The silence, the waiting, then the pain

[Lychfowel]

Apologies for stealing a line from Aaron’s lyrics for the topic title, but it really captures the spirit I think because a) It is awfully silent around here and I miss talking with you guys (not that there’s any news regarding the band to discuss, of course), b) we’re all waiting for the Bride to re-arise (with patience! No worries) and c) Well life is full of pain innit.

I have not much to add myself, other than that I hope everything is going as well as possible for Aaron and the rest of the band. I was at the Norwegian Inferno Festival (I love that festival - though nothing can beat the 2015 edition when MDB played obviously) and found a shirt I didn’t have in my collection yet, so that was nice (the Feel the Misery one with the dancing skeletons) but also an item I didn’t know existed until I saw it so I am afeared it is a fake / unlicensed product: A «Feel the Misery» card holder thingy. It looks kind of cheap with the album art just stickered onto the box, but maybe someone here knows something about this item? The merchant was quick to sell it to me for half the price, too, so there’s that ^^ Oh well, it’s a nicety anyway.

In other news I am still listening (almost) daily to «Feel the Misery» and my thoughts and opinions on it continue to change, which is weird. Getting a tad sick of some of the tunes, though, maybe Without meaning any disrespect to the band and its woes, but is has been a good while since we’ve gone this long without new material after a blisteringly productive period. I am looking forward to the next record, and hope that we will have some positive news soon, but in the meantime I was wondering how everyone else is holding up and maybe you have some MDB-related stories to share

[lost]

I'm really looking forward to a new MDB Album/EP with Calvin fully involved!
Is it still planned to release "A Harvest Of Dread"?
Now listening: Hollow Cathedra

[Danhod]

Also am looking forward to some kind of update, patiently...... PLEEEEEEEEASE GIMME UPDATE!!!!..... but yeah I'm cool about it.

Listening to 'A Map' and I love the feel of this record. I feel ashamed I haven't got the final version of Fell The Misery yet, I'm still listening to the mispress!

[Melkoroth]

I cant wait for the new MDB album.... I started listening to MDB when Feel the Misery came out so i never felt the hype of waiting for a new MDB album/EP...

I already listened to the whole MDB discography way too many times and i cant wait to hear something new.....

MDB is one of the bands that only gets better after all the years... 28 years and they still make albums that sound just as ambitious as the first ones... and better.....

Keep making incredible art...

[firebird]

As I once (when "The light at the end of the world" was released - yes, I KNOW that I am old) also started to listen to their whole lifetime achievement and recognized even back then it was material enough to fill many of my years with music it now (= 12 releases more) must be able to fill much more time - like nearly 20 releases within 3 years, it must be great! These lucky times are gone as now I do know the lifetime achievement and also am desperately waiting for new material.

This waiting fortunately seems to wake this forum again! Well, it´s spring, flowers are growing, forums awake, albums get released soon (?)...

But...nevertheless take yourself as much time as you do need.

[Lychfowel]

Nice to read some fresh posts! Thanks for chiming in
Yes we have to be patient of course.

As for old.. I distinctly remember reading the review of the Symphonaire EP when it was released and then As the Flower Withers. But I didn't hear them until Turn Loose the Swans came out It was so...different...and MDB still are and boy do I love them for being just that.

Still listening to the bad press as well

[lost]

For me all started when I saw the Symphonaire video on MTV in 1991...

[Lychfowel]

Hey boys and girls and those in-between, I stumbled over hills and found this article on Whitby, o' Barghest fame:

http://www.medievalists.net/2018/04/bef ... tby-abbey/

[lost]

They caught my interest with Symphonaire, but with Turn Loose The Swans they really got me!

[Podgie]

Alright everybody! I see this thread has almost become somewhat of a catch up, and a "reminisce how much we all dearly love My Dying Bride" kind of love affair thing, which I'm all for indulging in seeing as though I'm all but positive this isn't "just another of our favourite bands" - it's more than that.

For me, as will be the case for most of you, first of all, I wish the band all the best - I know it has been / is a difficult time for them at the moment. Cancelling gigs and whatnot is never good for a band, financially or otherwise. Your personal life, family life and "real life" will (and rightfully should) always come first though.

