JV and MOR GRISH of Burial Oath
Emerging from the shadows comes a torrent of raw aggression that is coated in a dark melodic tone. With haunting vocals, portraying elements of satanism and the occult, Burial Oath unleashes their infernal black metal upon the world. Emerging back in 2015 from Cleveland, Ohio, the band has begun to march once again and amalgamate their name within the USBM scene.
With their latest releases, “Pagan Fires” and now their newest song “Kingdom of Fire”, you know that Burial Oath is back stronger than ever. Building on their momentum, their 2024 Territorial Damnation tour is gearing up to take off as they blaze an infernal path across the US.
I'm glad to say that I was fortunate enough to sit down with the drummer JV and vocalist MOR GRISH of Burial Oath as we dove into the formation of the band, their history and brief hiatus. As well as what they have in store for the future.
FMP: Let’s go back to the beginning, how did the band initially start back in 2015?
JV: Burial Oath was initially intended to be an underground studio band. I wrote and recorded the first EP myself and found like-minded musicians to bring it to life, one of whom was a long-time friend. After adding the rest of the guys to complete the band, we took it live.
FMP: If you look within the vast world of black metal or just metal in general, were there any influences that any of you were inspired by musically?
JV: For me, a lot of the second wave; the tried-and-true classics. Darkthrone, Mayhem, and Gorgoroth are all instrumental in my own ideology and sound. Obviously Watain. Though, I was inspired by a lot of the classics – Van Halen, Motorhead, King Diamond – all very influential to me.
MOR GRISH: Same as JV with the classics. Darkthrone, Mayhem, Gorgoroth. But specifically as a vocalist, anything from Pest, John Davy, Phil Anselmo, Dani Filth to Pavarotti, Ville Valo, Layne Staley. All of those have shaped me as the vocalist I am today.
FMP: How did you guys come up with the name? Was there an influence to the name of the band or a special meaning behind it?
JV: Well, I knew I wanted something that sounded more “American” instead of riding that trend of borrowing names from other languages. We are a USBM band after all.
It feels insincere for me to take influence from a region’s culture I had nothing to do with; I can’t stand that shit. The idea behind the name Burial Oath was an undying commitment to living anti-Abrahamic. I knew who I was at that moment, and it’s still very real to me today. The Oath I’ve decided to take to my grave is that I won’t subscribe myself to any “god”.
FMP: Looking at some of the concepts that you guys write about with the occult and satanism, what are some of your inspirations within those elements and why?
MOR GRISH: Life. I grew up Christian. Yet, I’ve always been drawn to the darker things. I resisted that call long enough until the weight of Christianity took its toll. I gave in and my life had drastically changed for the better.
FMP: Having shared members with the band Cloak, currently on Metal Blade Records at one point, did this ever put a strain on the band? How did you navigate around it?
JV: Sure. The group of guys we have now was certainly brought on by my opportunities with Cloak. Burial Oath sort of stalled, and people decided to leave; it’s all part of the process though, so I don’t hold any ill will for anyone. I do think it worked out in our favor anyway.
The new sound and current crew I believe to be our strongest effort yet. Everyone is actively engaged in some capacity in taking this entity to the next level, as soon as we possibly can.
My time with Cloak has also positively influenced the band. You get out there, and you learn a lot, and maybe you realize some shortcomings and areas of opportunity that you can take back and fix immediately. Cloak has certainly given me a better understanding of the industry that I didn’t have before, and I am grateful for that.
FMP: After a bit of a hiatus and now having a new vocalist, Mor Grish, how has it been in the creative process of writing new music?
JV: I truly don’t think we could’ve achieved what we have now, and even what we’re currently writing, without this group and Mor Grish. It’s not a slight to previous members, but a realization that sometimes new blood can inspire a level of unrealized passion. He has transformed our sound entirely, for the better, and I couldn’t be happier about where we’re going. Both R (bass) and MG have inspired me to step it up, so I can keep up with them.
MOR GRISH: Writing with these guys is awesome. I’ve been so used to doing my own solo symphonic black metal project, Deapscufa, for many years and as much I like having that control, it refreshing to work with some other people for once. They let me do my thing and be myself so I couldn’t ask for a better situation.
FMP: We see that you have a couple of new releases that tease what's to come with “Kingdom of Fire” and the latest “Pagan Fires”. How did it feel to create together again? Were there any inspirations that influenced these amazing tracks?
JV: Well, in total transparency, these songs have been written since 2019. D and I spent a considerable amount of time cultivating a new sound together that we’re happy to move forward with. But the creation of these new tracks, even beyond this album, has already begun, and it’s been a very healthy process that seems to come very naturally. So, I am excited for what’s to come.
MOR GRISH: “Kingdom of Fire” was inspired by wishful thinking.
FMP: With the latest releases, showcasing raw dedication to “trve kvlt” black metal and forging your name within the USBM scene, do you have any future releases in the works that you’re able to share more details with us about?
JV: Yes, this winter (2024), we plan to release an album. This will be Burial Oath's first full-length offering in quite some time. We do have a music video and release plan with some well-respected partners who believe in what we’re doing, so we are excited to get it out. As of now that’s about all we can talk about.
FMP: Having played a few live shows and gearing up for the Territorial Damnation tour, how does it feel being back on the road again?
JV: It feels great to be back. I do enjoy touring, certainly a lot more when it’s your own creation, but it has its own difficulties. These guys are some of my closest friends, so I think we’ll have a good time. The passion is there, and it’s real, which makes everything a lot easier.
MOR GRISH: I’m eager to travel with these guys. I’m new to their crew, but I didn’t have a tough time at all fitting in. It’s nice to be in a group with people who are as equally as obsessed with creating this specific art and taking it on the road. I think it’s pretty special when 4 or 5 completely different people come together to make a very well oiled machine.
FMP: With everything going on so far, with new material being released and an upcoming tour coming up, what's next for the band?
JV: Tour, tour, tour. We’re talking with some other partners to assist us in this area, and currently planning a small spring tour. If all goes well, we’ll be out in the spring and at the very least, in the fall.
FMP: When looking at the evolving world of black metal and the various dynamics within, what is your overall mindset on what black metal is to you?
JV: I’m not sure. The definition itself can’t be quantified into a single definition, as it has grown. However, I find it disingenuous if there are no anti-religious themes. I think the bands that lean too heavily into nature worship, or the stars and cosmos are getting old. I think the genre has softened beyond its initial intent, and I am ready to see it return to form in a modern way. I guess I want my black metal with a heavy dose of ‘outlaw’.
MOR GRISH: Black metal saved my life. There was a span of moments that caused a great deal of pain. Growing up religious as I mentioned before and some other dark stuff. Leaving religion and most of my family staying, it felt lonely. So I took to black metal for its brotherhood and portrayal of pain that I deeply relate to.
I would personally like to thank JV and MOR GRISH for taking the time to sit down with Frozen Moon Promotions to talk about the history of the band, and what the future may have in store for them.
For more details you can check out their bandcamp HERE or listen to them on spotify HERE. If you wanna follow them to stay up to date on what Burial Oath is up to, you can follow them on facebook HERE.
