Formed in Lisbon in 2021, YOKOVICH blends industrial, electronic, and metal into a cinematic soundscape. We spoke with the band about their debut album UBIQUITOUS and the vision behind their music.
1. YOKOVICH formed in Lisbon in 2021—what
initially brought you all together, and how did you realize there was creative
chemistry between you?
[MIGUEL] It all started in late 2017 when I started to bring some musical ideas to life. There was no purpose behind that, no objectives of founding a project, finding musicians, nothing. I just wanted to have fun by myself exploring two of my favourite genres/worlds - Industrial/Electronic and Metal. When I had about 8 complete tracks I found out they worked well together as a whole package, surprisingly there was this…identity. That got me intrigued a little more, so I contacted Bruno about my idea and vision, showed him the songs and he loved the music and the sound. The chemistry between us was already there as we worked together in another band in the past, so instantly the process of refining these tracks together was super easy and fun. We then decided it was time to look for a vocalist to really push the songs to the next level, booked some auditions with a few singers and found Jonas who we immediately felt a connection with. He understood our sound and the project’s vision and his lyrics and vocal melodies all made sense for the vision and music we had in mind. Finally, we needed a drummer and found Manu who felt right at home as he himself was looking for something like what we were creating and thus the band was officially born.
2. Industrial and alternative metal can be a unique combination. What drew
you to this particular fusion, and how did you work to make it your own sound
rather than following a template ?
[MIGUEL] I love industrial bands like Depeche Mode, The Prodigy, Nine Inch Nails, and even more Techno/Trance oriented names like DJ Tiesto or Armin Van Buuren, but then my all-time favourite guitar player is Dimebag Darrell (Pantera) and I grew up listening to bands like Metallica and Alice in Chains. YOKOVICH is what happens when a metalhead guitar-driven composer also loves the powerful electronic beats of the industrial genre and adds the beautifully dark harmonies of the synth-rock and Grunge styles to the mix. Honestly, it wasn’t that hard to make our music sound cohesive and somewhat unique because the vision and sound I have in my mind was always very clear and still is. However, it is a challenge to try and stand-out with so many different styles and sub-genres out there nowadays.
3. Your debut album UBIQUITOUS feels both raw and refined. Can you walk us
through the writing and recording process? How long did it take from concept to
completion?
[MIGUEL] The writing began in 2017 with me composing, editing, creating and brainstorming all kinds of ideas into what can ultimately be enjoyed on the album. However, long before that, after the band was officially formed with Bruno, Jonas and Manu in 2022, we worked together with the objective to push all that music to the limit, let everyone express themselves creatively. I wanted to explore the project’s sound to its absolute best and for each member to input their own vision and musical contribution to the project. So, after months of rehearsing and working on all the material together, we finally recorded and released the album in 2024.
4. The album explores themes like isolation, war, and the loss of
individuality. Were there any specific events—personal or global—that sparked
these lyrical directions?
[JONAS] Some of the lyrics were written during the early stages of the COVID pandemic, so themes of isolation and the loss of individuality are very prominent. We can all agree that every song reflects a facet of the overarching "Ubiquitous" theme. This includes topics like war, illusions, expectations, serial killers, and atmospheric incidents. Sometimes, we find ourselves more creative when the circumstances around us are challenging, which is why some of the lyrics were created during that time.
5. Miguel and Bruno are at the core of the band’s songwriting—how do you
collaborate creatively? Do you start with riffs, basslines, or conceptual ideas
first?
[MIGUEL] I composed and wrote all the songs by myself except for the vocals and lyrics, and then showed them to Bruno, who for example, came up with much better bass lines as that’s his world. He also wrote the intros on some of the tracks on the record, and had cool ideas like switching some parts around, to better suit a specific song or build up tension, some breakdowns sections were his idea too. Sometimes we had to change up a verse or chorus to better match with Jonas vocal melodies, or Manu’s drum parts.
6. Jonas delivers intense and captivating vocals on the record. How did you
shape the vocal approach to match the album’s emotional and sonic intensity?
[JONAS] When Miguel sent me the instrumental part, I already had some lyrics, so I began to flow with the music, as you can hear in the track "Burn." That song served as my ticket to join YOKOVICH. I collaborated with Miguel on several songs to understand the instrumental parts and explore the possibilities of metrics and melodies. I also worked with my vocal teacher, Lex Thunder, who helped me achieve the sound you hear on the record.
