On their forthcoming studio album Ydos, Lithuania-based progressive metal outfit Black Spikes are throwing the rule book out, both thematically and sonically. Ydos, an ambitious concept record centered around human flaws and vices personified in the form of demons, is further brought to life through an experimental, genre-bending sound that toes the line between frenetic black metal energy and pummeling djent guitar performances, ambient soundscapes, and the occasional pop influence. Not to mention, vocalist Agni is a force to be reckoned with, alternating between guttural growls and high-pitched shrieks, coupled with ethereal and borderline angelic vocal melodies, primarily sung in her native Lithuanian language, adding yet another unique dimension to Black Spikes’ music.
Ydos is poised to not only be a landmark release in the heavy music scene this year, but also for the country of Lithuania at large. While not known as a major exporter of the genre, Black Spikes are singlehandedly putting their country in the spotlight, and the world will undoubtedly follow.
Ahead of the release of their ambitious new concept album Ydos, we sat down with Agni, vocalist of the Lithuania-based progressive-metal act Black Spikes for a conversation about vices, demons and putting their own unique stamp on modern heavy music.
Let's first touch on your forthcoming label debut album, Ydos, which is dropping on August 28th via Napalm Records. When you began the writing process for this album, what sort of prompted the idea to go all in on creating a concept record as ambitious as this? Did it feel daunting at first to write within those parameters, and did it take a while to get acquainted with structuring each song around specific human flaws and vices? Or was it actually the inverse, with the concept and songwriting process coming together naturally from the very beginning?
Agni: I think it was a little bit of both. In the beginning, it was exciting and easy because I remember in our first sessions for the album, we were already planning what this album should be about. We set a deadline for ourselves to write the album within three months and wanted to make sure the material felt fresh. Once we decided to do a concept record, we knew that whether we succeeded or not, it [ultimately] is what it is.
During the first writing session for the album, we wrote the single “MOTINA,” which really tells the story of the concept record. During the writing process, we created different stories about each [particular] vice and didn’t limit ourselves. Each vice has its own story, and you can even see these ideas transferred through the music videos as well.
Why did the concept of innate human flaws and vices feel so important for you to explore on this album? In the process, do you feel it has changed the way you look at humanity as a whole, or even caused you to look inward and confront some of your own flaws and vices? Was there one particular vice that felt especially natural or cathartic to explore, and if so, which song ended up becoming the vehicle for that?
Agni: The hardest song and vice for me to write about was “REVANA,” which translates to the word revenge. I am not a naturally vengeful person, so it was difficult for me to get into the mindset of a person who feels strongly about revenge. It took a lot to find that emotion within me, and I even had to channel some old feelings in order to tell the story.
The easiest song for me to write was “SENAS DEMONAS.” It has a bit of a twist, as it’s not about a specific vice, but is about an older person who is not afraid of their own demons and is instead confirming that life is shit and that you cannot find anything beautiful here. I see this emotion a lot in older people because they seem tired of life and don’t know how to truly live out their lives and lead with love and passion. I think this song is my favorite track on the album.
Each song, of course, tackles a particular vice or flaw, but you personify these characteristics in the form of demons. How did you go about connecting those two ideas through the lens of spirituality and demonology? Is that a subject you've always found yourself fascinated by, and more broadly, how do spirituality, mythology, or even witchcraft play a role in your day-to-day life, if at all?
Agni: I tried to bring in as many facts, historical aspects, and witchcraft elements as possible when I was writing music for this album. We actually filmed the music video for “REVANA” in the same place where the witch hunts in Lithuania took place. When I decide on a topic for a song, I try to dig in very deep and do lots of research from a philosophical and historical perspective. However, I understand that many people do not understand what we are talking about in our music because we sing in Lithuanian, but we’re always trying to put effort into translations and describe the meanings through our music videos.
I'd also love to touch on the fact that the majority of the album is sung in your native language of Lithuanian, with the exception of "ZELVAR." How important is it for you to remain connected to your cultural roots through your songwriting? Does it feel especially fulfilling to now be sharing your language, folklore, and stories with a global audience that may have never been exposed to Lithuanian music before? And why did "ZELVAR" ultimately feel like the right song to perform in English?
Agni: I am so proud to be sharing my Lithuanian culture and language with the world. For years, I had to prove myself to so many people who told me we should only sing in English if we wanted our band to be popular. I think our language brings something unique to our band, and I love how our language sounds in metal music in general. It fits perfectly. Even if you can’t understand the lyrics, you can understand the emotions. I think we will continue to stick to our guns and primarily sing in Lithuanian, and though we experimented with mixing some English into our albums, I don’t see us changing this in the future.
What is the current state of the heavy music scene in Lithuania? Coming from a relatively small country that isn't widely known for exporting heavy music acts, what has the journey been like as Black Spikes has evolved from a local band into a much more global entity? What unique logistical or creative challenges has that presented, and on the other hand, how has growing up in Lithuania and being surrounded by its history, culture, and landscapes shaped the band's sound and identity?
Agni: There’s a myth that it’s logistically hard to tour if your band is based in Lithuania, but it’s simply not true. You can travel wherever you want as long as you have the ambition. However, in Lithuania, there is a very small metal scene with only a few venues that book this type of music and only one festival that caters to it. There are not many opportunities to play metal music in Lithuania, but I think that has inspired us to get out and play in our neighboring countries whenever possible.
Since we're also a fashion publication, I'd love to touch on Black Spikes' visual identity. The band has such a distinct aesthetic both on and offstage. What are some of your biggest inspirations when it comes to fashion and style, and how do you go about putting together looks for music videos, photoshoots, and live performances? More broadly, how do fashion and aesthetics help you express yourself as an artist?
Agni: While we are creating music, we try to stay as mystic and mysterious as possible, but at the same time, we are always open to exploring different kinds of styles and colors. You can see in our music videos that not everything is strictly black and white. We are constantly trying to be as open as possible and not stick to any general rules that come with metal. I would say I take inspiration from everything in the world when it comes to my style.
Lastly, with Ydos just around the corner, what do you hope listeners ultimately take away from this record after hearing it from beginning to end? And beyond the album itself, what should fans be on the lookout for over the coming months in terms of touring, new videos, or anything else you'd like to shout out?
Agni: There will be many more music videos coming, and we are very excited for everyone to hear this new album! We don’t have any tour dates booked this year, but stay tuned for 2027, as we are hoping to come to the United States and also tour Europe!
Ydos, the new album by Black Spikes is out August 28th via Napalm Records!
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