Last heard slinging fuzzed-out doom on their 2019 album, From The Ghost Grey Depths, July 5th will see the official worldwide release of Mourning Light, the brand-new studio album from the London-based trio Old Horn Tooth.
For any fans of the genre that have stalked the capital in recent years, chances are London Doom Collective has supplied you with ample opportunity to sample some of the finest underground bands in a live setting . Since 2020 Ollie, Chris Jones, Mark Davidson, and Sean Durbin have flexed their DIY muscle as friends, promoters, and three quarter members of Old Horn Tooth to devasting effect. Now, with the band’s new album on the horizon, we thought it was the perfect time to chat to them about their influences.
PALLBEARER – Sorrow and Extinction (Profound Lore, 2012)
“I’m going to have to go with Pallbearer’s Sorrow and Extinction for the biggest influence on this Old Horn Tooth record, although there are efforts from bands like Cough or Monolord that could easily have filled this slot.
I went with this album because to me it is the perfect blend of massive, as heavy as they come riffs and soaring vocal melodies. The way each track is crafted to create an atmosphere that can be both oppressive and uplifting at the same time. It just gets me every time it’s on the turntable.
When you listen to the vulnerability in Brett Campbell’s voice you just believe every word, feel every emotion, you’re there on that journey with him. That’s the kind of emotion I wanted to convey with our new album. In truth I could have chosen any of the Pallbearer albums, but this one resonates so much with what I love about doom metal as a genre.” Chris (Guitar, Vocals)
KATATONIA – Brave Murder Day (Avantgarde Music, 1996)
“I’m going to have to go with Katatonia’s Brave Murder Day. As a bass player the bass lines on this record blend subtle power with restraint and it’s taught me to craft emotionally resonant and deliberate notes rather than go full guns blazing. (Although there’s nothing wrong with that approach either.)
The raw production also captures an organic tone that I strive to emulate and douse in volume. The album’s instrumental interplay underscores the importance of creating bass lines that enhance the overall sound rather than compete with it, sometimes one or two notes on the bass can change the beauty of a guitar riff without the listener really knowing what’s happened.
So, I’d say Brave Murder Day is central to my approach in crafting mood and depth in Old Horn Tooth.” Ollie (Bass)
CODEINE – Frigid Stars (Glitterhouse Records, 1990)
“This is more of an influential band than an album and either of their full lengths could count but opted for their debut Frigid Stars over their second album purely for its rawer production.
Codeine are pioneers of the slowcore genre and give a masterclass in the concept of less is more. Their songs convey pure emotion which are heavy, not because of huge guitar tones and heaps of distortion, but through the tension created by their glacial pace and heartfelt and moving lyrics.” Mark (Drums)
