Intervju: Daniel Salmador Hernandez, (Keltika Hispanna, Spain)

Daniel Salmador Hernandez, (Keltika Hispanna, Spain) 

Dark folk live in ancient Celtiberia. The music scene there is very strong and quite high quality. These days we talked to Daniel from the band Keltika Hispanna about future plans and music in general..

                                                                   

                                                               Official facebook page

1. Why the name Keltika Hispanna?  When and how was came that idea?

Daniel: Hello Predrag, first of all, thank you very much for giving us the opportunity to do this interview in ... The name of Keltika Hispanna, could be translated from Greco-Latin to Spanish, like the Céltica Hispana. This being the territory of the Iberian Peninsula populated by peoples of Celtic roots. With this we want to vindicate not only the Celtic heritage of our history, language and traditions, but also make it known beyond the Pyrenees that our beloved Mother Iberia, specifically the Southwest of the peninsula, was according to the latest hypotheses, the place where the first peoples known as Keltoi (Celtic) originated, specifically the people of the Celticci, the Celts. Although Celticism was installed throughout the length and breadth of the Iberian Peninsula and continues to endure in what we call, the shady places, of our beloved "bull's skin".

2. Keltika Hispanna  music genre as  Dark /Neo Folk, Celtiberian, inspired by the mountains of Sierra de Guadarrama and history. What is the impact of that?

Daniel: Well, unfortunately we are in Spain, in our country, after a tremendous civil war, as you know, the country was ruined and at the end of the Franco regime an advertising campaign began abroad that offered our beaches, good weather, paella, bulls and Sevillian dancers. Something that is very far from folklore, and from the reality of our ethnic group. Something real and authentic that is so different in each piece of land of our Mother Iberia. That is probably one of the reasons for the ignorance, rejection and little impact of folklore and its variants in our country. Although we have decided to make this change from now on. We will work hard in all areas that are possible for us. Our land is a much more varied place, with an infinite number of climates, cultures and landscapes. If you want cold you will have it, if you want a scorching desert we can also offer it to you, mountains of perpetual snow? It's hard to imagine something that doesn't exist here. In a local way, or even far from our land, it may be possible that our work has encouraged people to learn more about their ethnic group, their legends and traditions, and feel, perhaps, proud of their blood and their land without any kind of damages. Something very healthy.

3. Keltika Hispanna is?

Daniel: Keltika Hispanna was a need to materialize in music a feeling of belonging to the land, and everything that has transcended time from our origins to today. It is true that I, Daniel Salmador, started with this, and that in a way I am the one at the helm who is in charge of guiding and redirecting this project when it moves away from the alma mater, but none of this would have been possible without the colleagues who have been giving their brushstrokes and touch-ups. Contributing his wisdom and virtues to this humble project. Nothing would be possible without the entire team behind Keltika Hispanna, they are: Luís Miguel Folgado, Iñaki Simón, Andrés Barriga and Oscar Martín. What have been the components that have completed the formation of Keltika Hispanna in recent years.

4. Last album " Legends of the Sierra de Guadarrama " was well received by the audience, which was to be expected. How are you satisfied with him?

Daniel: Yes, Leyendas de la Sierra de Guadarrama has been a tough job, it took us almost three years to complete the album. Not only the fact of compiling the legends studied by various folklorists, but also the work of constructing the lyrics of our songs, incorporating our own worldview and philosophy into the lyrics. Then the fact of creating those soundscapes that evoke the places where these ancient founding myths occurred. As well as a functional and aesthetically appropriate artwork, where one could read the original legend as well as our lyrical and musical adaptation. Of course we are very happy with the result, not only for our work as a band, but for the quality of the sound, thanks to the mastering carried out by Kadath Sound, and the brand new special edition that the Darkwoods record label gave us. Trusting us and editing the work in the best way it could be done. We are very proud of the work achieved by all those who have made it possible for this to come to light. So answering your question, yes! We are very happy with the final result and with the welcome from our followers.

5. You often collaborate with other artists (Arnica, Urze de Lume, Azagatel, etc). What are your experiences of these cooperations? Will You continue to explore music with other musicians and artists that you'll be sharing the listeners?

