Doomed Confessionary: Dormant (Mirror Spell)
Mirror Spell is a doom metal project based in Madrid, Spain. A pandemic times collaboration by drummer, guitarist and songwriter Dormant (Revilment, Mantra Wheel, Trauma, ex-MotherSloth) and Sétroq on bass, keys and vocals, along with Nethervault’s Fran Grimes on vocals.
Mirror Spell’s debut album »Elders And Visions« was released on October 31st, 2023 in digital format via Bandcamp.
Can you say a few words about your band?
I have to start saying this didn’t start as a band, the idea was to record some songs I wrote with some friends help, but then if you are a musician you will understand, I was asked about playing live and suddenly I felt a need to get on a stage to present this material as soon as posible, so this is what I am working on now.
For the ones who don’t know who we are or how »Elders And Visions« was done, in 2020 I started talking with Sétroq (bass, keys) about the possibility to make a split album with our bands, the point was , mine had just split so I was alone at that time. Then I started working on some brand new songs , did some demos I showed to Sétroq , and he sent me his bass lines. Then I asked Fran Grimes (Nethervault, vocals) to join the project, he listened to the material and liked it so we started collaborating on the album.
It has been a really fun process with me on drums and guitars. I have been able to experiment on recording and getting the sound I had in my head for the guitars specially because the easiest part for me was to do the drum parts.
Now I just found a drummer and a bass player so rehearsals for a live situation have started. So we did it the other way around, first we put out an album and then I am assembling a band for any gigs.
What was the biggest challenge for the band last year?
If you mean 2023 well it has been hard to make an album like this I mean as a collaboration, for one part you have to deal with all the details by yourself but luckily I have been able to get all together and feel satisfied.
On the other side when you don’t have a band you take decisions easily and do things as you wish, so it is very liberating not having someone who thinks is the commander of your own ship saying no to what you decide doing.
If you mean 2024 it is to establish as a working entity, it is the first time for me as a live guitar player, I hope I can make it live and have a good time whenever I can. All this I do is to have fun basically. I have put together a nice group of people I hope we get along well and enjoy what we do.
What can you be most proud of last year?
First to have been able to finish and release the album, then the good reception and positive vibe and comments the album has got so far. It is a fantastic feeling, totally worth it.
What was your biggest regret?
Perhaps is not having been able to record some songs I made when I was in Mothersloth, my former band. I had to deal with a band member who only wanted to do his songs. It was a frustrating time.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Nothing has changed basically, the difference is that now there are more people listening to this style, let’s see if they want to come to see us playing live.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Perhaps you have to come to Spain to see us on a stage. This is a new band and like a new car, we are 0 kms!
What are your plans for this year as a band? What do you personally want the most?
I would like to be able to work with the same musicians form the album, I have plans to release a second album, not sure if it will be out soon but if we start working then the rest will be easier.
I also hope to be able to keep working with Dave Robinson, he is a brilliant lyrics writer and is always a helping hand.
How can people best support your band?
They have the album on Bandcamp, I think it is the best way to support musicians as opposed to streaming in these famous platforms everybody uses, where musicians and songwriters’ rights and shares are ignored. So get our music and stuff here: mirrorspell.bandcamp.com.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Yes, thank you for the support and get ready for the next albums, they will be around soon, there is plenty of new music to work on.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well