7. You recently welcomed Samora as your new drummer. How has his addition influenced the band’s rhythm section, chemistry, and maybe even your sound going forward?
[JONAS] Samora is, above all, an exceptional musician with a diverse and extensive background. His musical training and involvement in various professional recording sessions made him the perfect choice to play drums for YOKOVICH, much to the band's delight. His versatility across different genres and participation in international music projects filled a crucial need for the band during a key time—specifically, the release of our album and live performances. In addition to his professionalism, Samora brings a wonderful sense of humor and calmness that inspires us to envision a limitless future. He will undoubtedly play a significant role in the creation of YOKOVICH upcoming album.
8. UBIQUITOUS feels like a very visual and cinematic album. Were there any
films, books, or visual art pieces that inspired the atmosphere or
storytelling?
[MIGUEL] There are indeed some subliminar « easter eggs » spread throughout the tracks, album artwork and even our on-stage aestethics and visual presence. This was merely a personal creative decision as we thought would be kind of fun to have, to give a sense of mystery to the whole thing. It’s hard to spot it, but there’s a connection between various elements. The more perceptive people will be treated to very subtle references to The Crow movie and soundtrack, Resident Evil universe, cyber-punk and goth-inspired books and movies...
9. The name UBIQUITOUS implies something present everywhere. What does the
title mean to you, and how do you see it reflected across the songs?
[BRUNO] The
album (cover of) "Ubiquitous" features a dark, futuristic landscape
that reflects the significant transformations brought about by technology in
the modern world. At the center, a human figure surrounded by flames symbolizes
the intensity of emotions and thoughts. This visual representation illustrates
how AI is omnipresent, amplifying human behavior to extreme and contradictory
levels.
The album
explores these dynamics and the extreme manipulation of the human mind,
highlighting its vulnerabilities through themes such as "Burn,"
"Society Expectations," "Gone with the Frost," and
"Uncontrollable."
It
investigates how digital influence shapes, distorts, and controls human nature,
depicting a range of experiences from happiness to sadness, and unfortunately,
an alarming trend toward increased violence and hatred.
This raises an intriguing question: could AI and the manipulation of thoughts through algorithms be igniting a new kind of revolution—not one led by machines, but by humans influenced by technology everywhere at any time ?
10. How do you approach translating such a layered and atmospheric studio
sound to your live performances? Do you adapt the songs or bring in additional
elements on stage?
[JONAS] We
try to recreate all the atmosphere in live performances, so the audience can
feel the song like it was from the CD or digital platforms. Bruno is our sound
engineer so he’s the right person to answer this question with more
information.
[BRUNO] Our album features layered sensory sound effects that are designed to enhance the audience's experience. To accurately reproduce these specific sound effects, we utilized backing track playback equipment, while all other instruments are performed live. During the recording process, we made sure that everything could be faithfully reproduced as it was recorded in the studio. In addition to the effects that create an intriguing atmosphere during our live performances, we aimed to convey the complementary weight of our sound with a heavy guitar and bass sound. This approach enables us to recreate the experience of our live album with great precision. As a result, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many fans commenting that our live sound is true to the recordings, if not better. So… don’t miss the chance to experience our live concerts! :)
11. The album clearly resonates with a broad spectrum of metal fans. How have audiences reacted so far, and has any feedback particularly stood out to you?
[JONAS] We have received great feedback from the audience so far. They really enjoy the harmonies, the ambiance, and the melody of the vocals. Some audience members also appreciate the more aggressive parts of our performance. We are very grateful to those who approach us at the end of the show to share the feelings they experienced while listening to our songs.
12. Looking ahead, what’s next for YOKOVICH? Are there plans for more music,
videos, collaborations, or touring beyond Portugal in 2025?
[JONAS] We
are continually planning ahead—writing new material, preparing to tour beyond
Portugal, and seeking collaborations with other bands, musicians, and people
from around the world.
[BRUNO] The sky is the limit, and we are filled with
energy and ambition to present our work. We truly believe that “UBIQUTOUS"
appeals to a diverse audience due to its various musical styles and passages.
We are eager to showcase the album in our homeland but also wish to share it
beyond our borders to meet new audiences and build a fan base that shares in
this adventure with us. Who is joining us?
Thank you so much for this interview opportunity, and to all of our supporters, you are the best in the world. Thank you, everyone!
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