Daniel: Yes! True, on several occasions we have collaborated with other bands, on a musical level especially with Arnica's brothers, but professionally the world of Iberian folk is very united, and with a lot of desire to take this forward, so we usually have very good relationship between us, both with the Spanish bands and the Portuguese, since we both carry within us the spirit of our Mother Iberia. Events such as Oestrymnis in Portugal and Raíz Ibérica in Spain, we have collaborated mutually to carry out events and shows in common. In the end our goals are the same. I think collaborations and cameos are important in the music scene, in the end, we created a great family, a tribe, and that is very important for the survival of the Iberian neofolk scene. We will continue participating in them and proposing other like-minded bands to join our circle. 

6. What is the music for you ? In which way music defines  you?

Daniel: For me music is one of the most transcendental ways of artistic and emotional expression of the human being. It is intrinsic to our existence and has been with us for millions of years. Sound is vibration, and vibration is existence. Music can serve us both to give us strength in a moment of vulnerability or to plunge into different sound paradises, even as a key to enter other dimensions, in the memories that we thought were forgotten or in those lost paradises of our longed for past. I do not believe that there is a person on this old planet, who has not made use of the magic of music at some point in its existence. In my case, and at this moment, I am not speaking to you as a music listener and collector, but as a musical composer. I think that if I had not been able to convey all those concerns through music, I think it would have been difficult to overcome many unpleasant moments in my own life. For me music, both through Keltika Hispanna, La Sombra del Tejo or other projects I'm working on, I think they are a harmonious reflection of our own experiences. An escape route from our existential struggles and dilemmas, from the empirical learning, sometimes cruel, that life gives us. And I sincerely believe that sometimes listening to a good album, an old song, or even singing it, is a real therapy, to transcend, and overcome all those difficulties. A sad song does not have to serve to get depressed, on the contrary, if you understand its magic, it can help us to focus on frustration and to overcome it. Sharing our feelings, in this case, through music, makes us certainly stronger, to concentrate better and to be less vulnerable to fatality.

7. Plans for future?

Daniel: A lots of. We have many plans, definitely, what you have to do is carry them out. At first we are working on a new EP by Keltika Hispanna, probably titled: "Nava" and a possible LP later, perhaps titled: Lupus Regina, or Reina Loba in Spanish. We have good material that we want to bring to light. So we will get to work and soon you will be able to hear news from Keltika Hispanna.

8. A concert in Serbia, perhaps?

Daniel: I hope my friend, it would be an honor, and an unforgettable experience.

9. And in the end what will you tell readers in Serbia?

Daniel: Well I tell you to follow Celtic-Slavic Webzine Serbia, and do not miss an article of this fabulous work. I wanted to personally thank you, Predrag, for giving us this opportunity on your webzine and for your kindness in counting on us. I am sending you the works of Keltika Hispanna, so that you can have them at hand, and I hope you like them. A big greeting to all the readers of Serbia, we hope that one day Keltika Hispanna can visit those untamed lands of the Balkans. Thank you very much again, and a big boar hug from Iberia! 

Made by Predrag G.

Intervju: Yhandros Huergo, (Cuélebre, Spain)

 Yhandros Huergo, (Cuélebre, Spain) 

Pagan folk live in ancient Iberia. He is personified in the band Cuélebre, which preserves its cultural heritage. We talked to these days with Yhandros, about the band’s future plans...

Official facebook page

1. Hello Yhandros, our collaboration started back in 2015, when we did our first interview and review of the Oinos album. What has changed in the band so far?

Yhandros: Hello Predrag, the truth is that many things have changed in the band since then, "Oinos" was the band's first album, we have had many shows and that entails many changes in the line-up due to many factors, personal problems and different visions. of the project. Fortunately we have been with a stable training for more than two years and in which we all look towards the same goal, making music and enjoying the good times.

Hola Predrag, la verdad es que muchas cosas han cambiado en la banda desde entonces, "Oinos" fue el primer disco de la banda, hemos tenido muchos shows y eso conlleva muchos cambios en la formación debido a muchos factores, problemas personales y diferentes visiones del proyecto. Afortunadamente llevamos más de dos años con una formación estable y en la que todos miramos hacia un mismo objetivo, hacer música y disfrutar de los buenos momentos.

2. Last album "Dijara " was well received by the audience, which was to be expected. How are you satisfied with him?

Yhandros: I'm very happy with "Dijara", Not only for the reception of the audience, which has been great, but also because of the involvement of all the members of the band when it comes to contributing their talent to make the best album possible. On a personal level, I think that stopping doing shows to focus only on the album was something that helped a lot for the result to be very good both in sound and in compositions.

