Stereo Six: Portland Sludge Sluggers LORD DYING Discuss the Concept Albums that Greatly Influenced ‘Mysterium Tremendum’

We’re back with another groovy Stereo Six article, a series wherein a band or musician recounts how 6 albums (5 plus 1 random curve ball) impacted one of their recent or upcoming recordings. This time around, Portland, OR’s progressive sludge sluggers Lord Dying discuss some of the music that pushed the band to new explore new sonic limits on their upcoming third studio album, Mysterium Tremendum.

Due out worldwide on April 26th via Entertainment One, Mysterium Tremendum’s eleven new tracks were recorded at the Los Angeles-based West Valley Recording Studios with engineering courtesy of Mike Plotnikoff (Fear Factory, In Flames) and mastering via Howie Weinberg (Slayer, Nirvana, Pantera.

Being that the release, coming soon in CD, double LP, and digital formats (get your pre-order on right here), is concept album which explores death and various ideas of afterlife, it’s only fitting that guitarist and vocalist Erik Olson shared the six records that influenced him the most during the writing process of Mysterium Tremendum.

The album Mysterium Tremendum hits shelves on April 26th, via eOne.

01. Pink Floyd – “Dark Side of the Moon” (1973, Harvest)
– This album needs no introduction or justification. This is a masterpiece in my eyes; possibly the greatest concept record every put to wax.

02. Electric Light Orchestra – “Out of the Blue” (1977, Jet / United / Artists CBS)
– This is another great concept record. I love Jeff Lynne’s song writing because he makes outsider music that’s extremely catchy. Blending string instruments with synth and guitar to make catchy pop tunes. So awesome.

03. Queen – “A Night at the Opera” (1975, EMI / Elektra)
– This one is another masterpiece. Nothing like it before. Brian May’s guitar playing and tone are unmatched. The vocal harmonies on “The Prophet’s Song” are incredible and inspired me to try a different approach as well.

04. The Fucking Champs – “IV” (2000, Drag City USA)
– This album will always hold a special place in my heart. Instrumental metal at its finest. The riffs, the compositions, the tone. This record is flawless.

05. Elliott Smith – “Either/Or” (1997, Kill Rock Stars)
– This is one of my favorite albums ever. I’ve never heard anyone sing about addiction and depression with such honesty. Such an incredible song writer. Gives me the chills every time.

06. [Curveball] Johann Sebastian Bach – “Unaccompanied Cello Concerto in D Minor” (Composed between 1717 and 1723)
– I love all the “Unaccompanied” minor cello concerto’s but the one in D minor is so dark and beautiful. Very inspiring and easy to lose yourself in.

Mysterium Tremendum Track Listing:

01. Envy The End
02. Tearing At The Fabric Of Consciousness
03. Nearing The End Of The Curling Worm
04. The End Of Experience
05. Exploring Inward
06. Severed Forever
07. Even The Darkness Went Away
08. Freed From The Pressures Of Time
09. Lacerated Psyche
10. Split From A World Within/Devoid Of Dreams/Death The Final Loneliness
11. Saying Goodbye To Physical Form

We “Envy the End” of this song. Plus of Lord Dying’s other tunes too.