Graves at Sea

Lore & Background

Graves at Sea began by self-releasing a demo titled Documents of Grief in 2003. After vigorous touring, they gained the attention of Greg Anderson of Southern Lord Records and Sunn O))), whose label released their single Cirrhosis b/w Atavist Arise in 2005. A split with Asunder followed in 2005, but lineup changes occurred in 2007 when Misterek moved to Oakland and Phit to Portland, Oregon. In 2008, the band played two final shows with Chiyo Nukaga on drums and Miguel Veliz on bass, then broke up.

The band reunited in 2012 with Nukaga on drums and Greg Wilkinson on bass, but both left due to time constraints. Graves at Sea toured Europe in 2013 and performed on the West Coast of the United States. In 2014, they released a split album with Sourvein on Seventh Rule Records, followed by a second European tour with Sourvein that included Roadburn Festival. They then released an EP titled This Place Is Poison on Eolian Records and performed at Maryland Deathfest and other US festivals. Their debut studio album, The Curse That Is, was released in 2016 on Seventh Rule Records.

Reader's Guide

Graves at Sea hold significance in the sludge/doom metal scene for their persistent DIY ethic and connections to influential labels and bands. Their early demo and singles helped establish a raw, heavy sound that resonated within the underground. The band's 2008 breakup and 2012 reunion reflect the transient nature of many metal acts, yet they maintained a dedicated following through splits with Asunder and Sourvein, and performances at major festivals like Roadburn and Maryland Deathfest. Their debut album, The Curse That Is, released on Relapse Records in 2016, marked a culmination of over a decade of work. The band's legacy lies in their contribution to the sludge/doom genre, their collaborations with key figures like Greg Anderson, and their ability to sustain a career through lineup changes and a hiatus, ultimately producing a body of work that includes demos, singles, splits, and an EP before their first full-length.

Did You Know?

• Graves at Sea originally formed in 2002 by Nick Phit, Nathan Misterek, Roger Williams, and Steve Klatz.
• Their debut demo, Documents of Grief, was self-released in 2003.
• The band broke up in 2008 after two final shows with Chiyo Nukaga and Miguel Veliz.
• Their debut studio album, The Curse That Is, was released in 2016 on Seventh Rule Records.