Since its inception in 1994, Tobias "Lord Esgaroth" Micko, the mastermind behind Suffering Souls, has crafted a symphonic black metal universe defined by intensity and depth. With An Iconic Taste of Demise, Lord Esgaroth delves into philosophical and religious themes with poetic brutality while expanding his artistic horizons through an audacious comic book. This latest opus, featuring sophisticated orchestration and a cinematic atmosphere, is paired with a daring visual narrative that reimagines biblical stories through a dark and provocative lens. In this interview, Lord Esgaroth delves even deeper into this universe.
Serial Metalbums: Could you walk us through the creative process behind An Iconic Taste of Demise? How did the band approach the songwriting and composition for this album compared to your previous releases? Were there any significant changes in your workflow or collaboration as a band?
Lord Esgaroth: Since SUFFERING SOULS was founded in 1994, I, Tobias 'Lord Esgaroth' Micko, have taken on creative responsibility for the band. This means that I have always written all the lyrics and songs myself. This approach allows me to pursue a clear and uncompromising vision that defines the core of the band. “AN ICONIC TASTE OF DEMISE” is no exception. Each piece comes from my own inner world, and the lyrics and music reflect the dark themes that inspire me. It's a kind of cathartic process that allows me to delve deep into emotional and philosophical depths and let them flow into the music. Even though I compose everything alone, I occasionally work with outstanding musicians, like this time with Michiel van der Plicht (Pestilence) as a session drummer. His extraordinary precision and his feeling for the intensity of my songs enriched the album in many ways.
Serial Metalbums: During the recording phase, did you experiment with new instruments, production techniques, or symphonic arrangements to achieve the album's unique atmosphere? If so, could you share some specific examples?
Lord Esgaroth: During the recording phase of “AN ICONIC TASTE OF DEMISE” I consciously experimented with different elements to enhance the dark and epic atmosphere that characterizes Suffering Souls. I used new orchestral VSTs to make the symphonic arrangements even more detailed and powerful. For example, the choirs and strings on this album are significantly more complex and intense than on previous releases.
A concrete example of this is the track “FROM HUBRIS TO DEMISE”, or “IN THE ORDER OF DOOM”, which also has an official video, up to “SOUL DEVOURER”, in which I use a mix of traditional string arrangements and a dissonant one Synth pad worked to create an unsettling, almost apocalyptic mood. In addition, in some passages of the album I added subtle effects such as high, female-like voices, also of me singing or speaking, singing children's voices, of my children, which expand the sound landscape and underline the narrative depth of the album.
There were also changes in the guitar sound: I tried different amplifier plugins to achieve an even more aggressive yet clearer sound. All of these experiments flowed into the album and helped realize the vision behind “AN ICONIC TASTE OF DEMISE”.
Serial Metalbums: What are the central themes explored in An Iconic Taste of Demise, and what inspired you to focus on these ideas? Are they rooted in personal experiences, philosophical concepts, or fictional narratives?
Lord Esgaroth: The central themes of “AN ICONIC TASTE OF DEMISE” revolve around the destruction of paradise, the crucifixion of Jesus and a radical, brutal reinterpretation of the biblical stories. For me, these topics are not just a provocation, but an opportunity to question deeply rooted religious and cultural dogmas.
I find inspiration in philosophical concepts that deal with the breakdown of the moral order and the deconstruction of ideologies. Nietzsche, especially his criticism of religion and morality, has a great influence on my texts. At the same time, personal considerations play a role: the question of how faith shapes and oppresses people, and what happens when these structures fall apart, runs like a common thread through the album.
However, the texts themselves are highly metaphorical, often using almost apocalyptic imagery. The crucifixion of Jesus, for example, is presented not only as a historical event, but as a symbol of the failure of the divine order. The “redesign of the Bible” is not a mere paraphrase, but a complete rejection and reassessment of what is considered truth.
All of this combines with fictional elements that paint a dark, nihilistic vision: a world that destroys itself in order to be reborn from the ashes. free from the burden of old myths.