Estoy muy contento con "Dijara", no solo por la acogida del público, que ha sido genial, sino también por la implicación de todos los integrantes de la banda a la hora de aportar su talento para hacer el mejor disco posible. A nivel personal creo que dejar de hacer shows para centrarme solo en el disco fue algo que ayudó mucho a que el resultado fuera muy bueno tanto en sonido como en composiciones.

3. You often collaborate with other artists (Arnica, Urze de Lume, Drusuna, Trobar de Morte, Mileth, etc). What are your experiences of these cooperations? Will You continue to explore music with other musicians and artists that you'll be sharing the listeners?

Yhandros: Many of these collaborations are reduced simply to sharing the stage with some of them in very specific moments. It's always good to listen to and learn from other musicians, and if it's live, even better! On our last album we have had the honor of doing a song with Neonymus and it has been a great experience. With Drusuna we have not yet had the luck to coincide, but I hope it happens soon. And I think we can convince Mileth of a collaboration on some song. On the other hand, and due to the covid crisis, some musicians from different bands that usually perform at Castlefest have been collaborating on some songs, but I don't know when we will be able to hear those songs.

Muchas de estas colaboraciones se reducen simplemente a compartir escenario con algunos de ellos en momentos muy concretos. Siempre es bueno escuchar y aprender de otros músicos, y si es en vivo, ¡incluso mejor! En nuestro último disco hemos tenido el honor de hacer una canción con Neonymus y ha sido una gran experiencia. Con Drusuna todavía no hemos tenido la suerte de coincidir, pero espero que suceda pronto. Y creo que podemos convencer a Mileth de una colaboración en alguna canción. Por otro lado, y debido a la crisis del covid, algunos músicos de diferentes bandas que suelen actuar en Castlefest han estado colaborando en algunas canciones, pero no sé cuándo podremos escuchar esas canciones.

4. In the meantime, you also performed at a prestigious festival, Castefest. What experiences do you bring from those guest appearances?

Yhandros: Great experiencies, it's amazing the atmosphere that you feel in the festival is incredible, from the organization to the audience, the rest of the bands, friends ... it is difficult to explain everything in words.

Grandes experiencias, el ambiente que se respira durante todo el festival es increíble, desde la organización hasta el público, el resto de bandas, amigos ... es difícil explicar todo con palabras.

5. What is the music for you ? In which way music defines  you?

Yhandros: I started playing instruments at 8 years old, at 9 I gave my first concert, except for some time that I have focused more on other things, I have always had music in mind and heart. And it defines me in the fact that a large part of my daily time is dedicated to music, either playing or listening to other bands. I don't like to analyze the music of others, only if they make me feel something inside me or not. When I compose it's the same, I need the song to catch me, I don't care if it's more or less complex.

Empecé a tocar instrumentos a los 8 años, a los 9 di mi primer concierto, salvo alguna vez que me he centrado más en otras cosas, siempre he tenido la música en mente y corazón. Y me define en el hecho de que gran parte de mi tiempo diario lo dedico a la música, ya sea tocando o escuchando otras bandas. No me gusta analizar la música de los demás, solo si me hacen sentir algo dentro de mí o no. Cuando compongo es lo mismo, necesito que la canción me atrape, no me importa si es más o menos compleja.

6. Plans for future?

Yhandros: With the covid crisis, many festivals and dates that we had to present "Dijara" have fallen. If all goes well in November we will be in Netherlands accompanying Nytt Land and Cesair and we will probably take advantage of the trip to give another show in another country (from Spain to Netherlands it is approximately 1600 km of road, we can think about what to do on the way). Given the lack of shows, I have continued to compose some more songs, I don't know if they will all end on a Cuelebre album or if some will be the seed for another project.

Con la crisis del covid han caído muchos festivales y fechas que teníamos para presentar "Dijara". Si todo va bien en noviembre estaremos en Holanda acompañando a Nytt Land y Cesair y probablemente aprovecharemos el viaje para dar otro espectáculo en otro país (de España a Holanda son aproximadamente 1600 km de carretera, podemos pensar en qué hacer en el camino). Ante la falta de shows he seguido componiendo algunas canciones más, no sé si terminarán todas en un disco de Cuelebre o si alguna será semilla para otro proyecto.

7. A concert in Serbia, perhaps?

Yhandros: Hopefully I love the road, playing music and meeting new places and people, so I think all the ingredients are ready, you just need a little luck and the time is right.

