Tattoo Talk: Lord of the Lost Guitarist Pi Stoffers on Fave Ink, Pain & Stencils

Darkness is a frequent theme in harder rock music, but it’s not typically fleshed out in as detailed of a manner as Lord of the Lost does on their new album. The Hamburg, Germany band is set to release their new album, OPVS Noir Vol. 1, on August 8th via Napalm Records.

As singer and guitarist Chris Harms recently explained, Darkness is not being employed on this record as negatively as you might expect. It typically represents melancholy, loneliness, and sorrow, but not necessarily in this instance. Darkness can also represent security, melancholy can also represent the sentimental feeling of our memories, and loneliness can be a forum for peace and reflection. OPVS Noir Vol. 1 is meant to be a guide through the dark parts of our minds. It’s within these parts that we often categorize our emotions between positive and negative. It can act as a space for self-improvement rather than just distress.

And as far as the investigative element of the record, this is just the beginning. OPVS Noir Vol. 1 is the first in a trilogy of albums planned by Lord of the Lost. They are using this trilogy of records as an opportunity to flesh out these thought-provoking, elaborate themes. The band has taken their musicianship to a whole new level, redefining who they are and what they represent in the year 2025. Led by Harms as the primary songwriter and the album producer, the eleven tracks on OPVS Noir Vol. 1 are intense, forceful, and masterfully recorded.

With the album soon arriving, we are joined today by Lord of the Lost guitarist Pi Stoffers for Tattoo Talk. We get the lowdown on his tattoos, how he got started, his advice to aspiring tattoo artists, and more.

How did you get started?

Pi Stoffers: “I had my first experiences or touching points with the tattoo industry when I got tattooed myself for the first time in 2018 (I think?). But getting myself involved with everything wasn’t up on my radar back then, even though I was instantly fascinated by not only getting tattooed but by the history of tattooing, the art form itself, different artists, etc., etc.

“I got into working in the industry through my wife, Jessica Svartvit. We met when she started a sleeve project on my right arm, and without going into too many details, fast forward a bit, I took on the role of assisting her with everything in her old shop, which sadly got flooded in 2023. But as with every closing door, a new one opens, and we opened our new studio, The Svarthaus, where she tattoos and I manage it all (I am not a tattoo artist myself).

“A wonderful thing that I can do from everywhere in the world, when I am on tour. It is funny to me, because I gained all my business experience from being in a band, dealing with issues, learning how the finances of a company work, how dealing and negotiations work, how you organize schedules and timings for tours and also how you handle people in an empathetic and welcoming way. Thanks to my wife being quite accomplished as an artist, I can learn so much more from her about the tattoo industry.”

Lord of the Lost // Pi Stoffers tattoo

What was the first tattoo you ever got?

“The first tattoo that I’ve ever gotten is the one on my right thigh. It is half a peach surrounded by some geometric lines.”

What style of tattoo do you feel closest to? What drew you to it?

“Well, the style I feel closest to is the one of my wife. I am not saying that because she is my wife, but because when I saw it years ago, it made me go, ‘Why don’t I have that?’ It’s a style comprised of many influences. You see blackwork in it, ornamental, traditional Irezumi, geometrical and floral stuff. We came up with the name ‘NeoFlow’ for it. You make of that what you want. I think what drew me to it is that I consider it completely timeless, as opposed to other styles. It is made to last, using bold lines and great detail alike while focusing on the flow of your own body.”

What’s the most painful piece you’ve ever received?

“Not a surprising answer, probably. My ribs. The front of my upper body is completely covered, and it wasn’t a walk in the park, but the ribs were a league of their own. So was the area around my neck and collarbones.”

What advice do you have for anyone looking to tattoo or get tattooed?

“If you want to tattoo, I can only guess that it is probably a good idea to find someone who takes you under their wing and teaches you. Nowadays, basically anyone can order a tattoo machine from the internet and start tattooing at home with stolen designs from Pinterest, and while I am all for practicing as much as you possibly can, which you should, I think the best idea is to still learn where it all came from, why things are done a certain way. Learn proper hygiene as it is mandatory, draw as much as you can, and always try new stuff.

