“With a long, hard road behind us, we are keeping our focus on the road ahead,” states Post Mortum guitarist, Brysson, in reference to the band’s upcoming Bulwark Records release. Since forming in the heart of rural Ohio’s Amish country in 2004, Post Mortum has faced nothing but hardships and challenges. “Nothing has ever come easy for us, yet we have never backed down from a challenge,” Brysson claims.
In the center of America’s heartland where there is little to do but watch the corn grow, Post Mortum set the example of rising against the odds to pursue dreams regardless of the cost. As just a bunch of kids finishing high-school, the band prioritized their lives, focusing on what they wanted to do and who they wanted to be. Independently released in 2005, Post Mortum’s “in-your-face, heavy-hitting” debut album titled Fixed Retina effectively encourages people to get their focus and priorities on where they want to go in life.
Post Mortum faced a whole new set of challenges as they left the comforts of their homes and began extensively touring the country. Band members came and went as marriages, finances, and strenuous schedules proved overbearing to some. Yet the band continued to move forward with a growing tour schedule as they inked a deal with Ocean View Records and released their first national release, Road Ahead, in 2007. “Drip”, the first single off of Road Ahead quickly reached number two on CMJ radio charts and remained there for nine weeks, as the album swept across the country and overseas.
“The biggest challenge we ever faced came in the spring of 2008,” Brysson tells. The band was sailing high with their Road Ahead release and a nine-month touring schedule already booked solid, but three weeks into the tour frontman Dru Yost unexpectedly left the band. Directly following his departure was the death of a close friend and two family members, two robberies, and an encounter with a hit-and-run 18-wheeler which left the band mourning for loved ones, with no laptops, no clothes, no violin, and no trailer. Yet somehow they only cancelled two shows. Drummer Dan Miller remembers asking a stranger to use their computer just to look at the band’s website for their tour schedule so they could figure out where to go next.
Meanwhile, instead of supporting the band, Ocean View Records dropped Post Mortum from the label. “In the midst of a crowded downtown Memphis, TN, I’ve never felt so alone, deserted, and betrayed in my life,” recalls Brysson. “I felt like the world had turned its back on me. All we had was each other, and I questioned why we were doing this. The lyrics in the chorus of 'Dysfunction' were repeating over and over in my head. Lord I’m scared, wake me from this nightmare.” But instead of giving up and returning home, Post Mortum only grew closer and more focused as they kept pushing forward.
Having been pummeled by a whirlwind of disaster, Post Mortum has continued to stand firm and rise above it all. “These trials have taught us life lessons of who we really are and what really matters in life,” says violinist DeRock. Post Mortum’s song “Still Alive” has taken a new deep, personal meaning in the band. I’ve been through the utmost pain, nothing to live for, nothing to gain… But an array of hope shines through as the dark verse reaches the chorus, But now I’m still alive… climaxing to the inspirational breakdown, Never can I die!! Never can I die!! “The song has become an anthem to us,” states vocalist/bassist AP.
Through their perseverance, Post Mortum is preparing to release a completely remixed and remastered version of Road Ahead on Bulwark Records featuring a brand new track. “Since the album has taken on a new meaning for each of us, we wanted to redo it bigger and better this time with proper label backing, so that we can continue to share the passion that this record has stirred up in our hearts,” Brysson says. “The new track, ‘One Regret’ is about how all of the regrets in our lives boil down to one thing, and that is not waking up every morning with our focus where it needs to be. We want to see everyone reach their goals in life whether it’s to be a doctor, an artist, a computer programmer, or a mailman, it doesn’t matter. We just want to encourage and inspire you to focus on and pursue that dream no matter the course and no matter the obstacles you face. You can overcome it all. DON’T GIVE UP!! Let’s all continue on this road ahead together...”
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