Con suerte, me encanta la carretera, tocar música y conocer nuevos lugares y personas, así que creo que todos los ingredientes están listos, solo necesitas un poco de suerte y es el momento adecuado.

8. And in the end what will you tell readers in Serbia?

Yhandros: First of all, thank you very much for reading the entire interview. I love reading about the mythology of all places, Serbia has fascinating stories, Kraljević Marko and Miloš Obilić are truly epic figures, Dragan Bibin's paintings are dark and magnificent. You really have a fascinating story, take care of it, because knowing about the past allows us not to repeat mistakes in the future.

Primero de todo, si has leido hasta aqui, muchas gracias. Me encanta leer sobre la mitología de todos los lugares, Serbia tiene historias fascinantes, Kraljević Marko y Miloš Obilić son figuras realmente epicas, las pinturas de Dragan Bibin son oscuras y magnificas. Realmente teneís una historia fascinante, cuidarla, porque saber del pasado nos permite no repetir errores en el futuro.

Made by: Predrag G.

Intervju: Volkh, (Strahor, Serbia)

  Volkh, (Strahor, Serbia)

Underground scena Srbije je šarolika i itekako jaka. Pozitivnih stvari, projekata, izvođača ima u njoj. Tu izdvajamo i sada već, ne mladi, projekat Strahor. Ovih dana smo ragovarali sa Volkh-om, umetnikom koji stoji iza imena gore pomenutog projekta..

Oficijalna fejsbuk stranica

1. Zašto ime Strahor?  Kada je uopšte rođena ta ideja?

Volkh: Moram priznati da je ime došlo skroz spontano. Kad su neki od prvih materijala bili snimljeni razmatrao sam mnogo imena ali ili su već bila zauzeta ili jednostavno nisu odgovarala duhu koji sam planirao da muzika koju stvaram nosi.  S obzirom da sam u isto vreme počeo intenzivnije da proučavam staroslovensku mitologiju i misticizam zavirio sam u taj nepresušni bunar ideja i inspiracija i tu me je sačekalo to ime. Ideja je rođena negde 2016. godine ali krenula da se ostvaruje tek krajem 2017. Želja za bilo kakvim kanalisanjem kreativnosti koja se sve više nagomilava u meni odlučio sam da oblikujem u muziku koja je meni najmilija, blek metal.

2. Svoj muzički pravac definišeš kao black metal sa primesama pagan zaostavštine, ako tako mogu da se izrazim. Šta je uticalo na to? 

Volkh: U suštini to je tačno i tako je bilo bar do sada. U trenutku mi je to delovalo kao najzanimljivije polje za istraživanje i sastavljanje tekstova i muzike u tom „paganskom maniru“. Jednostavno se osećam bliskim sa tim stvarima. Trenutno mislim da se ipak što se tiče muzike i tekstova sve više nekako udaljavam od te tematike,  mada će taj duh svakako biti prisutan do kraja, u manje ili više izmenjenoj formi. Ne želim da se ograničavam u bilo kom smislu, i lirički i muzički, jer je ipak sloboda najdragocenija stvar koju jedan stvaralac može da poseduje.

3. Strahor je?

Volkh: Strahor je beli vuk, gospodar šume i mitski predak našeg naroda. On predstavlja jedno od najiskonskijih božanskih figura koje naš narod pamti, a koje je nažalost ostalo prepušteno zaboravu. Za mene je on iskonska sila i energija, ono arhaično i mistko što leži u nama i budi se na pomen njegovog imena.

4. Poslednji album „Koledo“, izašao je pod etiketom Librarion Records-a iz Srbije, Barbatos Productions iz Rusije, Zly Demiurg iz Poljske, Alexa Records iz Meksika. Reklo bise da si pokrio sve četiri strane sveta? Kako si ti zadovoljan saradnjom sa izdavačkim kućama i samim albumom uopšte?

Volkh: Tako je, četiri izdavačke kuće koje su fenomenalno odradile posao i izuzetno sam zadovoljan saradnjom sa svima. Način izdavanja je u skladu sa samim albumom uradjen u maksimalno underground maniru, jer to je i bila ideja od početka po pitanju konkretno ovog albuma.