“As far as getting tattooed goes, I think there is no shame in getting something spontaneously and not putting too much thought into it, as long as you can stand by it forever (or as long as it can be covered). In general, and this is what I got to learn, it is the question ‘Why don’t I have it?’ which I stated earlier already. If that is the case for me for weeks or months on end, I know I am sure.

“Also, make sure to not skimp on taking time to find the right artist, maybe saving more money, as tattoos are made to last, they’re something special, they’re art pieces that are definitely worth spending a little more, if you can. You will be happier in the long run, I promise.”

Lord of the Lost ‘OPVS Noir Vol. 1’ album artwork

Any shops or artists you want to give a shout out?

“Sure! From the top of my head: Jessica Svartvit (The Svarthaus), Simone Klimmeck (Chrom 6), Samuele Briganti (Bold Will Hold), Moni Scharnagl, Lorena Morato (Golden Times Atelier), Laura Hochmond (Atelier Hochmond), Seb Fury One (Downtown Tattoo), Pino Cafaro (White Fox Gallery).”

Do any of your tattoos have a particularly special meaning behind them? If so, do share, man!

“Yes. The peach on my thigh is for the nickname that my sister has given me. And the poppy flowers that are incorporated into my right arm sleeve are the favourite flowers of my mom. I have two band tattoos for my band (neck and left wrist). Everything else is just art!”

When do you get work done? Is it something planned and more regimented, or whenever the mood strikes?

“It is planned and regimented. The work I get done covers a lot of area on the body, large pieces that eventually will result in a full contextual bodysuit. Not really possible to be spontaneous with that, other than some freehand fillers here and there. I do have the unfair advantage, however, that I have the closest relationship to my tattoo artist possible, which saves some time (laughs).”

Do you feel more people these days are seeking custom, unique, created art compared to using, say, flash art from books and web/social media?

“When I just look at the bubble that I am in, I would definitely say that the majority of the people are looking to get custom work done, as opposed to following the next social media trend. When I look at conventions like the Gods Of Ink or Mondial Du Tatouage and how big they are, there is some certainty in the assumption that unique designs are in high demand, and I sure would hope so.

“With tattoos being way more accepted and normal in today’s society and the saturation of tattooed people going up, the wish for individuality is triggered more and more, I guess. But it also comes down to what you are searching for or what you like. There is no shame in finding something nice for yourself on social media, a flash design, maybe, and getting it. Just make sure that it is not copied from another artist.”

Getting a tattoo is a deeply personal experience; do you feel people choose a tattoo artist in the same way they choose the actual tattoo design?

“Let’s say it like that: it should be a deeply personal experience, where client and artist can completely be themselves, based on trust and respect for each other. I think there is some correlation between choosing the artist and the design. Say, you are just looking to get a random memory tattoo for your whatever vacation, you will probably just choose a tattoo studio that is trustworthy and go for a nice flash design. Pretty simple, low barrier to entry, and that is absolutely fine.

“With a lot of people that come to our studio, however, it is a way more personal, carefully chosen experience. The people at our shop are getting large pieces, talking arm sleeve sizing upwards up until full bodysuits, meaning you spend months and years with these people. So obviously there is way more care, personal stories and getting to know each other involved, and that is also what the people are coming for, the overall experience, not just the tattoo. And it is of utmost importance that every tattoo experience should be the best one possible, as your clients will look at it every day. So make sure to give them what they deserve.”

Lord of the Lost // Pi Stoffers tattoo

Lord of the Lost // Pi Stoffers tattoo

Tattoo pain: love it, hate it, indifferent to it? Or maybe pain is all mental?

“I hate it. Why would I love pain? It is just not really avoidable, and part of it is just an acceptance thing where a strong mindset can help you pull through. If it gets unbearable, communicate it and also, when you are the artist, don’t force your client to pull through when they can’t anymore. Yes, the pain will always be there by nature, but it can be minimized and controlled.”

What is your absolute favourite part of getting fresh ink?

“When the stencil or the drawing comes on and you can already get an idea of how your body is going to change. I am always amazed by how fast your brain processes it and accepts the tattoo as a part of your body, as if it has always been there. Looking back at old photos, then is always a bit crazy. And I like when the healing is done.”