US blackened doom metal band Northern Graves releases debut album »Derelict Heart«; out today via Meuse Music Records!

Houston, Texas based blackened doom metal band Northern Graves (feat. members of Altars Of Grief, Subside, Urbain and Wills Dissolve) stream their debut album, »Derelict Heart«, which was just released this Friday, April 17th, 2026 via Meuse Music Records.

Tracklist:
01. A Story Told By The Wind
02. Lanterns
03. Keeper Of The Plains
04. Endless
05. Nocturne
06. Derelict Heart
07. Hazard (Richard Marx cover)

Courtesy of Meuse Music Records:

Northern Graves is a blackened doom metal band that was formed in 2024 in Saskatchewan (Canada) and is now based in Houston (USA).

Inspired by the seemingly endless Canadian prairies and the countless ghost towns that dot its landscape, Northern Graves takes its name from the struggles and challenges of living in the rural North.

Crumbling infrastructure and dwindling populations provide such places with a sense that they’re dying-like, ruins left behind in the shadow of those who sought opportunities and a better life elsewhere.

Originally formed in the winter of 2023 as a solo project by guitarist and vocalist Damian Smith (Altars Of Grief, Subside, Hircine), Northern Graves was intended more as an escape than anything, and as a means of channeling creativity and telling musical stories.

Photo credit: Rick Custer

However, in the spring of 2024, the project expanded to include Branson Heinz (Wills Dissolve, Urbain) on drums and Andrew Caruana (Wills Dissolve, Urbain) on guitars and vocals, and Roman Chester on bass.

»Derelict Heart«, Northern Graves’ debut full-length album as a complete lineup, is a concept album that tells a story inspired by the poetry of Andrew Suknaski, a Saskatchewan local. It’s a story about the long, treacherous winters on the plains, and about mortality and what happens after we leave this life.

Coupled with visuals by Travis Smith of Seempieces (Opeth, Katatonia, Nevermore), »Derelict Heart« seeks to sonically capture the essence of a winter tempest, the ruggedness of Canadian wilderness, and the despair of losing hope.

The album processes began just as Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Houston, forever imbuing the album with the wild spirit of nature.

Pre-order:
m9music.eu | meusemusicrecords.bandcamp.com

All songs written and performed by Northern Graves except »Hazard« originally written, produced, and performed by Richard Marx.
Produced by Andrew Caruana and Damian Smith.
Mixed by Andrew Caruana.
Mastered by Brad Boatright (Audiosiege).
Album cover and layout by Travis Smith (Seempieces).
Band photography by Rick Custer.

Northern Graves is:
Branson Heinz – Drums, Guitar on »Keeper Of The Plains«
Damian Smith – Guitar, Vocals, Piano
Andrew Caruana – Guitar, Vocals, Orchestral Arrangements
Roman Chester – Bass

Guest vocals on »Endless« by Nick Block (Wills Dissolve)
Guest vocals on »Derelict Heart« by Déhà
Guest vocals on »Hazard« by Jaakko Mäntymaa (Marianas Rest)

FFO: Woods Of Ypres, Agalloch, (early) Opeth, Enslaved…

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well