Sa samim albumom sam zadovoljan, ali ne nešto previše. Nema tu ničeg revolucionarnog i originalnog, doduše to je i bila namera, dati omaž ili takozvani „tribute“ bendovima koji su me najviše inspirisali da počnem to da radim, a koji su uglavnom u tom old school blek metal stilu. Album je snimljen skormno, jednim mikrofonom u sobi i fokus je na samoj atmosferi i sirovosti emocija koje nosi sa sobom. Iako trenutno ne slušam toliko bendova sa tom sirovom old school produkcijom, uvek mi je bilo drago da Strahor poseduje takav album u diskografiji . To jeste drugi album i inače osmo izdanje, nekako ga smatram prvim ozbiljnijim izadnjem, sve pre toga svrstao bih u neku demo fazu benda.

5. Pored uticaja stare škole black metala, koji se oseća na prvom albumu,na kasnijim izdanjima  prisutan je i sve veći uticaj slovenske mitologije u tekstovima, pa i samim notama. Možemo li očekivati nastavak muzičkog istraživanja u tom pravcu?

Volkh: Iskreno ni sam ne znam, donekle da, a donekle i ne. To dolazi spontano i u skladu sa raspoloženjem. Trenutno radim na 3 nova izdanja. Svakako će biti prisutnije melodije, ali i žestine.

6. Šta muzika predstavlja za tebe? Na koji način te definiše?

Volkh: Muzika, kao i sama umetnost, koliko god to bilo nekom kliše, za mene predstavlja apsolutnu slobodu u svakom smislu, i svetove koje sam stvaram po svojoj volji. Definiše me celog, bez nje bih bio prazan.

7. Mini singlom „Wolven Storm“, došlo je do pojačanja Strahora na bas gitari i scream vokalima. Hoće li Strahor ostati one man projekat ili nam ovo izdanje najavljuje novo doba?

Volkh: „Wolven Storm“ je bio kolaboracija sa mojim kolegama iz projekata Morana i Paganus Diabolous, koji su takođe one-man bendovi. Često se dešava da takvi projekti saradjuju medjusobno na nekim pesmama ili čak albumima, ali za sada sam ja jedini u Strahoru. Novo doba za bend svakako dolazi, i to će se čuti izlaskom trećeg albuma na kojem radim već od završetka prethodnog. Nadam se da će Strahor nekad biti bend sa celom postavom i aktivnim nastupima.

8. Planovi za budućnost?

Volkh: Trenutno se završava jedno izdanje koje ćemo uskoro najaviti,  i veoma sam uzbuđen zbog toga. Pored tog izdanja, ništa zagarantovano, sprema se svega i svačega. Radim intenzivno i na prvom full-lenghtu benda Monah u kome smo ja i Grba iz Morane.

9. I na kraju, šta bi poručio čitaocima našeg Webzina?

Volkh: Puno zdravlja i sreće svima! Slava!

Made by: Predrag G.

Recenzija: Talog - "Ona kojoj tama se klanja", Croatia, (2020.)

  Talog - "Ona kojoj tama se klanja", Croatia, (2020.)

Mystery of the woman in the Slavonic soil. A review of the album "Ona kojoj tama se klanja" (She, who the darkness bows down to) by Talog.

