Yog-Sothoth Interview

 

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the solo project?

I started Yog-Sothoth because I really got into symphonic black metal and just wanted to write music like that. I wrote and released the EP and was surprised how much everyone liked it, so I decided to continue the project. I was recently joined by my childhood friend Zann, who is currently helping me write lyrics cause he's really fucking good at it. If you like Bal-Sagoth, you'll definitely like Yog-Sothoth. 

2.In August you had released an ep, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

When I was writing the EP I was going for a more Bal-Sagoth type sound. I think I managed to get it pretty close while also adding a bit of my own style into it and not making it just a copycat band. Other bands that inspired Yog-Sothoth's sound were Zel Agganor or Runeshard.

3.A lot of your lyrics and the band name are inspired by the writings of H.P Lovecraft, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in his work?

My first exposure to Lovecraft's work happened around 2018/2019 when a friend of mine asked me if I wanted to join him and his team in a session of the table top RPG "The Call of Cthulu". I instantly fell in love with all the Eldritch stuff and decided to start reading more about it. A few years later I permanently joined the RPG team. My new character was a Yog-Sothoth cultist - that's where the project's name comes from.

4.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the cover?

There's not much to the artwork - just a picture taken last winter with Yog-Sothoth in the sky. I made it and thought it looked cool.

5.Currently there are only 2 members in the band. are you open to expanding your line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?

If we meet any talented musicians who would like to join us, we will definitely consider adding them to the line up.

6.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

We got one offer but we rejected it. We're open to working with a label and it would definitely make some things way easier for us, but on the other hand it might make us treat Yog-Sothoth more like a business. We want to keep making art and if we ever find any label that will want to help us make art and not business (which is unlikely), we will sign a deal.

7.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of symphonic black metal?

I did not expect the reaction to be so positive. After the release of "Through the Gates of the Silver Key" I got a lot of comments and DMs saying that people loved the EP and were impressed with the songwriting. It's really motivating. Thanks to everyone who listened and left such positive feedback!

8.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

I finished writing music for a new album like a week ago. Zann is finishing up some lyrics. We have one song recorded already. We're not sure about the release date yet - me and Zann are starting uni in a few days, which might slow down the recording process. We're hoping to have it done by the end of the year. You can expect the release some time next year.

As for my future as a musician, I'd like to gather some people and play a few local Yog-Sothoth shows. Maybe go on tour if our budget allows it. I mainly want to keep making art and express myself through it. The direction my music goes heavily depends on the direction my life goes as my music is kind of an image of my soul.

9.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?

My musical journey started with classical music. My parents would play me classical music all the time. At the age of five my favourite song was Vivaldi's Spring. I joined a choir, and later went to music school to study playing the organ. When I was around 12 my brother got me into punk. After listening to punk for a few years, I finally discovered metal. My first metal subgenre was power metal with my first band being Powerwolf. I then discovered more symphonic bands and thought it was cool. I went through every metalhead's mandatory Mayhem phase and started looking for more black metal. That's when I discovered Bal-Sagoth. I fell in love with symphonic black metal instantly. I'd say the biggest influences on my music are Vivaldi, Bach, all the Chris Bowes' bands (mainly Gloryhammer cause of symphonic stuff), Bal-Sagoth and Zel Agganor.

10.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts/

I'd like to thank everyone who supports Yog-Sothoth in any way. It means a lot. If you're curious about the upcoming album, follow us on Facebook and Instagram - we post updates and little snippets there sometimes.

https://linktr.ee/yogsothothband

Yog-Sothoth/Through The Gates Of The Silver Key/2024 EP Review

 

  Yog-Sothoth  are  a  duo  from  Poland  that  plays  a  very  symphonic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2024  ep  "Through  The  Gates  of  The  Silver  Key".

  Symphonic  sounds  start  off  the  ep  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams  and  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  at  times.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  all  of  the  drum  beats  are  programmed.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  music  also  being  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  mid  90's  era,  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.

  Yog-Sothoth  plays  a  style  of  symphonic  black  metal  that  goes  back  to  the  classic  era  of  the  genre.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  based  upon  the  writings  of  H.P  Lovecraft.

  In  my  opinion  Yog-Sothoth  are  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  black  metal  duo  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Curse  of  Innsmouth"  and  "Rituals  Of  The  Black  Pharaoh".  8/5  out  of  10.

  https://linktr.ee/yogsothothband  

    

Ensiferum/Winter Storm/Metal Blade Records/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Finland's  Ensiferum  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  controls  the  epic  style  of  folk  metal  from  previous  releases  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "Winter  Storm"  which  will  be  released  in  october  by  Metal  Blade  Records.

  Folk  instruments  and  acoustic  guitars  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  orchestration  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  and  the  vocals  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  black  metal  screams.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  clear  vocals  mix  pagan  and  power  metal  together.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  

  Spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  on  a  few  songs  along  with  a  couple  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  one  song  also  introduces  a  small  amount  of  female  vocals  onto  the  album.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Shamanism,  Magick  and  Fantasy  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Ensiferum  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  enjoy  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Winter  Storm  Vigilantes"  "Scars  In  My  Heart"  and  "Victorious".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.ensiferum.com

https://www.facebook.com/Ensiferum
https://www.instagram.com/ensiferummetal/

  

Gates Open/Black Clouds Over The World/Inverse Records/2024 EP Review

 

  Gates  Open  are  a  band  from  Finland  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  very  melodic  and  blackened  mixture  of  death  and  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  ep  "Black  Clouds  Over  The  World"  which  will  be  released  in  October  by  Inverse  Records.

