1.Hello Luix please introduce yourself to the readers?
Hello, my real name is Kristjan Luiga, Luix is my artist name. I live in Tallinn, Estonia. My occupation is graphic designer/tattoo artist, been doing this already for 30 years.
2.At what age did you first discover thrash and death metal?What is it about these musicial genres that drew you in?
Got into rock/metal in year 1987, first bands I listened were heavy metal bands like Accept, Manowar, W.A.S.P. Then I moved to thrash metal listening Metallica, Sepultura and Slayer. What drew me to death metal was Obituary „Cause of Death” album, after it came bands like Death, Cannibal Corpse, Gorefest etc. I guess, it was mostily about vocals, what binded me to death metal genre.
3.Who were the first bands and artists that you discovered? Who are some of the current bands that you have been listening to?
Like I already said, 1987 was the year my musical journey started. First artist I listened to were Whitesnake and Gary Moore, if I’m right.
4.When did you first meet the other members of the band and was it long before you started Surrogoat?
Back then I was studying in Tartu University, became friends with so many new people. There were quite many metal music enthusiasts among them, too. Surrogoat was founded in 1999, so we became friends about three years prior (bassist Lauri and drummer Rauno). Short story about the birth of Surrogoat. Some friends were offered to use an old house in place called Kruusaauk (Tartu suburb), it became a venue soon. From 1999-2001 many nice gigs were held there, unfortunately it was demolished in 2002. It was the place where Surrogoat made rehearsals till it was possible, after that we moved to Võru (town 70km southeast of Tartu).
5.Who would you say are the bands biggest influences and have they remained the same over the years?For the readers who have never heard the band how would you best describe the bands music?
Different members have their own influences. From my side I can say Gorefest and Bolt Thrower are the bands, that have made bigger impact on me. My brother, who plays guitar, I know he is a big fan of Vogg from Decapitated, fror example. Our style is old school death metal, but you can hear some modern groovy notes in there. So we are experimenting, but overall our style has been set. It has been a long way coming – some know that we started as a black metal band. But we have no recordings from this time. Those three releases we have (demo, EP and full-lenght) are pure death/thrash metal.
6.Consumed By The Wrath Of Time is the bands debut that was released digitally.How long did it take the band to write the music for the debut?Does the whole band take part in the writing process or does one member usually write everything?
Yes, it is a debut full-lenght album wise, but we have already demo and EP from the old days, before we went to hiatus in 2006. But new album is more matured and we are quite pleased it came out (cheers to Are Kangus from Sügis Productions). Surrogoat was reborn in August 2023, that’s when we started to write new songs too. Process is quite simple, my brother writes guitar parts for whole song, after that I start to work on lyrics and after that bass and drums join in. As we don’t live in the same city, we swap files on internet, so everybody can listen and give ideas.
7.Luix you handle the vocals so i assume you write the lyrics for the music?What are some subjects you wrote about on the debut? Which usually comes first the music or the lyrics?
You’re right, all lyrics have been written by me. But I hope some day other members join in too:) Subjects do vary, there are concerns about world problems like corruption, wars, pandemic. But also some hellish themes, dating back to when we made some evil black metal:) Regarding song buildup - first come guitar riffs and then lyrics, usually.
8.I believe Consumed By The Wrath Of Time is a digital only release would the band like to find a label to do a physical release soon or do you prefer to self release your own music?
Yes, so far it is out only digitally. But we’re planning to self-release it physically too, at least in CD format. Label would be cool, but that requires lots of work. But you’ll never know, maybe miracle happens.
9.Has Surrogoat had the opportunity to perform very many live shows yet? If yes what have been some of the most memorable shows to date? Who are some bands you all have shared the stage with over the years?
Can’t say that we perform too much, for example this year there have been 6 shows in Estonia, Latvia and Finland so far. We like open air shows a lot, but we have not much metal festivals here in Estonia. Last year we had oppurtunity to play Hard Rock Laager Open Air festival in Vana-Vigala. That was quite memorable performance, with around 500 people in the crowd. Some well-known acts we’ve played together include Behemoth, Paradise Lost, Vltimas, Dead Shape Figure (Fin), Putrid Defecation (Fin), The Rumours (USA).
10.Are there any shows or tours planned in support of the debut full length? If yes where will the band be performing?
Not yet, but when we have album physcally out, we will do that. Probably a little Estonian tour for the beginning. We have good friends in Finland, so maybe we can arrange something there too.
11. Surrogoat comes out of Estonia's death and thrash metal scene what is your opinion of the Metal scene in Estonia?
Estonian metal scene is quite busy, many gigs happening. But problem is, that we have not too many venues. Hope that it will change soon. We have quite many young bands in the scene, who want to show themselves.
12.Who are your all-time favorite bands coming out of Estonia? Are their any new bands you could tell the readers about?
Being from the older generation, quite many of my favourites have finished their existence – Horricane, Aggressor, Rattler, Catafalc to name a few. But we have some active young death metal bands, most well-known is Intrepid, who has toured Europe many times. Also I can suggest Humanity, Nihilistikrypt , Swarn, Gangrenated, Aš-šur for checking out.
13.Besides working in Surrogoat do any of the members currently work with other bands or solo projects? If yes please tell the readers a little about them?
Yes, other members besides me (Surrogoat has been my only band) have had other projects. Any of them are no longer active though. Bassist Jaanus played in thrash metal band Morigan and Turbonegro cover band Perse, rästiK together with drummer Rauno, he also made black metal act Org together with guitarist Mihkel and has also played in Helena Nova and Realm of Carnivora.
14.When you need to take a break from working on new music or band business what do you like to do in your free time?
Being a family man, there’s always something interesting to do. In summer I like to swim and ride a bicycle. And listening to new music and visiting gigs, of course, always:)
15.Thank you Luix for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final words for the readers?
Big thanks to you too! For discovering us and making great review/interview! I tell everybody to keep looking for the new music and also support your local scene as hard as you can! Surrogoat https://surrogoat.bandcamp.com/album/consumed-by-the-wrath-of-time-2 https://www.facebook.com/surrogoat/# https://www.youtube.com/@surrogoat