Talog bandcamp page

The thing I like about quality dungeon synth, one of the most hermetic genres, is certainly the atmopshere, as well as elements of other ambient influences, because it's coated by the cloak of noble mystery in most cases. This shadowy area of music, which is quite young as a genre (about 30 years old), luckily didn't bypass our region. One of our significant native representatives is the project Talog from Požega (Croatia), and he describes his music as "gloomy Slavonic surroundings", and he puts effort into accurately showcasing that on his albums, which are recognized in the bounds of Europe, if not even beyond. His version of DS is first and foremost of thematic nature and carries the epithet "vampiric", as a pledge to the mentioned entity of evil present amongst humans, it turns out, for centuries longer than anyone would've thought. His works are somewhat withdrawn, in the sense of presenting a profusion of colors and melodies, but instead they carve fragments with quiet agression into the listener's brain, which are hard to get out later. Because of that calm and concealed nature of his, I suppose most people won't notice the layers, as well as the mentioned fragments that remain like the metal taste of blood in your mouth. At least I gained that kind of an impression while listening to his earlier albums late into the night, which I recommend only to those who are brave enough and endure the dead silence of the night well, along with the forces that a regular man isn't ready to take on. In case your conscious is clear or you simply trust supernatural forces (you control them?), Talog is ideal for night walks. This time around I will present his new album "Ona kojoj tama se klanja", which brought a twist in the sense that a piece of history from the author's birthplace was taken and given an adequate musical background, in the best possible way. Namely, archeologists discovered old mass graves during the XX century, and among other things found a place, which they labeled with the number "32" (which is about the length of the album), along with an unusual sight which is still covered by a veil of secrets. To lovers of archeology, antiquity, and especially myths and legends, as well as those with a wild imagination, I recommend you read the entire article (You can read the whole article in English in album's description): https://blagamisterije.com/misterij-vampira-iz-groba-32-pedesetih-godina-u-slavoniji-je-pronaden-kostur-star-tisucu-godina-proboden-kolcem-odrubljene-glave/18205/. If you're still looking for unanswerable answers and were intrigued by the story from the article, I suggest you listen to the album comparatively. In a very weird way, Talog gave this whole story a tone, a harmony with which it can flicker into infinity. I dare say that this entire concept rests on drone elements as well, but those moments fit in well and they extend almost unrecognizably. The timbre of the synth is very archaic, it has some kind of an echo of antiquity, and I don't know exactly why, but it reminds me of the background music from Disney's classic "Sleeping beauty" (one of my favorite adaptations), if anyone ever noticed that. A fairytale environment, along with a pretty unclear explanation of who's behind this legend and the dedication to the extraordinary woman definitely add to the quality of the album, and the proof is the title itself and a few tracks. I can't hide my excitement with what "Ona kojoj tama se klanja" offers, and in my opinion, this is one of the most mature Talog's works. Besides the aforementioned qualities, I'd like to mention the all-encompassing feeling of dread you have while listening to this album, as well as the paralysis before the solemn, and at the same time pretty unworthy death of the woman who might have known what we never will. That factor of secrecy is hard to achieve and to convey through music, especially when we take into account that the vampirism as a theme was explored in many ways in just two centuries of existence. However, it isn't out of reach, because you'll notice here a spark of a new take on the theme in every song, and you won't lose the thought that this is all about something beautiful, but (un)expectedly on the dark side of life and (maybe seemingly) death. I'd exclude morbidity as a category, even though someone might think of it.

Why would the Darkness bow down to anyone anyway, unless they're worth it?

I honestly expect this album to become a classic of the genre within a few decades, because it captivates with its modest charm, unusual approach and music that is unobtrusive and minimalistic at its core, but piercing enough, as if you're reading lines that make your blood run cold.

Listen album: https://talog.bandcamp.com/album/ona-kojoj-tama-se-klanja

Made by: Daniel Tikvicki

Translator: Petar Stojanović

Original review (Serbian): http://www.hellycherry.com/2020/08/talog-ona-kojoj-tama-se-klanja.html

Intervju: Irina Zybina and Ruzveld Grai, (Grai, Russia)

 Irina Zybina and Ruzveld Grai, (Grai, Russia)

The folk metal scene of Russia is extremely strong and present. The guardians of the tradition of their ancestors live and preserve their culture through their music. One such band is Grai. These days we’ve talked about music and everything with  Irina Zybina and Ruzveld Grai..

Official facebook page

1. Why the name Grai? When and how was came that idea?

Irina / Ruzveld: Actually, the name came a bit later than the band was formed. At the very beginning, the band’s name was Raven Blood. Later it was decided, that the name shall be changed for something less trivial, and that it shall be sonorous and reflect the folk component of our music. That’s how the name Grai which means the bird’s cry was created.

2. You define your music folk and pagan metal, inspired by russian nature and culture. What is the impact of that?

Irina / Ruzveld: Since Russia is the large country inhabited with people of many nationalities and cultures and having various types of climate and nature landscapes, that’s really an undrainable source of inspiration. The mysterious thick forests, the olden swamps and the wicked heaths, the tales and the ancient songs of different folks – everything can become an inspiration.

3. Grai is?

Irina / Ruzveld: The band of like-minded people united with the desire to create something beautiful and to get the ideas, feelings and emotions across to the audience. We hope that everyone can find something of his/her own in our music.

4. Last album "Пепел" was well received by the audience, which was to be expected. How are you and the band satisfied with him?

Irina / Ruzveld: The feedback from the audience was even better than it was expected, indeed. Since the album became the transitive step to the music of another kind in comparison to our previous LPs, we haven’t expected the public reaction to be so warm. As for the band, we’re really proud of this work. To our mind, at this very moment, it’s the most deliberate and mature album, and we hope that it’s the first step to something new and magnificent. 