Serial Metalbums: Looking back at your career, how would you describe Suffering Souls' evolution from your first album to An Iconic Taste of Demise? In what ways has your sound, songwriting, or vision changed over the years?
Lord Esgaroth: When I look back at the development of SUFFERING SOULS, I see a journey marked by both musical and personal maturation. My first MCD “Cries of Silence” from 1999 or specially the demo “WHEN SILENCE CRIES ETERNALLY” (1998) to the first album “TWILIGHT RIPPING SOULS APART” released in 2000 was an expression of raw emotions and a clear vision to create symphonic black metal that combines atmosphere and heaviness. But back then I was just starting out, my sound was less developed, the arrangements were more direct and the production was extremely simple.
With each successive album, I not only refined my musical skills but also broadened my creative horizons. “AN ICONIC TASTE OF DEMISE” represents the highlight of this development so far. Here technical sophistication, orchestral depth and conceptual rigor merge on a new level. My songwriting has become more complex and expressive over the years, but at the same time more targeted.
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Lord Esgaroth: The response to “AN ICONIC TASTE OF DEMISE” has been overwhelming so far. Especially the fact that the album has been nominated four times worldwide for Metal Album of the Year 2024 is an incredible milestone and an honor that makes me very proud. It shows that the work and dedication that went into this work is noticed and appreciated by both fans and specialist media.
Reviews were mostly positive, with many reviewers highlighting the combination of intense heaviness and symphonic depth. A frequently mentioned point is the album's dense, almost cinematic atmosphere, which sets it apart from many other releases in the genre. I was particularly pleased that some critics praised the courage and consistency in the thematic focus, especially at a time when many bands are making compromises in order to appear more accessible.
Of course, there are always critical voices, and I take them just as seriously. Some felt that the orchestrations are sometimes so complex that they almost overwhelm the raw black metal elements. But I see that more as a matter of taste, because this fusion is exactly the core of SUFFERING SOULS. Ultimately, such feedback is always an opportunity to look at my work from new perspectives, but I stand firmly behind my vision.
Serial Metalbums: How did your partnership with Fetzner Death Records and Satanath Records come about for this release? What drew you to work with these particular labels? How have they supported the album's release and promotion? Were there any creative or logistical contributions from their side that stood out?
Lord Esgaroth: The collaboration with Fetzner Death Records and Satanath Records arose from a rather difficult history. I was originally signed to Trollzorn Records, but the label proved to be extremely unprofessional and tried to exclude me financially. Thanks to the support of a lawyer, I was able to successfully terminate the contract, which freed me up to look for better partners for “AN ICONIC TASTE OF DEMISE
Fetzner Death Records and Satanath Records were very interested from the start and made me excellent offers that were both financially and artistically fair and transparent. The decision to work with these labels was therefore easy for me. Both recognized not only the quality of my music, but also a deep understanding of my vision and the meaning I attach to my work.
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In terms of release and promotion, both labels have done a great job. Fetzner Death Records primarily took over the physical production and distribution of the album, while Satanath Records took care of the digital promotion. Particularly impressive was the close collaboration in global marketing, which helped the album receive international attention and was even nominated for Metal Album of the Year several times.
They gave me complete freedom creatively, which was particularly important to me. At the same time, their logistical support, from the high-quality production of the CD and vinyl version, which is due to be released soon, to the targeted promotion on relevant platforms, was a key factor in the success of “AN ICONIC TASTE OF DEMISE”. I couldn’t ask for better partners for this release.
Serial Metalbums: What inspired the idea to create a comic book based on An Iconic Taste of Demise? Was this something you had planned from the beginning, or did it develop during the album's production?
The idea of creating a comic based on „AN ICONIC TASTE OF DEMISE“ actually came about during the recording of the album. It was a spontaneous thought, but one that fits perfectly with the themes and deep symbolism of the album. Together with Thorsten from Dahli Comics, the concept developed to create a true Bible, a redesign that is not only provocative, but also encourages us to question fundamental worldviews.
