Hi! Can you give a brief history of Yog-Sothoth, including the music style and the members?
I started Yog-Sothoth as a solo project because I really got into symphonic black metal. Inspired by bands Bal-Sagoth, Zel Agganor and Runeshard I wrote the EP "Through the Gates of the Silver Key". The band name and the lyrics are inspired by Lovecraft's works. I chose the name Yog-Sothoth because in an RPG campaign, me and my friends had finished not so long before I started the project my character was a Yog-Sothoth cultist, and it was one of my favourite characters ever. There are 2 band members right now: me and Zann. I write the music, he writes the lyrics. He's really good at it so when he agreed to help me I was very happy. We're working on the second album, which is gonna be pretty amazing in my opinion.
Could you provide more detailed information about Through the Gates of the Silver Key and its sales performance?
The EP "Through the Gates of the Silver Key" is heavily inspired by Lovecraft's mythos. Musically it is influenced by Bal-Sagoth and similar bands. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw that people like and support it. It got more popular than I expected it to. We get a bunch of streams every day on various platforms and even sold a few CDs! We're grateful to have such supportive audience. It gives us great motivation to write more music.
Yog-Sothoth has signed with no label. Could you tell us more about that?
Yeah, we're currently independent. Maybe we'll put out the second album through a label, who knows. If we get a good deal from a label, we'll probably sign it. But I want to have the freedom to write whatever I want and whenever I want. The music I write is something more than all that commercial stuff that is flooding the market nowadays, and I want it to stay true. Not in an elitist way, but in the music being an honest expression of myself way.
What is the difference between your latest record and the band's very first rehearsals?
Well, it's a solo project so I couldn't really rehearse with myself ;p. There was never a Yog-Sothoth rehearsal.
What inspires Yog-Sothoth's music and lyric writing? What do Yog-Sothoth's lyrics talk about?
As I said, lyrics are inspired by Lovecraft, and the music - by bands like Bal-Sagoth.
Do you play live often? Do you enjoy performing abroad?
We have never played live. But maybe we will. I'd love to do that some day.
How often does the band practice and work on new material?
Again, we don't rehearse. We only write and record stuff for now.
What are the band's plans for the near future?
We're recording a new album. We'll put it out, maybe play some local shows. We'll see.
Do you have a message for Iron Backstage readers?
If you like our music, follow our socials, we're gonna be putting out more info about the upcoming album soon. Thanks for listening to our music and for all the support you give us - it really means a lot to us.