Now. For me, the silence, the waiting, and the pain is all part of being a lover of the bride. As much joy as new material would bring me, with almost 30 years worth of music to keep going back to I'm quietly content.

Recently I've been going back to and enjoying A Map of All Our Failures the most. But every time I decide to put on The Angel and the Dark River..........

[Lycaon]

Regarding the cancelled gigs, as far as I know the band does not make profit by performing so I don't expect them to be harmed financially. Just hope given enough time everybody will be alright and also - shameless self-interest inserted - that the quietness and isolation will do the writing process and the new album some good. I am especially eager to find out how the return of Calvin and Shaun Winter will influence the writing process.

In the meantime, I'll give some underrated pearls like The Isis Script another spin...

[lost]

"New Song" from the Fb site

"In their typically obscure fashion My Dying Bride have released a sneak preview of a song from the upcoming album. Make of this what you will, i think it looks like a classic, i am however now beginning to lose my mind. Title needs some work though. Song 2 anyone?"

https://www.facebook.com/MyDyingBrideOfficial/

[Lychfowel]

Looks like a solid, typical My Dying Bride track, with some audio samples between parts as they're wont to do

But more seriously, I have to say I kind of appreciate not getting any updates on the new material (well, beyond this image). Whenever the band says something about the new stuff there's the risk we draw the 'wrong' conclusions (I remember that For Lies I Sire didn't quite turn out how I came to expect it, but I think Andrew was just as surprised heehee). Now, with the new album whenever it comes, I'm totally going to try to not know much beforehand and just listen like a virgin in a cucumber patch yeehaw.

So definitely not going to ask the same question MDB gets with each album - "How much growls vs clean?" hehe.

But I have to say the growl:clean ratio was pretty delicious on Feel the Misery

Now playing for the 1000th time since 1015: "To Shiver in Empty Halls"

[Lychfowel]

Uhm... 2015

[Lycaon]

Can't make too much of it other than a hint of song structure (don't think all the sound tracks show in the picture) and that 140 bpm is quite fast for a Bride song; maybe something more old-fashioned Blackish metal? Then again, if only half the beats are played the whole things drops down to 70 bpm. Guess what I am trying to say: I can make absolutely nothing of it.

@ Lychfowel: Aye, I also like the idea of listening to the album free of expectations and spoilers. Have tried it with ALODK, FLIS, BoW, AMOAOF, TM and FTM. Have failed miserably so far, but hey - let's try again.

[lost]

I'm hoping for some good news soon!

[DarkLink]

Anyone got news from the new incoming album yet ?

[Danhod]

*deleted*

[lost]

A message from Aaron.

“Many of you have been wondering what has happened to the band since we cancelled all our shows back in late 2017. Well, here is the answer.
In September 2017 my beautiful little daughter, just five years old, was diagnosed with cancer. This event devastated the whole family as well as close friends and of course all of My Dying Bride and related colleagues. A black hole of worry and panic opened up before me and I was fearful of what was to come. The horror that surrounds this terrible disease is real and brutal and relentless.
The highly destructive but very necessary poison that is chemotherapy was started and after a time, surgery removed the main tumour but it had spread. Early 2018 a second major operation was needed to finally get rid of the visible mass but cells were still in her body so radiotherapy took place to destroy these. The side-effects of both chemo and radio therapies left her a broken and sorry little thing and my heart was aching like never before. As the father of a deeply sick child, I was on the brink of total implosion.
After the worst year of our lives, and stress beyond belief, we were gifted the news that so many other people never get; she is clear. She has beaten one of the cruellest of Gods bitter and loveless creations. Despite this positive outcome, there will be years of tests and potential complications which may result in many returns to hospital. I will fear for her every day for the rest of my life and hope that when I finally go to my grave she will be a strong and forthright woman.
We really need to thank the wonderful people at the NHS Childrens Hospital in Leeds for everything they have done and also the wonderful Candlelighters, childrens cancer charity for their endless and loving support.
The band took a small hiatus at the devastating news but gradually began to muster forces and start work on the next LP which we can happily tell you all, is well under way and in fact, is almost complete. I have not taken part in any writing as yet but will return to the fold this week, pen in hand and a new focus and eagerness to fulfil my role as wordsmith and vocalist for this remarkable band. We have returned!

