Emerging from the historical depths of Nottingham, Tigguo Cobauc crafts a unique blend of Enochian Black Metal that intertwines the weight of ancient history with modern sonic experimentation. Their music, deeply influenced by the mysticism of John Dee and the cultural heritage of their hometown, In this exclusive interview, we delve into the band's origins, their creative process, and the evolution of their sound; culminating in their latest opus, A Fountain of Anguish Is Gone.
Serial Metalbums: For those unfamiliar, could you introduce Tigguo Cobauc in a few words? What's your sound, and what sets you apart from other metal bands? How did the Tigguo Cobauc project come to life? What's the origin of the band name?
Wayne (Keyboards): Tigguo Cobauc is an Enochian Black metal band from Nottingham. Enochian refers to the language of the spirit world, the raw heaviness of doom, and the atmospheric qualities of black metal. The band was formed in 2020 by Luca, who sought to explore darker, heavier sounds than those in his previous band, Even Vast. The name Tigguo Cobauc, meaning "place of caves" in Anglo-Saxon, connects to the history of Nottingham, as it was the name by which the city was originally known.
Serial Metalbums: Each member brings a unique element to the band. Could you briefly introduce yourselves and discuss your role within the group? What musical influences have shaped your sound? Which bands or artists have inspired you the most?
Wayne: I’m responsible for the keyboards, I founded the band with Luca as our influences work very well together, we each have an eclectic taste in music that far outreaches just metal & punk, i take a direct influence from classical to jazz, blues & rock, reggae, hip hop & EDM, as well as the hardcore punk, industrial, thrash, death metal, nu metal, doom & black metal, as you can see a broad pallet to paint with! My direct influences broadly are those that innovate & play with passionate energy, Bach, Miles Davis, Bob Marley, Kurt Cobain, Cliff Burton, David Gilmour, Jimi Hendrix & Bill Steer that kinda player.
Luca (Guitars): I'm the one behind the band's concept, image, and sound. My influences go from Celtic Frost (especially the album Into the Pandemonium) to Dead Can Dance (all their albums), which is why we have the experimental song Deliverance. Tigguo Cobauc's sound is always evolving while keeping a heavy edge. You can see this change from our first album, Trial By Combat, to our latest one, Fountains of Anguish.
Luca: For Trial By Combat, the writing process is more like a jam sessions, which helped maintain a more in your face attitude. Wayne and I collaborated on the composition of both Tigguo Cobauc and Gjallehorn's Warning. The Ancient Tales from the Eternal Caverns EP is more raw, as we used demo tracks and included some live bonus material. This approach captures the unfiltered energy of our performances and showcases the band's evolution in a more organic way. Both releases are more oriented towards blackened sludge compared to our new album.
Serial Metalbums: Your latest album, A Fountain of Anguish Is Gone, marks a new chapter in your career. How did you approach the writing and recording of this album? Were there any changes compared to your previous projects?
Luca and Wayne: The band has a clear creative direction that we follow, and the Fountains of Anguish album represents the next step in that journey. This album places a greater emphasis on atmosphere, something that the entire band is eager to develop further. The addition of keyboards has added another dimension to our sound, drawing inspiration from our post-punk influences, and it works exceptionally well, especially in our live performances.
I believe we have become a bit more polished and professional over time, and our songwriting methods have certainly evolved. Typically, each track begins with a riff and is developed as organically as possible into the finished piece. For example, songs like "Deliverance" started with an idea for a story, and the music was crafted around that concept. This approach allows us to create a richer narrative within our music, enhancing the overall listening experience. Additionally, collaborating with Esben Willems, the producer and drummer of Monolord, has significantly contributed to finding our unique sound.Working closely with him has allowed us to enhance our musical vision and fully realize the atmosphere we aimed to achieve on the album. This partnership has been invaluable in shaping our identity as a band and in bringing our creative ideas to life.
Serial Metalbums: How did you receive the feedback from both media and fans on your latest album? Were there any reactions that particularly stood out to you? And You describe your music as Enochian metal. Could you elaborate on this concept and explain how your music differs from other metal subgenres?
Wayne: The press we've received has been phenomenal, with one reviewer describing Fountains of Anguish as an album of the year contender! Special thanks to Neil at the Black Metal Archive for his support!
However, it's the live experience that matters most to us as a band. Before and after our shows, we cherish the opportunity to connect with fans who are curious about our creative process, influences, and the gear we use. These interactions make all the hard work truly worthwhile.
Regarding our visuals, we draw inspiration from John Dee and is Hermetic philosophy, the Enochian symbols and the alchemic experiments. It is so named because the Biblical figure Enoch was the last human to speak it until it was communicated to 16th-century natural philosopher John Dee by angels. Aleister Crowley also extensively utilized Enochian in his work. Enochian elements are integrated into our imagery, including the sigil surrounding our band logo and the esoteric sigils that appear on our merchandise, adding an additional layer of meaning to our artistic identity.
Serial Metalbums: Your hometown, Nottingham, seems to be an important source of inspiration for your music. How does this city influence your creative process? And can you talk about the atmosphere you wanted to create with this album?
Wayne and Luca: Nottingham itself plays a huge role in shaping the sound and atmosphere of the record. The city is steeped in ancient history — it’s the legendary home of outlaws, a place where stories like Robin Hood were born. Beyond the myths, Nottingham’s rich historical fabric is tangible in its landscape: from the iconic sandstone caves, once used for smuggling and later converted into homes, to the very streets that echo with centuries of stories. It's a place where the past and present collide, creating a unique cultural energy that we couldn’t help but absorb.
But Nottingham is not just a city frozen in time. It has transformed into a modern, cosmopolitan hub that boasts one of the best nightlife scenes in England. The energy of the city today is vibrant and eclectic, yet it’s still rooted in its deep historical roots. There’s an undeniable connection between the old and new, and it’s almost impossible not to feel the weight of history while living here — whether you're walking through the city center or spending a night out on the town. When we began working on the album, we didn’t set out to consciously channel the essence of the city. But as the songs began to take shape, the influence of Nottingham was undeniable. The atmosphere we created kind of took on a life of its own, and we followed that natural progression. It felt like the record was growing and evolving alongside us, taking on its own identity. The scope of the sound is massive, and much of that is thanks to Esben Williams' brilliant production. His ability to bring the album to its full potential—creating a soundscape that reflects both the energy of the city and the depth of its history—was crucial to making the vision a reality. Ultimately, this album is a reflection of where we are and where we come from. It’s deeply connected to Nottingham, its past, present, and the spirit of its people. And while it’s a record that stands on its own, it couldn’t have come from anywhere else.
Serial Metalbums: What are your plans for the future? Are you considering a tour, a new album, or other creative projects? and what do you think of the current metal scene?
All Bands: There are plans for tours in 2025, as well as plenty of UK gigs in between. There's also some exciting news on the horizon, including new releases. Fountains of Anguish was already released on December 20th through Exitus Strategem Records in the Americas. Keep an eye on our socials for all the details to come…
One of the things I truly love about the entire alternative community — not just the metal scene — is how it's constantly evolving and reinventing itself. You’d be lying if you said you loved everything, but it’s inspiring to see that it will never die and continues to inspire new generations.