The inspiration came primarily from the lyrical content of the album itself. The lyrics are about the total destruction of paradise, the crucifixion of Jesus and a radical, brutal redesign of the biblical stories. This visually and narratively rich material was crying out to be implemented in another medium. A comic seemed like the perfect choice to visualize the album's dark and profound messages in a tangible, yet artistic and disturbing way.
In Thorsten from Dahli Comics I have found a partner who completely shares my vision. His ability to capture dark and complex themes in striking images has helped take this project in a direction that takes the essence of „AN ICONIC TASTE OF DEMISE“ to a whole new level. The comic should not only serve as an accompaniment to the album, but also be an independent artistic statement that further deepens and interprets the contents of the album.” can be ordered now via Fetzner Death Records.
Serial Metalbums: Could you introduce the comic book to our readers? What kind of story or narrative does it tell, and how does it tie into the album's music and lyrics? Are there any visual elements, characters, or scenes that you feel are particularly important for capturing the essence of An Iconic Taste of Demise?
Lord Esgaroth: The comic book for “AN ICONIC TASTE OF DEMISE” is a dark, 44-page illustration and an uncompromising expansion of the themes and visions that shape the album. It tells an alternative, brutal truth about the Bible that breaks all boundaries of shame. The story is peppered with explicit, violent and pornographic scenes, making it a work aimed exclusively at an adult audience. It is an unsparing examination of worldview reshaping that delves deep into the depths of faith, power and depravity.
The main protagonist of the story is none other than Lord Esgaroth himself. He has been pulling the strings of ruin in the background since the beginning of time. The comic portrays him as a supernatural force driving the manipulation, disintegration, and reshaping of the biblical narratives. The story reveals how the so-called Truth was corrupt from the beginning and how the world is plunged into chaos by its influence.
The visual implementation plays a central role.
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The comic is in direct lyrical harmony with the album's lyrics. The songs provide the soundtrack to the narrative and create a connection between the auditory and visual elements. One of the most powerful scenes shows how the world is completely remade by a massive upheaval, a manifestation of the brutal remaking that can be experienced in the music and the images alike.
This project is more than just a comic: it is an integral part of „AN ICONIC TASTE OF DEMISE“, another way to develop the album's themes and draw listeners into a world that will stir, provoke and make them think forces.
Serial Metalbums: How did you collaborate with the artists and writers involved in the comic’s creation to ensure it aligned with your vision for the project? Do you have any plans to continue exploring multimedia projects like this in the future, perhaps combining music with other art forms?
Lord Esgaroth: Working with Thorsten from Dahli Comics was a very intensive and controlled process. He delved deeply into the lyrics and music of “AN ICONIC TASTE OF DEMISE” to convey the essence of the album into the visual world. We were in constant communication and I oversaw every phase of the comic process to ensure the final product was exactly my artistic vision. It was important to me that every scene, every character and every mood reflected the dark, uncompromising atmosphere of the music and translated it into a visual medium.
As for the future, there are actually already considerations to combine my music with other extreme art forms. However, I won't be able to reveal more specific details until next year. What is clear, however, is that SUFFERING SOULS is always looking to explore the boundaries of music and art and explore new paths to shock people and make them think. I see multimedia projects like the comic as an important part of the artistic expansion of SUFFERING SOULS. There are so many ways to combine music and art to create new dimensions. This is just the beginning, and I look forward to continuing to pursue these ideas in the coming years.
There are also some exciting projects coming up for 2025. Firstly, the release of the LP and MC version of “AN ICONIC TASTE OF DEMISE”, which gives us the opportunity to present the album in a wider format. “I’m also planning to re-record my debut album “TWILIGHT RIPPING SOULS APART”. With the support of Mr. Klingbein, Belphegor’s drummer, the album will take on a whole new energy.” à partir de ces réonse d'une interview trouve moi un titre pour la review et écrt moi une introduction.
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