Interview with Vokodlok

Today, the band Vokodlok from Romania can be considered a pagan black metal cult, with an impact at least throughout Europe. This year, they released an album called The Egregious Being, which has been receiving positive reviews mainly from black metal listeners, and beyond.
Alan – Hi guys, so how long have you been around? You also have some hiatuses where you didn't play. Tell us something more about it.
Dragos – The band was founded in the year 2000, marking a quarter of a century since its inception. After several line-up changes and the release of materials such as Unchain the Wolf and Mass Murder Genesis, the band went on hiatus as some members chose to focus on their personal lives. The project was revived in 2020, when Ghiaur and Urmuz recorded and released Oracle’s Fury.

Alan – This year, you released a new album called The Egregious Being. How long did you work on the album?
Dragos – The album has been in development since the onset of the pandemic. Ghiaur, Urmuz, and Nemgrá focused on crafting the instrumental parts, while Pestarzt took on the task of writing the lyrics for all the tracks—except The Human, where Urmuz contributed with additional ideas.

Alan – Where did you record the album? Did you have anyone else to help you? Where did you master it? And how do you like the work?
Dragos – The album was recorded in Sweden and Romania. The instrumental part was recorded in Sweden at Apocalypse Studio and the vocals were recorded at Consonance Studio. The mixing of the album was done by Ghiaur at Apocalypse Studio and the master was done by Jon Sjölin.

Alan – You have had a lot of positive reactions to it, not only from reviewers, but also from fans, even from abroad.
Dragos – We have received a lot of positive reviews from around Europe and even from Mexico. Mixing a lot of genres into one is never easy and it can fail as a result, of course, but it seems that Vokodlok’s mix is a success and fans and reviewers alike are enjoying it.

Alan – Where will you present the album? Will you tour Europe? You are not an unknown band. This album is also sold in the Czech Republic.
Dragos – The band has already toured in Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia in February to promote the new album, but other gigs are still being planned. Stay tuned!

Alan – Speaking of the Czech Republic. Do you know any Czech or Slovak bands? Black metal, for example? Stínadla?
Dragos – Yes, I do know some Czech black metal bands — the underground scene there is intense and rich in atmosphere. Stínadla is new to me, but I know Cult of Fire, Trollech and Trist. Now that you mentioned it, I will have a look on the Slovak bands. I know so little about their black metal scene.

Alan – If you had to describe each song briefly. What would you say about it, both musically and lyrically?
Dragos - The idea of the album is about how man shifts, transforms.  So, each song is about his transformation and about what he feels throughout the process.
The Human :
A dissected hymn to flesh and bone. The song begins with a nearly anatomical description of the human body — skin, marrow, organs — but quickly spirals into transformation. The riffs evolve with the lyrics, moving from organic structure to beastly mutation. By the final verses, the human is lost, replaced by something primal, infected, and no longer conscious of morality. A perfect opening — grotesque, ritualistic, and viscerally poetic.

Death Terror :
A song that embodies fear, mutation, and physical collapse. Each riff builds on the idea of the body losing control, transitioning into terror and death. The vocal approach reflects psychological disintegration. Uncertain and chaotic, the structure benefits from layered screams, echoing inner panic and external annihilation.
Warzone :
A hellish soundscape of napalm, gunfire, and screaming silence. Alternating death and black metal vocals reflect both the chaos of the battlefield and the breakdown of the mind in war.
Disdain :
A furious manifesto against hypocrisy. The lyrics lash out at religious delusion, false redemption, and performative morality. Riffs alternate between contempt and vengeance. It's rage — sharpened and philosophical.
Bestiarium :
A descent into the mind as a monstrous grimoire. Each page reveals depravity, knowledge, and inner transformation. The atmosphere is introspective yet unhinged. The riff structure reflects a slow unraveling of moral sanity.
Jagh 'lw vlpoQ :
An epic war anthem sung in Klingon — a language of warriors and vengeance. This track marches forward with honor and savagery. The bat'leth swings, skulls crack, blood flows. It's both ancient and futuristic. Layered vocals (some screamed, some chanted in Klingon) give it the sound of a battlefield ritual. 

Denizen : 
A short and violent explosion. Like a beast breaking free of its chains, this song is pure kinetic energy. The riffs strike fast and leave impact. Perfect for a bridge between two major conceptual arcs. This is the moment where rage takes over — no control, no conscience.

The Faces Within :
    The centerpiece of the album — a philosophical and spiritual dissection of inner evil. The lyrics describe the sins that lie beneath a benign exterior. Seven sins, seven poisons of the self. Alternating black and death vocals serve to represent the multiple voices inside the "Being." The structure moves between theatrical and punishing. Ideal for a long, crushing build and a slow fade into madness.

The Monster :
    The final form. No longer human, no longer moral. The voice is deeper, slower, almost exhausted by the weight of what it has become. Spoken passages could describe thoughts from within — the monster’s last flicker of self-awareness before fully descending into savagery. Ideal for closing the album with overlapping screams, tortured ambience, and a crushing, slow doom-like breakdown.

Alan – Why did you name yourself Vokodlok?
Dragos – The name is derived from the Slavic word vukodlak which means werewolf. 

Alan – Let's have a little fun. Did you have any funny experiences while performing or recording the last album?
Dragos – Yes, I think each time something funny will happen at some point. On this one we had fun when recording the vocals for the Jagh 'lw vlpoQ song. You have no idea how hard is to growl those words. The pronunciation itself is difficult, not to mention when you try to do screams with it. It was a funny session overall  

Alan – What do you have or will you have as an accompanying program for this album? Video clip? Special show? Extensive tour?
Dragos – We want to promote this album as much as possible, we are also planning some gigs for the next year. We have done some videos to promote the music and more are to come.
Our shows are straight forward for the moment. But at some point, probably we might do special sets or organize some shows that will bring more than the music itself.

Alan – Thanks for the interview. Maybe we will meet at a concert sometime. Maybe with the band Stínadla.
Dragos – We would like to thank you as well for your efforts and support! Yes, looking forward to that.
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