Interviews: Lychlake

We have had the opportunity to interview the Symphonic Extreme Metal band Lychlake from the UK. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or come out just like that?

Harry: I live on a farm, Litchlake Farm. Litch spelled Lych historically is the old English word for death as you have a litch gate in a churchyard. So the farm name means death lake. The local story is that after a battle in the area they disposed of the bodies in the lake, hence Lychlake.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Harry: Didn’t really plan to write in a specific genre we just knew we wanted to write extreme metal with symphonic flair.

Michael: I've always loved story-telling in music, and to be part of a project that has such grandeur and atmosphere has always been a dream of mine. And I love black metal, that helps a lot.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Harry: I knew Nolsey as we were in a band together before. We got on well and found we had almost the exact same music taste and ambition. That band broke up and I started working on stuff after that. Showed Nolsey what I’d been working on when I had some bits and he jumped on board. After searching for ages for a vocalist and going through a couple that didn’t work out we found Jack via a Facebook ad. From the first time we met we got on well and things just went from there.

Michael: Yes and no. I met Harry playing in a previous band through which we created Lychlake. So I met him playing music, just not this music. Jack, I met online while asking promoters to help us look for a vocalist.

Jack: Nope, I didn't know the members before the band was formed. It was by chance and stumbling across an ad calling for an extreme metal vocalist that I found these guys.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Harry: Right now I’m really enjoying Carach Angren but of all time I’d probably have to say Nightwish or Wintersun.

Michael: I'd have an aneurysm trying to think of a single answer, so you'll have to bear with me. Of all time, I'd have to say Cradle of Filth. But current favourites including Cradle are: Carach Angren, Fleshgod Apocalypse and certainly Wintersun.

Jack: My favourite band is a close tie between Bloodbath and Carcass.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Harry: My primary inspiration is the story. I find it really hard to write if I don’t have a story to tell.

Michael: Gothic literature and gothic women.

6. Where was your last gig?

Harry: We haven't played any gigs as a band. My last gig was demoing acoustic guitars in a music shop I used to teach at. There were a whole 6 people there! 

Michael: My last gig was with a previous band a couple years back, I can't remember the venue.

7. Where would you like to act?

Harry: I think playing a show in a forest clearing would be really cool, especially at Halloween.

Michael: Playing in a castle. Couldn't top that. 8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Harry: Sharing the stage with Wintersun would be cool.

Michael: Seregor of Carach Angren. Do some crazy horror shit, I'm always up for that.

9. Whom not?

Harry: I wouldn’t want to share the stage with Guns N Roses or Ed Sheeran. I’m dreading the upcoming Cradle of Filth Ed Sheehan collab.

Michael: Anyone who's been in Necrophagist. I'm not a good enough musician for that.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Harry: Yeah all the time. I have really bad anxiety, I had to leave school at 13 it got so bad. I’m almost a functioning member of society now(whatever one of those is). The best advice I can give is firstly to get out there and do stuff. Even something small like going to the shops is better than nothing. Start with small stuff and build up. Most importantly keep going regularly, try and build it into your everyday life. Secondly, sensory control has really helped if I can have a nice smell and a nice taste like a mint it makes things easier.

Michael: Not really been nervous myself. Being the drummer, I'm always tucked away in the back. Tip from me - if you're nervous, be a drummer.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Harry: My biggest inspirations would be Wintersun, J.S. Bach, Debussy and Chopin.

Michael: Cradle of Filth, Wintersun, Type O Negative, Mr Bungle and Emperor. 

Jack: In terms of vocal style Carcass is by far my strongest inspiration.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Harry: We don’t really have any fans yet.

Michael: We have fans?

13. What do you think of your fans?

Harry: I'm excited for us to have some.

Michael: Considering my fans would be my parents. They're alright.

14. What do you think of our site?

Harry: I think it’s always great to promote new music of any kind.

Michael: Amazing! The fact you're even making time for tiny bands like us (not in height) shows how much you care about the music. And that shows on your site! 

15. Something to add?

Harry: The Tragedy of Doctor Faustus is out now!

Michael: Practice