Judging by their press one-sheet alone, The Victor Mourning are one of those bands that MM tends to like a lot. It talks of performing dark, thought provoking, starkly haunting songs that tell the tales of grief-torn outcasts, of confidences betrayed, of piracy, and murder.

It goes on to mention a song about a man who eats nothing but locusts and Campbell’s soup, another about a traveling albino, and an unexpected version of the ancient Greek myth of Icarus set in the hills of rural Arkansas.

The proof as always is in the listening though, but with classic storytelling, soaring vocals, and melodic fiddle, what’s not to like? The band creates music with an old time feel filtered through a modern sensibility, at once both relevant and true to its ancient roots.

We have two tracks for you to sample; the downcast Taste My Hand and the spritely backwoods jig of Zachariah. Both are from the band’s debut album A Handful Of Locusts which was released a few days ago and is available to order here. It also has some of the best cover art we’ve seen this year.

Visit their MySpace here. Visit their website here.

Download The Victor Mourning – Zachariah mp3 (from A Handful Of Locusts)

Download The Victor Mourning – Taste My Hand mp3 (from A Handful Of Locusts)