5. You often collaborate with other artists from folk/pagan music world. What are your experiences of these cooperations? Will You continue to explore music with other musicians and artists that you'll be sharing the listeners?

Irina / Ruzveld: That wouldn’t be quite right to say that we have many collabs with folk/pagan bands particularly. There was the participation of our vocalist in the album of Ukrainian band Sventoyar and several collabs with the Slovakian band Ramchat. Anyway, that’s always a huge honour to get such an offer from any band or musician. Moreover, it’s a great responsibility, because people put trust in you when they suggest being a part of their music. For now, we can’t say exactly about the plans in that respect, but we also do not rule out such a possibility.

6. What is the music for you? In which way music defines you?

Irina / Ruzveld: Despite the fact, that all the band members have different tastes in music, we’re equally of our opinion that music is our life. We simply can’t imagine our existence without music. It surrounds us everywhere both in our concert activities and in the common life, and moreover, that’s an enormous source of inspiration, of course.

7. How our readers can buy Grai albums?

Irina / Ruzveld: To order our albums and our merch, you can anytime contact Ruzveld Grai on Facebook directly; you can also order it per Bandcamp (www.grai.bandcamp.com)  or contact our label Noizgate Records.

8. Plans for future?

Irina / Ruzveld: We can lift the veil a little bit and tell that we’re planning to upload several home-like videos like the one we’ve uploaded at the end of July. We also have a surprise for our fans which we’d still prefer to keep in secret for this moment. And of course we’re working on the new material for the future release. 

9. Another concert in Serbia, perhaps?

Irina / Ruzveld: Unfortunately, we can’t make any predictions right now, because of the world situations. But we hope for the better and believe that it’ll happen as soon as the borders are opened again.

10. And in the end what will you tell readers in Serbia?

Irina / Ruzveld: Take care, listen to good music, support the artists and see you at the gigs!

Made by: Predrag G.

Intervju: David Quinn, Celtachor (Ireland)

David Quinn, Celtachor (Ireland)

Ireland, the land of the Celts. That, mystical country that nurtures and preserves the tradition of folk metal. One of the most important factors in the Irish music scene is the band Celtachor. They have been on the music scene for a long time, they have three studio albums behind them and a lot of live performances. If you love Ireland, they will love this band too..

David Quinn,Co-Founder, lead guitarist & songwriter at Celtachor

1. Why the name Celtachor?  When and how was came that idea?

David: We chose the name Celtachor as a play on two words meaning "all of the celt" or "Celts all". It was Stephen who sugested the name and we both agreeded to it and formed the band 13 years ago. 

2. Celtachor  music genre is  Pagan/Folk metal, inspired by the Irish mythology and history. What is the impact of that?

David: I think all people should their imbrace culture and mythology. We have a tradition of storytelling in Ireland. The tradition of Sean-nós (storyteller who sings) in ireland which helped shape our myth and socal activities is dying out. We try to embrace that part of our aincent past and bring it forward to people can see where we are coming from. If you look at the lyrics that stephen wrote you can see that the tell a story while with the music we try to do the same and give a mood or feeling to bring you in to that moment in our mythology.

3. Last album " Fiannaíocht" was well received by the audience, which was to be expected. How are you satisfied with him?

David: "Fiannaíocht" musically was one of our hardest projects to date. It's part of a cycle with in Irish myth that has huge significane for us so it had to be our best. The writing was very intensive and we had to learn to be really critical of ourselves yet put out the absolute best to  give the story justice. I would defenity say that we were all hugly proud of it when it was completed.

Official facebook page

4. You often collaborate with other artists (Cruachan, Waylander, Mael Mordha, etc). What are your experiences of these cooperations? Will You continue to explore music with other musicians and artists that you'll be sharing the listeners?

David: Irelands folk metal scene is very very small. We all know each other and have great respect for each others bands plus its always easier when everyone is friends. Because we mainly play in mainland europe we meet a lot of other artists, so we really try to stay in touch with them and work with them when we can. Its all for fun in the end. We released a cover of a curachan son and had a few people in to help us and we worked on a second cover but a few thing recently have gotten in our way so we have had to hold off on it for now but we will absolutly continue to colaborate with others.

5. Celtachor has undergone a change in the composition of the band in the last few days..some members went their separate ways. What are the further plans for the continuation of the band work?

