SHEOGORATH started ten years ago after disbanding my former band Synthesis. I had the idea to create a solo project where I could unite all kind of different metal styles but did not want it to be instrumental only. I can´t sing at all. So, one evening out I asked Patrick, that I have known from school, “Let´s have a black metal band?”. He just replied “Yeah, sure”. Pretty simple. Patrick also just left his former band Satanic Cockrockers as vocalist and guitarist. It was an opportune moment.
2.You have a new ep coming out in early 2023, musically how does it differ from your previous releases?
The major difference is that we have real drums for the first time ever. This was the last missing piece in our music that we needed to sound like we always envisioned it to. Michael Kolar did an outstanding job on the drums.
3.Most of your lyrics are based upon video games, can you tell us a little bit more about the games you have covered lyrically so far?
Besides the Elder Scrolls universe we generally cover concepts and ideas about a dark dying universe and outer gods which are not within our mind's grasp. Most lyrics are not directly about another game's lore but try to tell their own little story in their own closed of universe. However, games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne have influenced Patrick a lot and when you read through older lyrics you will most certainly find some hints.
4.I know that the band name is named after 'The Elder Scrolls' series, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these games?
Back then Patrick and I were simply awestruck by the video game Skyrim. Also spending a lot of time with its predecessor Oblivion, it felt natural to find a band name originating somewhere from this fantasy universe. We came up with Sheogorath, the Daedric Prince of Insanity and Madness that seemed most representing for our potpourri of different musical influences and various styles leading to our acoustic trademark as band.
5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new ep cover?
Our music shall convey a video games metal feeling as a whole. Therefore, and the EP also being released in winter, we looked for something suitable. This artwork stands for barren frozen landscapes, video games and black metal. A combination of different styles that shall be represented musically.
6.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you open to expanding the line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?
Well, for us it has worked out as a duo quite well until now. I write the music, Patrick does the lyrics. Then we do last refinements in our music and song writing together as a last step before hitting the studio. We both are not against expanding the band members, but we are also not actively enforcing it. At this level, most people are great musicians and also great with their instruments. There has to be a bonding on the human aspect for us.
7. The new ep is going to be released on 'Art Gates Records', how did you get in contact with this label?
Like doing job applications, haha. Send out as many as possible and wait for replies. At the end we got three offers from different labels. Art Gates Records seemed most suitable and most reasonable for us, therefore we decided to ink a deal with them.
8. Has the band done any live shows or is this strictly a studio project?
No, we haven´t done any live shows with Sheogorath. The band is currently set up as a studio project only. Patrick and I did many gigs with our previous bands, so at some point, we are missing this experience.
9. On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of melodic and extreme metal?
Our responsibility is to deliver the best possible quality in terms of recording, mixing, mastering and of course song writng to our fans and those who eventually will become one. It is up to each individual to decide if they like our songs and what we stand for since the beginning. As for our fans, some are very courteous and are trying to help us e.g., forwarding our music to some magazines, inviting us to some gigs. That is very nice and we appreciate it very much.
10. Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We will stay true to our fans and ourselves. Therefore we are going to publish our music in regular intervals. You will always get a surprise, but you will always get Sheogorath! Other than that, we would like to do some gigs, indeed.
11. What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
For me it was mostly Children of Bodom, Ensiferum and Old Man´s Child back then when I started playing the guitar. I can´t put my finger on it nowadays, I like all kind of different music styles, when I like it. My most recent discoveries were Rimfrost and Kvaen for example. As for Patrick: I started out with classical heavy metal influences when I learned to play the guitar. At the age of 14, I started performing live with my rock/metal band but got more and more into “extreme” genres like death and black metal. My first big inspiration was Jari Mäenpää (Ensiferum) and he is the reason why I started to train to growl. The biggest influence later on when I became a young adult was Valfar (Windir). I was so deeply impressed by his music and the rhythmic patterns of his voice as an instrument. I started to collect some vinyl's and listen mostly to old personal classics nowadays like Midnatens Widunder (Finntroll), Voimasta ja kunniasta (Moonsorrow), At the Heart of Winter (Immortal) or De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (Mayhem).
12. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Keep pursuing your goals if you render them worthy and be prepared to put a lot of persistence into it. Still, remain realistic. It´s going to be hard, that is normal. We would appreciate it, if you give us a listen. Maybe we have exactly the right amount of everything, what you have been always looking for.
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