Greetings! It’s a New Release Friday and there is one more album I want to get on your radar/in your playlist for today. That would be In My Grave…Silence, the third installment from Oregon-based atmospheric acoustic doom project Dolven. Led by main songwriter Nick Wusz, with Jason Walton, Hunter Ginn, and Jori Apedaile alongside, this familiar lineup (Agalloch, Eneferens, Canvas Solaris, and more) have created something that is equal parts pensive and immense. The various layers to this sound are sure to pull you in, so let’s not waste anymore time now that its release date is upon us. Give Nick’s response to our Profile questions a read below and hit play on that Bandcamp embed below. Enjoy!

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How and when did you first get into playing music, or metal more specifically, and how did your band get its start? Any pushback from family/those close to you?

Hi! Thank you for the questions. I have been playing music since the early 90’s, I got my first guitar when I was 15. Metal has been in my life constantly since I was 10 years old or so. I have an older brother that showed me the way. I realize now that I was a bit neglected as a child, so my parents did not really have any clue what I was up to. As long as I had good grades and stayed out of trouble, they didn’t police me in any way.

How would you describe your band and what you play to someone who is completely in the dark?

Dolven is acoustic doom…plain and simple. We play doom metal but with acoustic guitars. We are influenced by traditional doom…Solitude Aeturnus, My Dying Bride, old Anathema, and of course, the greatest influence of all…Warning. This music is so emotional to me…I really do have a hard time sharing it with others…I don’t feel like pushing it, I really don’t even talk about it very much…and if I do talk about it, I just tell them to check it out on Spotify or something…I don’t know or care if anyone likes it.

Is there anything about your latest album or about your band that no one will find in any interview or review that you care to divulge?

Our first two albums showcased an amazing voice…Haily Lauer, but on our new album, we decided to try a more emotional, gentler voice…so we asked Jori Apediale to join. I am so thankful for this kid…he is so sweet and caring, and his voice just drips with emotion, perfectly matching my guitars. I have known Jori for a few years, through Jason Walton, and am thankful to be able to showcase his clean vocal talents on this album. We also have a new drummer…Hunter Ginn…who can absolutely shred the tubs, but has patience and stability to play doom as well, he is so skilled on the throne… I am very proud of what we created.

Any funny stories from playing shows / tours / festivals, etc?

We have never played live! I am not sure how a live Dolven show would work. Right before the pandemic, we talked about a live show, and even found a second guitarist…but you know what happened to the world after that, so it never came to fruition. I imagine playing a European doom festival…man, that would be a dream. Who knows.

What do you see as some of the great things happening in and around the metal scene (yours or just in general) and what are some of the worst things happening right now?

For me, the resurgence of “old school” death metal, has been incredible…young kids paying homage to the death metal gods of early 90’s…Blistering Rot, Frozen Soul, Oxygen Destroyer and Blood Incantation…it is incredible what is happening! The stability and quality of My Dying Bride and 40 Watt Sun continues to blow my mind, and Dungeon Synth music all seems so fresh to me… I am deeply ingrained in that scene as well. I can’t think of any “worst” things happening, maybe I am not paying attention enough.

Most folks have passions for a cause or causes that are close to them. What, if any, are some of the most important issues (social/political/humorous/etc.) for you / your band and how do you insert those issues into your music?

I am obsessed with the concept of my eventual demise. I know death is near, I feel it creeping up on me…but for me, that is a liberating feeling. It allows me to live my life how I like…to follow paths and hobbies and dreams that fulfill me because I know it’s all going to be over soon. I am at peace with it. I enjoy the challenge of staring death in the eyes. I have been through traumatic deaths in my personal life, I know it is coming for me, as well. I volunteer at an organization that helps people going through the death of loved ones–we go to the house where the person just passed away at home (suicide, overdose, old age, etc) and help the surviving family members find funeral homes and grieve with them. It is powerful and very very fulfilling. It is amazing that my “skill” at coping with death can be useful, who would have thought?

Do you have day jobs or hobbies you want to share?

We all have jobs, lives, responsibilities, and families. I have a 19 year old daughter who is away for college, and have been able to spend so much more time on music since she has left, that has been a nice thing despite her absence. I am a pilot; I have my instructor’s certificate, so I teach others how to fly airplanes…little Cessnas. Besides music, I have other hobbies too…woodworking, fixing up retro tech (jukeboxes, walkmans, VCR’s, etc) and travelling. I love to see the world and experience other cultures.

What advice do you have for music critics and outlets out there? How can we all better serve
the genre in the eyes of a hard-working musician?

I have a hard time even knowing where to look for new albums these days, it is very confusing and overwhelming to get good information. I still read Decibel (thanks to Jason hooking me up), but otherwise, social media is where I hear about things, I suppose. And friends recommendations. I appreciate critics and reviewers, so thank you for your efforts…you better give our new album a good review! Ha. It really is awesome when someone takes the time to sit with your album and digest it, to feel it…that is a rare thing in these days of short attention spans.

Any specific long term goal(s) in mind?

I think playing live for a special event or festival would be great. Other than that, no specific goals for Dolven…I love having it as an outlet for my deep seated thoughts…that will continue.

When you’re not obsessing over your own material, what are some of your favorite albums to
listen to currently?

I have a few dungeon synth projects, and dungeon synth adjacent projects that I play in: Travellers Rest, The Pub Mouse, and Neon Wizard. I also have a “meditation folk” project called Noble Witness. I really enjoy solo work, where I can have full control and put things out faster than when I am in a full band. As far as listening, I have been obsessed with BC VHS (synthwave), Fernmage (synth), Bubble Blade (synth), new Benediction, Laceration (death metal), Fief (medieval synth), and Myleneard (English folk synth). I am constantly listening to music!!! It is a huge part of my life.

What is the near future outlook for you or your band? Any specific events on the horizon that the
masses should be aware of?

Just really excited to have our new album “In My Grave…Silence” out on June 13, 2025. I am still amazed that we had THE LEGEND HIMSELF Dan Swanö mix and master this shit…I can’t believe it!!! I truly cant wait for people to hear it…I do believe we will be taking this to “the next level” with this new album.

Summarize your band in one word.

Melancholy.

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Many thanks to Nick and Dolven for the time!

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In My Grave…Silence is out on vinyl through Winding Stair Records, and on CD and cassette via Fiadh Productions. For more information on Dolven, head over to Facebook or Instagram.