from The Light That Keeps Us, where it appears as the second track. The album is due October 16, 2026 through Profound Lore Records.
(1) “Through the Pale Shade” is the first song being shared from The Light That Keeps Us, although it appears second in the album sequence. Why was this the song you wanted listeners to encounter first, and what did it need to establish about the record?
We chose this song as the first single because we feel it thoroughly encapsulates the true and honest nature of our sound. I think from start to finish, it speaks well in terms of our identity that we’ve steadily grown into as a band; coalescing with our personal touches the heavy approach to things and melodies that feel dreamlike without sacrificing the wholeness of the song itself.
(2) The Periapt of Absence already pushed your balance of melodic doom and death metal toward a more defined identity. Where does “Through the Pale Shade” sit inside the new album’s development beyond that record?
I don’t think ‘Through the Pale Shade’ is a vast departure from what we built on The Periapt of Absence, but there are distinct differences that show how we’ve grown. We weren’t afraid to experiment with new rhythms and feel that aren’t typical for us, and as songwriters, we put a lot more focus into dynamics and building memorable choruses.
It still has all the core elements like melodic leads, heavy riffs, and doom, and Brandon’s vocal delivery on this track is exceptionally grim and menacing. It takes everything we’ve done in the past and presents it in a more thoroughly developed package. It’s a natural evolution, just done better in my opinion.
(3) What is the image or idea behind the title “Through the Pale Shade,” and how does that image connect to the song’s writing or atmosphere?
“Through the Pale Shade” is extracted from a verse that lyrically holds a lot of personal weight. It speaks of being pulled from the depths of troublesome waters. A beacon luring you through the black by way of hopeful hand. The song has an enveloping heaviness to it that meshes well with the uplifting melodies throughout. Felt very suitable for the title and overall face of things, as it mirrors the duality of struggle and triumph expressed in the vocals.
The Light That Keeps Us is out October 16, 2026 through Profound Lore Records. Pre-order on Bandcamp.
