Slough of Despair emerges as a new force in the worldwide doom metal scene and stands poised to leave their own mark on the genre. As the curtain rises on our conversation with Panos (guitar), we delve into the depths of the Greeks’ musical journey and uncover the essence of their creative process. Doom or be doomed!
by Ira Bounia
Hello guys, how are you?
Hello Ira, we are fine, thank you for the invitation.
Before we start, we would like you to tell us your names and the roles in the band.
Yes, of course, we are: Barry Copestake (vocals, he comes from England, he is also a member of Elderseer), Panos Lambropoulos (guitar), Giannis Tziligkakis (guitar), Nikos Georgakis (bass) and Dimitris Sinaris (drums).
How did you come up with the name “Slough of Despair”?
I was looking for a title that fits our music… I mainly wanted a title that captures emotions, that brings you to a deadlock and expresses despair.
You are an active band since 2018 with your first album released in April 2020, titled “Catacombs of Terror”.
A period of two years elapsed during which various changes in band members occurred, and compositions were worked on until we reached the final result.
And now, in 2024, you are releasing new material titled ‘Deluge Of Regrets’.
It’s an EP that will also be released in physical format during the year.
Tell us a bit about your new work.
The new material is more complex. There are more influences from bands of the genre, and it definitely caters to the larger portion of the audience that would like to hear something from doom metal.
What are your influences? Tell us your favorite bands that have musically influenced you.
Our influences are My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost, Katatonia, Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus κλπ.
Do all band members participate in composing the songs?
Yes, in the new material, all members participate, and this is something that pleases me greatly because everyone has something to contribute, thus strengthening the band.
When was the orchestration of the songs for your new work completed?
The EP was recorded in 2023, although the compositions have been completed for some time now.
Do you share common musical tastes among yourselves?
We all have more or less common musical tastes that cover the majority of the metal scene.
Have you considered starting to present your work in live performances in the near future?
We are preparing to make some appearances throughout the year, and we want to come out strong with our new material.
Thank you very much for the time you’ve dedicated to me. Good luck, and I hope we can meet in person soon.
Thank you as well to Myth of Rock for the interview…
