Swedish Prog Metallers Loch Vostok released album number three Reveal No Secrets last year to considerable acclaim. Formed back in 2001 by multi-instrumentalist and producer Teddy Moller the band have drawn fans from the prog, metal and death metal communities with their incendiary riffs and are undertaking a huge European tour later this year as support to Therion. SoT's Dean Pedley caught up with Teddy to find out more.

SoT: HI Teddy and thanks for taking some time out to answer a few questions. How are you and the guys in Loch Vostok right now?

Teddy: Excellent, we just changed drummers though, Alvaro quit, he was tired of this kinda music and is quite successful with his new band "Lou Siffer & The Howling Demons" It's punky, heavy rock'n'roll and kicks ass! Our new drummer is Thomas Ohlsson, he has played with many bands, The Project Hate, Axenstar, Cellout, to name a few, and has written songs for Michael Kiske, Sinner, Saint Daemon, he is a great songwriter and a killer drummer.

SoT: Back in 2009 you released your third album "Reveal No Secrets" – were you pleased with the end result and how would you say that the band's sound has evolved over your three albums so far?

Teddy: It's a solid release, great songs and cool production, and we're evolving, devolving, progressing and regressing all the time. We never set any style…whatever comes to mind and sounds good we'll use. The musicianship has gotten better of course and we are still shredding!

SoT: The album is described in your press release as Melodic Death Metal but you have received strong reviews from Prog Metal enthusiasts, what would you say to someone thinking of checking you out for the first time?

Teddy: The music is progressive metal, with an emphasis on METAL. It has the sound and attitude of melodeath I guess, but we do not sound like Vanden Plas, and we do not sound like Children Of Bodom, we're basically just a King Diamond clone without makeup.

SoT: I notice Kind Diamond mentioned in the credits- has he been a real inspiration to you and which other bands or artists do you admire?

Teddy: King Diamond is #1, all the rest starts at 20 or something. We dig Devin, Katatonia, Slayer, Venom, Deicide, Dream Theater, Emperor, Winger, Dark Funeral, Nevermore, Freak Kitchen, Exodus, Violator, Scarve, Thin Lizzy, The Cure, Sodom…whatever.

SoT: You are of course from Sweden – why do you think so many great and innovative Metal bands have come from your country over the past ten years or so?

Teddy: Because we rule. (laughs)

SoT: For 10 years you were a drummer with Prog Metal band Mayadome – how and why did you decide to make the switch to frontman on both vocals and guitars?

Teddy: Basically because singers and guitar players are assholes and I was tired of sitting in the back. I'm an attention freak…this is all about me me me me me!

SoT: I know you had some bad luck when your tour had to be cancelled – tell us about this unfortunate event...

Teddy: The clutch broke down, and to get one we had to wait one week. So we cancelled, that's it really. All the guys in the band lost money, but I lost tons of it, about $12000!!!

SoT: Are you involved with any other projects apart from Loch Vostok?

Teddy: Oh yeah, too many as usual. Besides Loch Vostok I play drums for F.K.Ü., an old school thrash metal band, I've played with them since '99 and we rule. Check out moshoholics.com. I also play drums with Anima Morte, Italian style zombie prog a la Goblin. I play bass with Wuthering Heights too…

SoT: What would real success look like for the band – for example would you like to be able to play a full European tour (including the UK of course) someday?

Teddy: We're on our way, in October. More details to follow.

SoT: And finally was there anything else you wanted to add?

Teddy: Tomahawk: 3cl Vodka, 3cl Peach Tree, 1cl Campari, in a highball glass, fill up with 7up or Sprite! Yummy!

Dean Pedley

Update: Drummer Thomas Ohlsson has since been replaced by Lawrence Dinamarca (Astral Carneval) simply because Ohlsson's working schedule did not allow extensive touring. Lawrence Dinamarca is a very technical, groovy drummer and has been rehearsing with Loch Vostok since February.