Interview by Ali Williams
If there’s one thing metal fans adore, it’s passion — and talking to Yoth Iria’s Nikolas and Jim (the legendary Jim Mutilator, no less) proves the Greeks have it in spades. Despite what might be the most lag-ridden Zoom call in human history, we all the patience of monks and the enthusiasm of headbangers at their first gig. And managed to have a conversation bursting with humour, honesty, and riffs of wisdom about their latest album, the evolution of Hellenic metal, and why live music is the truest form of human connection.
Yoth Iria’s sound is best described as new wave of Hellenic darkness— unmistakably forged in the fires of the Greek black metal scene — continues its ascent with new album which was unleashed late last week. Jim describes it as “the new wave of Hellenic black metal”, but with experimentation that stretches far beyond borders. The record blends everything from gothic metal and thrash to traditional Greek folk motifs and the odd splash of punk — a sonic gyros with a side of dark melody.
Nikolas adds with a grin that the secret to their evolution lies in balance: “You have to keep your identity but explore new worlds. You can’t just replicate yourself forever — that’s not art, that’s photocopying.”
There is undeniable chemistry behind the chaos, and artistic chemistry, seems to be their real superpower. Jim and Nikolas compose like siblings who occasionally disagree but always end up laughing about it over beers. “We’re different in style,” Jim admits, “but that’s our secret to success. It’s the difference that makes the music breathe.”
Their writing process is refreshingly organic: jam first, talk later. Most songs start with a tiny spark — maybe just a riff or rhythm — and expand like wildfire. Lyrics come after, inspired by atmosphere and emotion. As Jim puts it, “The music leads the words. If the song is dark, you tell a dark story.”
When asked if Yoth Iria might ever drop a full album in another language, the pair chuckle like men who’ve debated this over many coffees. For Jim, English is practically sacred: “No English, no metal!” he jokes — then softens to explain that English simply fits the cadence of heavy music. Nik agrees, saying “It’s a musical language — it flows. But sometimes, using other languages adds flavour. Like spice.”
Their latest track Government Fallen even slips between tongues, using language as texture rather than translation — proof that metal, more than words, is a feeling. Back in the day, hearing your track on the radio was the ultimate high. Now? Nikolas argues that YouTube comments hit harder than FM reception. “With radio, you never knew what people thought. Now, I can see reactions in real time. It’s like instant crowd energy.”
Jim, the veteran of the pair, laughs about his first-ever song being played on air — circa 1985, with his pre–Rotting Christ band Black Church. These days, he says, the internet is a double-edged sword (or, in true metal fashion, “a knife — you can cut bread with it, or kill a man”). Used wisely, it connects artists and fans like never before. Used poorly… well, that’s social media for you.
Studio sessions for Yoth Iria are more family gathering than military operation. Most of the work happens at Nikolas’s home — complete with home-cooked meals, laughter, and beer-fuelled brainstorming.
“We’re not obsessed with being perfect professionals,” Jim says. “We’re lovers of music.” Still, when the time comes, they polish things off properly in the studio. After all, their blend of emotion, melody, and aggression deserves the full ritual treatment.
If Yoth Iria is anything, it’s a live band — one built to melt faces under stage lights. With a European tour kicking off late May, the duo are ready to bring their brand of dark majesty to fans across the continent — and, fingers crossed, beyond. The U.S. and Australia are on their wish list, though logistics (and visas) make those destinations trickier. Still, both musicians agree: live music is where the soul of metal lives.
“It’s the meaning of metal — the transfer of energy between the band and the fans,” Jim says, eyes glinting. “Every show is a journey to my inner world.”
And I equally passionate, agree you just can’t replace that connection. Music is what keeps us human. As the conversation wrapped, Nikolas smiled through the lag: “It was a really good discussion. I really enjoyed this interview.”
So did we — because sometimes, even through static, you can still hear pure metal magic. Yoth Iria’s new album Gone With The Devil is out now.