Cheers
Aaron”

[Lycaon]

As someone who was hoping for a 2018 release - who knows, it might still happen - I feel like I am part of this eager mass of fans trying to get the band to finish the album. Knowing the reason for the delay completing this album feels like the most unimportant thing imaginable. Take your time Aaron, family first.

[lost]

A nightmare. Gut wrenching. In this situation everything else becomes so unimportant. But I am glad that the worst is over!
All the best to you all

[Lychfowel]

A nightmare. Gut wrenching. In this situation everything else becomes so unimportant. But I am glad that the worst is over!
All the best to you all

Exactly my thoughts as I read the update. I got this dreadful feeling right away, and then it turned out well and I was so relieved, and then came the info on the new album and it just seemed so unnecessary and unimportant.

Cheers Aaron, cheers My Dying Bride
Cheers y'all

[DarkLink]

I cannot even just conceive the nightmare Aaron went through. I'm releived to read she responded well to the treatment and that you can now move on to a new cycle. I wish all the best to the MDB family.

[Frits]

What a devastating period that must have been for the Stainthorpes. All my compassion is with them and their little fighter. I'm thinking positive thoughts that no reoccurence happens.

I'm actually thinking that we should do some kind of benefit because this kind of treatment comes with a pricetag. Would anyone be up to help out? Set up a show in your local underground venue, find some bands who want to play and donate all revenues to the family? I'm just throwing it out there

[lost]

"I was somewhat overwhelmed by the response to my personal statement a couple of weeks ago regarding the terror that struck my family recently. You are great people MDB fans and I love you all!
I mentioned the wonderful children’s cancer charity Candlelighters, who have supported and aided us through these very challenging times and without them, I’m not sure where, mentally, I’d be right now. Some of you asked about a Giving Page for them and so I decided to check it out and the link is below. I’m not asking you all to make a donation but even if 1% of you did – it would make a difference to a young life.

Here is the Giving Page - Thank for any donations.
https://www.justgiving.com/sso/signin?c ... et_profile

In the future I will be auctioning many rare and interesting items on eBay to help raise more funds for this wonderful charity. I have been given some great items from Northern Music Company (Paradise Lost, Opeth, Katatonia, Devin Townsend Project, Anathema etc..) and Nuclear Blast (way too many bands to list here) who have been very generous with their support as well as sending hope throughout this last year. Thank you guys! I have no date set as yet but keep checking here to see when the auctions will begin. Oh yes, there will be some super-rare MDB stuff too!
Cheers, Aaron"

Links below

Northern Music Company -
http://www.northernmusic.co.uk/artists/

Nuclear Blast -
https://www.nuclearblast.de/en/shop/ind ... NvEALw_wcB

[Frits]

Donation made!

Don't know how it works in other countries, but over here, if you make a donation to charity, you can fiscally deduct it in your tax form. So if you're doubting, that might be an extra reason

[Melkoroth]

New interview with Aaron

http://www.doom-metal.com/interviews.php?entry=1604

I wish him all the best in these hard times....

[lost]

Thank you!

[Lycaon]

Thanks for sharing Melkoroth, this interview might contain the most detailed account of MDB's formation to date.

[Frits]

Very interesting longread indeed, very literally quoted, but that's probably how you chose it to be published. Laughed my face off with the Swedish soccer match with Iron Maiden , didn't catch that anecdote yet.

[Lychfowel]

Fantastic reading! Thanks.

I kind of feel bad about calling this thread "The silence, the waiting, then the pain" now in hindsight, but I hope people understand I just pulled a phrase from a MDB song because I didn't have any other idea for the thread's title.

That being said, I have done quite a bit of waiting (to keep it on topic anyway lol) because I bought a The Light at the End of the World T-shirt like six years ago and today finally I had downsized my body enough to wear it for the first time ^^

[firebird]

Looking at some old pictures recently I recognized something funny - obviously the release of "The Light at the end of the world" did impress me very much (sorry Mr Stainthorpe - I really do NOT want to offend anyone!).

[lost]

Any update/news on the album or whatever? Hope everything is fine now!

[Lychfowel]

Can't wait to hear the new album!

[Danhod]

Recording vocals in progress

Is he done now?

[The Last Lonely Man]

Recording vocals in progress

Is he done now?

Album is completed and been handed over to the record label.. So hopefully it might see a winter release!