Interview: Lychgate – Individuality, Darkness and the World of Precipice

 

LYCHGATE: “We can do anything we like” – On Precipice, individuality and black metal

There are bands that fit comfortably into a genre, and then there are bands like Lychgate.

Since forming in 2011, the UK band have carved out a sound that sits somewhere between black metal, doom, progressive music and the darker corners of classical composition. Organ has become one of the defining elements of their music, but Lychgate have never sounded interested in following an established formula – or in fitting neatly into the scene around them.

Their latest album, Precipice, was released in December 2025 through Debemur Morti Productions and continues the dystopian themes that have long surrounded the band’s work.

With Lychgate heading out for a run of UK shows alongside Fen and Cistvaen, HMT caught up with the band to talk about individuality, the importance of atmosphere, influences far beyond metal, their complicated relationship with the black metal scene – and where the band goes next.

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Lychgate doesn't really sound like anything else out there — was that always the goal, or did it just end up that way?

It was never a goal. It just comes out that way naturally. We all have our own tastes and paths in life. Lychgate was the result of choosing to be an individualistic band with our own goals and not to follow whatever is popular.

The organ is such a big part of your sound — how did that come about?

The second album, ‘An Antidote for the Glass Pill’, was initially inspired by the idea of horror in film and music. Organ is an instrument that can be very effective in capturing that. However, I was deeply fascinated by composers utilising organ in any case, so it would have happened regardless.

Your music feels very cinematic and dark — what kind of atmosphere are you trying to create?

We’re more interested in film and classical music for this project than we are actual metal bands, even though we obviously have our own influences metal-wise. I’m particularly interested in the 1920s. A lot of remarkable things happened in music in that decade.

How do you usually start writing a song — where does it begin?

I normally just hear an idea in my head and then I develop it through transcription or programming. Sometimes I come up with an idea when I am improvising. Something begins by being just a few seconds long. Small things become big things.

Are there any influences outside of metal that people might be surprised by?

I like Radiohead ‘OK Computer’ a lot. People in the metal scene tend not to talk about it, but it’s a masterpiece.

The underground black metal scene can be very closed off — how do you experience being part of it?

I don’t think we are part of it. We never used “satanic” or occult imagery and lyrics, and we always straddled the edges of the scene, since black metal was always just part of our sound and not all of it.

I would even say I feel uncomfortable sometimes, since I believe bands should belong together when it comes to live shows, for instance. Sometimes it just doesn’t make sense to have a black sheep in there.

Ironically, I’m a purist when it comes to black metal. I believe it should be true to itself. That’s not a contradiction. The early 90s were “true”, and so was the last Abigor album (‘Taphonomia Aeternitatis - Gesänge im Leichenlicht der Welt’). One was a second-wave inception and the other an authentic development of it, and not some false regurgitation.

What does Precipice mean to you compared to your earlier work?

It is a continuation of previous (dystopian) themes – the band at its best so far.

How important is it to you that listeners actually engage with the lyrics and themes?

It is good if people engage with everything in an album, but I would rather people engage fully with the music. Lyrics are always secondary.

What's the best and worst thing about being in a band like Lychgate?

Best: we can do anything we like. Worst: it will never be truly popular or completely welcome in the metal scene.

What's next for you?

We are currently writing the next album. In the meantime we will play some shows.

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Precipice is out now through Debemur Morti Productions.

Thanks to Lychgate for taking the time to speak with HMT.