  A  very  hard  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  ep  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  Vocals  are  mostly  blackened  metal  screams  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  thrash  metal  elements  and  death  metal  growls  are  also  utilized  at  times.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  modern  era.  Most  of  the  songs  also  stick  to  more  of  a  mid  tempo  direction  with  only  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  and  fast  playing  being  utilized  and  one  song  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing.  

  On  this  recording  Gates  open  remain  true  to  the  melodic  and  blackened  mixture  of  death  and  thrash  metal  that  they  had  established  on  their  previous  release.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes. 

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Gates  Open  and  if  you  are  a f an  of  melodic  black,  death  and  thrash  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Nightmares  Coming  True"  and  "Gates  Of  Rock".   8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/gatesopenband 

https://www.instagram.com/gatesopenband 

https://gatesopen.bandcamp.com 

https://youtu.be/SX2vkPowiZA

https://youtu.be/LWgHQN84p4g   

The Crown/Crown Of Thorns/Metal Blade Records/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Sweden's  The  Crown  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  melodic  mixture  of  black,  death,  thrash  metal,  grindcore  and  punk  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "Crown  Of  Thorns"  which  will  be  released  in  October  by  Metal  Blade  Records.

  A  very  heavy  and  brutal  thrash  metal  sound  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  grindcore  elements.  When  tremolo  picking  is  added  into  the  faster  riffing  they  also  take  the  recording  into  more  of  a  black  metal  direction  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  80's  style  death  metal  growls.

  At  times  the  music  also  captures  the  raw  energy  of  punk  rock  while  the  solos  and  leads  also  remain  true  to  more  of  an  old  school  extreme  metal.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a very  powerful  sound  to  them,  clean  playing  is  also  added  on  some  of  the  tracks.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  of  the  vocals  also  mixing  in  the  more  aggressive  side  of  thrash  metal  as  well  as  some  whispers  also  being  utilized  briefly  and  they  also  add  more  of  a  modern  approach  to  an  old  school  style,  one  song  also  adds  in  a  brief  use of  female  vocals.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Anti  Religion,  Satanism  and  Violence  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  The  Crown  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "I  Hunt  With  The  Devil"  "Gone  To  Hell"  "God  King"  and  "The  Storm  That  Comes".  8 out  of  10.

  http://www.thecrownofficial.com/

https://www.facebook.com/thecrownofficial/

https://www.instagram.com/thecrownband

https://x.com/thecrownsweden

https://www.youtube.com/user/thecrownsweden  

Ephialtes/Melas Oneiros/Black Lion Records/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Ephialtes  are  a  band  from  Poland  that  plays  a  very  melodic  and  blackened  form  of  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "Melas  Oneiros"  which  will  be  released  in  November  by  Black  Lion  Records.

  A  synth  orientated  intro  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  direction  while  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.  Vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  the  songs  also  add  in a   good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Clear  singing  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  album  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  on  some  of  the  tracks  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  death  metal  elements  as  well  as  some  of  the  songs  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length,  growls  can  also  be  heard  at  times  and  the  album  also  has  its  progressive  moments.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  archetypical  characters  and  events  that  are  iconic  and  significant  for  humanity.  

  In  my  opinion  Ephialtes  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  blackened  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "To  The  Victims  Of  Sirens"  "Children  Of  Arachne"  and  "The  Blood  OF   The  Gods".  8 out  of  10.

  https://ephialtesblacklion.bandcamp.com/album/melas-oneiros (CD, Digital)

https://storeblacklion.bigcartel.com
https://orcd.co/melas-oneiros 

https://www.facebook.com/EphialtesOfficial
https://www.instagram.com/ephialtesofficial

Oryx/Primordial Sky/Translation Loss Records/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Oryx  are  a  band  from  Denver,  Colorado  that  plays  an  atmospheric  mixture  of  black,  sludge,  doom  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "Primordial  Sky"  which  will  be  released  in  October  by  Translation  Loss  Records.

  A  very  dark,  heavy  and  atmospheric  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  all  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  Elements  of  sludge  and  doom  metal  are  also  added  into  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  along  with  the  vocals  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  death  metal  growls  mixed  in  with  a  few  black  metal  screams.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style.  Clean  playing  and  acoustic  guitars  can  also  be  heard  on  some  of  the  tracks  along with  some  synths  also  being  utilized  briefly,  all  of t he  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  whole  album  also  sticks  to  a  slower  direction.

  Oryx  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  atmospheric  black,  sludge,  doom  and  death  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  life,  death  and  the  cosmos.

  In  my  opinion  Oryx  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  mixture  of  black,  sludge,  doom  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Primordial  Sky"  and "Look  Upon  The  Earth".  8  out  of  10.

  https://orcd.co/primordialsky

https://www.facebook.com/theeoryx/

https://www.instagram.com/thebandoryx/