With their new EP “The Void or The Abyss,” Dutch trio MoD take listeners on a dense, emotionally loaded journey. Released via Octopus Rising, the (un)-parallel label of Argonauta Records, the record blends Stoner, Doom, Post-Rock, and even Grunge nuances into a cohesive and cathartic whole. We had the pleasure to dive deeper into the
band’s creative process and personal stories behind the songs.
Let’s start from the beginning: How and when was MoD formed and what’s the meaning of your band’s name?
The band was formed about 15 years ago. The name derives from minions of Doom, but over time it evolved to MoD.
The EP is released through Octopus Rising, a label that promotes innovative and emerging sounds. How did this collaboration come about, and what does it mean to you to be part of such a roster?
Well we played a show with another band who was under there roster, and I figured we might fit in with them aswell. So we contacted them. We see it as a great compliment and honor that they want to work with us.
The title “The Void or The Abyss” immediately suggests something introspective and existential. What inspired this title, and how does it tie into the themes explored in the EP?
It’s a metafor for choosing between 2 evils. Especially in this fase of our lives it can often feel like all the cards are wrong. We figured this title reflects that.
Each track seems to touch on very personal themes — from family illness to political disillusionment. How challenging was it to channel these experiences into music?
Not that difficult, because the vocals are close to the heart.
Sonically, the EP is a melting pot of Stoner Rock, Doom, Post-Rock, and even some Grunge textures. Can you talk about how you developed this blend and whether it was a conscious direction or a natural evolution of your sound?
It’s bin a natural evolution, it’s a combination of what we listen to, and things we want to try out.
Let’s talk about the recording process: the EP was produced at Digger’s Studios by Bart de Groot himself. What was it like self-producing your own material? Do you feel it allowed for greater creative freedom?
Hard, this EP has bin recorded in several diffrent “sessions” and we had a line up change in between aswell that
made things kinda chaotic. We did learn alot from the proces tho.
“Bring It On” stands out for featuring John van Kouteren. What led you to this collaboration, and what did John bring to the track in terms of mood or dynamic?
On the recording he screams haha, and he was our old guitarist and wrote most of the song. We could use it but we figured it would be fun if he was on the end result.
Tracks like “Years” and “House of Sand” stand out for their emotional weight and layered textures. Could you tell us more about the writing and arrangement process behind one of these pieces?
Years started as a really old riff, on which we kinda spirald. We where all listening to alot of post rock at the time so that song took that direction.
Your music seems crafted not only for the ears but for immersive live experiences. How do you approach translating these sonic landscapes into your live shows?
We act like we feel in those moments, so I guess you have to see it for yourself haha.
What’s next for MoD following the release of “The Void or The Abyss”? Are you planning any tours, physical releases, or perhaps already working on new material?
We are working on new songs at the moment for our future full length, and we hope to see some gigs forming haha
Thanks a lot for taking the time to answer our questions. We wish you all the best with this intense and powerful release and look forward to following your journey closely!
Purchase and Stream the new album here: https://album.link/MoD