The End of Melancholy is female fronted alternative | gothic metal band, founded in 2014. The band have a new point of view on a modern gothic scene, combine in music powerful metal riffs with lyrical ballads.

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Olly: My name is Olly Lex and Im the singer and lyricist, Andrew Petroff is the composer and guitarist, Eugene Psychedelic is the drummer and Roman Laine plays bass.

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to The End of Melancholy? How long has the band been around?

Olly: Well, my first band was started in 2007 and we had a lot of performances and experience with all the band stuff. I was learning to perform, to sing. To control the band and etc. And we were playing with Eugene on drums there. And this crazy party was in Siberia. So then, Im tired of cold and moved to Saint-Petersburg to get some dark, and it worked great I guess. In 2014, I met Andrew and that time he tried to make a dark-folk music project. He suggested me to sing in experimental way for the song “Pentagram” with Alister Crowley lyrics. So I always open to create something interesting and magical. When i’ve heard his other music, I was really impressed, cause there was such a special magical atmosphere, even some meditative depths.

And me as a fan of such moods, suggested him to mix it with my metal, gothic and even grunge style of singing. That time I was still singing in math-metal band (we’re all moved to Saint-P) but the band failed that time. It happened sometimes, when you realize what you really wanted to do. and I took a decision to close the project and start “The End of Melancholy” with Andrew. So, here we go.

What's the origin of that name and have you changed the band's name before?

Olly: No, we didn’t change it. Before «TEOM» even met each other, this name came to me and it was like a sign. I immediately realized that this is the best name for my band! Cause it resonates with me very well. The end of Melancholy its like the ending of something and at the same time its the beginning of something new... I feel it like in this way.

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

Olly: All music and production is created by Andrew Petroff. Im writing all the lyrics. Its very important for me. Well, its hard to say what will inspire me in the future, but if we’re talking about present, Im interested at the psychology most of all, relationships between people as friends, lovers, competitors. All this socially nature. Im reflecting in my lyrics about the creation of this world, genesis and so on.

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you're making?

Andrew: As I always say, my music reflects, what I want to listen to myself, but could never find. It's my own style, but anyway I really like Type o Negative, Lacuna Coil and many other bands.

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

Olly: As for me, all the things started when Ive heard «Nirvana» and then «Hole», «Marilyn Manson» and «NIN». These bands had a huge impact on me. Even For now they are my one and only bands. And when I tried to sing for the first time I caught the euphoria and I ve understood that this is all I want to do in my life. To be a singer in a band.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect.

Olly: we’re practising a lot. I mean like really a LOT! But at the day of a show we just do all the necessary stuff for the stage and that’s enough. All you can really do with the voice or for the good playing, its hard and long work before.

What has been the biggest highlight of the band's career so far?

Olly; Well, we got great European tours this year, for the unsigned Russian band its not very easy but we’re working hard. But for sure the main show of this year was our show as an open band for Motionless in White when they arrived In Russia for the first time. And its crazy happy and unbelievable moment for us. Cause we got fans in USA, and one of them, his name Hugh, went to MIW’s show and gave our CD to the vocalist Chris Motionless and said that in Saint-Petersburg there is a band TEOM and they must to support their show there. And when he told me about that I was happy for such great support of a fan from ultimately from the other world but I didn’t believe that Chris will listen to us and pick us for that. But... it happened! We were preparing for this show as hard as we can, it was such a great opportunity for us but the main is we love MIW cause I think we have something similar with them, atmosphere or the spirit. And I nervous a lot but I was happy at the same time to share the stage with them. And all the things went very good for us, I mean like everything was great. We’re so thankful for this happy event.

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

Olly; Definitely with « Motionless in White! We got a great feedback after our show and got many new fans. So I think its obvious thing. Also, I would like to tour with The Lord of the Lost, I adore their last album. Its a masterpiece for sure.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Olly: I wish that this crazy journey we have with our fans will never end. I wish to come to other countries with the shows sooner.