Phobetor. Interview with Marc Dyos

Interview by Andrew Stanton

Phobetor are a very cool band from the UK. Andrew Stanton talked to drummer Marc Dyos about the new album.

- Can you tell our readers a bit about your history, please?

The band was formed by Debora (Conserva, vocalist) in 2018, and although the lineup was quite fluid during this early period the band quickly got to work writing original material and took to the live circuit, capped by a performance at the Camden Underworld alongside Krysthla and Memoriam in early 2020 which is when I joined the band. Later that year we released our debut album ‘When Life Falls Silent’. The departure of guitarist Mitch Revy following the release of ‘When Life Falls Silent’ marked a new era of line-up stability in the band with the arrival of guitarist Ross White (Pythia, Lunatic Hooker, Descent) and bassist Dredgewood (Meat Train). We wasted no time in getting to work on the follow-up album, with recording completed in September 2021. ‘Through Deepest Fears and Darkest Minds’ was released on December 13th 2021.

- What bands did you like growing up?

I suppose I took the usual path of first discovering bands like Iron Maiden and Metallica, before finding my way to more extreme bands like Carcass, Napalm Death and At the Gates.

- Have Cradle of Filth made it very difficult for British Black Metal bands to be taken seriously?

I think we fall more in the Death Metal category so I’m probably not best placed to comment, but it happens in all genres and subgenres that one or two bands takes a more accessible and mainstream direction and are immediately accused of betraying their musical roots. There’s a lot of bands out there, and if you don’t like a particular band then listen to something else. I’ve heard a few cool more recent British Black Metal bands, some more traditional Black Metal, some more ambient/experimental, but none seem hindered or affected by whatever COF are doing. I’ve not heard the new COF album as yet but will give it a spin at some point.

- What are your lyrics about?

Debora’s lyrics tend to be quite personal, so even when she’s writing about war or political systems she will write from a personal perspective, empathizing with the individual. Other than that she tends to cover quite a lot of ground lyrically, but generally quite dark and emotive.

- Can you explain the cover of Through Deepest Fears and Darkest Minds, please?

I became aware of Brian D’Agosta’s work after seeing the cover art for Vallenfyre ‘Splinters’ and I thought his style would fit well with vision we had for the album. We chose that particular artwork because of certain elements contained within it. The eyes and the tower signify the constant control and power of someone or something watching, depicting a connection between the feeling of being observed and controlled from a distance, and the anxiety, struggle and fear which arises from it. The artwork ties in with the theme of the album which in many ways tries to understand and empathise with human struggle not just from the self-perspective but also from the perspective of others who have no escape from a cruel existence.

- What do you think of the UK Metal scene?

The music industry is in a period of transition still at present, and Metal music or the UK is no exception. Perhaps the covid situation has accelerated these changes or perhaps it will bring about a counter-change?... we will see.

There is no shortage of talent and effort from newer bands, but it is extremely difficult to climb the ladder to “greater things”. Many people are prepared to pay £100+ to see the bigger bands but won’t pay £5 at a local venue to see some of the more under ground talent, which is a shame but it’s the world we live in now. Bands not only need to compete with other bands but also with home entertainment films, gaming etc meaning that people are perhaps staying in more, so those who do make the effort to attend the smaller shows, buy a CD or t-shirt really are worth their weight in gold.

- Why do magazine never want to talk about Black Metal?

I’ve not noticed that to be honest, but as I say, I’m no Black Metal connoisseur. The magazines that I’ve tended to read over the years always seem to have features on all aspects of extreme metal including Black Metal, and not just the well-known bands.

- What can fans expect from your new album?

The new album has definitely moved the band towards a Blackened Death Metal sound, with elements of Behemoth, Carcass and Vallenfyre. Its high energy but not afraid to tackle slower tempos and retains some of the groove and swagger of the first album.

- Do you have a message for our readers?

Keep supporting the underground bands. Buy a CD or some merch to help them keep writing and recording, and most of all… enjoy music!