David: Celtachor will continue. It is unfortunate that we have had members leave but that is part of been in a band. There is no ill will towards anyone that has come and gone from our band and i wish them the best but im not ready yet to let it go. I feel to passionatly about it to just let it go.

6. These days, good news has arrived for pagan folk metal fans. Namely, you became a member of the band,Cruachan, how did that cooperation come about?

David: Yes its fantastic, im really excited. Cruchan are my friends and also one of the bands we have always looked up to and respected. To be asked to join was brilliant for me and certinly a confidence boost.

7. What is the music for you ? In which way music defines  you?

David: I have no dreams of beening a rock star, i never have, i just love to play music and see people enjoying what i do. I like to think i work really really hard to entertain our fans and hopfully gain new ones too.

8. Plans for future?

David: Yes,....but i cant tell you just yet, sorry.

9. A concert in Serbia, perhaps?

David: Absolutly, we would love to play. We just need promoters to take note and book us.... btw if anyone dose want to contact us do so by facebook on our band page or celtachorofficial@hotmail.com

10. And in the end what will you tell readers in Serbia?

David: I am possitive for the future of my band and Folk metal.I thank you so much for your support and for listening to our music. I want to hear Serbian Folk metal bands at festivals and have a beer with them after they play and maybe they can tell us a few storys from there homeland too.

Made by: Predrag G.

Intervju: Smuta, (Russia)

 Smuta, (Russia)

These days, we talked to the great pagan metal of Russia. Introducing the band, Smuta..

Official facebook page

1. Why the name Smuta? When and how was came that idea?

Evgeniy: Well, let me remember... The very idea came to me a long time ago, I think about 15-20 years ago, when I only planned to form a band. "Smuta" as a negative and dark word with historical connotation seemed to be an appropriate name for Pagan metal band, I think. :)

2. You define your music folk and pagan metal, inspired by russian nature and culture. What is the impact of that?

Evgeniy: Certainly, beauty and diversity of nature, archaic beliefs, culture, mythology and also rich historical legacy of Central and Northern Russia strongly affected our creative work and became the foundation we have always been based upon and inspired by when composing our songs.

3. Smuta is?

Evgeniy: Smuta is the time of troubles, riots and disorder, extremely hard times in the history of both our Motherland and other countries whether it is the 10th, 17th, 20th or 21st century. It is the time of pain, suffering, exasperation, permissiveness and anarchy.

4. Two last albums, "Tribute to SMUTA "15"" and ”The Time Of Troubles”, was well received by the audience, which was to be expected. How are you and the band satisfied with this albums?

Evgeniy: We are quite satisfied in general. Of course after a time some thoughts appear that we could have done it better, but it is just display of perfectionism. :) Particularly, I would like to point out tribute album "15", as unlike full-length album "The Time Of Troubles" it was an absolutely new format for us. We are glad that it came out just the way we planned. It was a perfect present for our anniversary!

5. You often collaborate with other artists from folk/pagan music world. What are your experiences of these cooperations? Will You continue to explore music with other musicians and artists that you'll be sharing the listeners?

Evgeniy: Perhaps an example of the most productive collaboration with other musicians is the abovementioned "Tribute to SMUTA "15". ))) Also there were joint gigs and records with colleagues in the industry and also participation in tribute-albums. I can’t say that we have a lot of such experience, but during 15 years of our creative work we definitely had some cases, and I think some joint projects will appear in the future.

6. What is the music for you ? In which way music defines you?

Evgeniy: It’s hard to say... music for me is an integral part of life. It affects my emotions and mood, and it is always close by.

7. How our readers can buy Smuta albums?

Evgeniy: If you are talking about CD, they are available in official internet-shop of our label SoundAge production: soundage.org/shop/ , digital copies are available, for instance, at our Bandcamp: smuta.bandcamp.com .

8. Plans for future?

Evgeniy: Our new single "Wormwood’s sorrow" is coming out early autumn. I think it will provide some insight into our upcoming album, which is in process now. We are also planning to make a video for one of new songs. Also we hope to play first show this autumn after more than half-year forced interruption. 

9. Concert in Serbia, perhaps?

Evgeniy: Nothing is impossible. Proposals from promoters are always welcome. We do have plans and desire to visit Europe with our concerts.

10. And in the end what will you tell readers in Serbia?

Evgeniy: Listen to good music, take interest in history and culture of your land and in the light of recent events take care of your health and your relatives. Hope to see you at our concerts!

Made by: Predrag G.