Russian Assault Against Modern Society

Black Metal lives in all geographies of the World, which is of common knowledge. Russian Black Metal, the one that came from underneath the dirty, brings Hate and Anger, and a powerful will to rebel.

МРАКОБЕС are a perfect example of the exquisite combination of stripped-down Punk, and Raw Black Metal. This is no new take on the genre, but very little have, in my modest opinion, perfectly replicated what Ildjarn crafted years ago. МРАКОБЕС are not, in any way, an Ildjarn tribute band, as they well state, but you get the picture.

Check out Horrible Room (web archival Bandcamp... check these mothafucking crazy arse lunatics if you have not yet...), amazing Russian Black Metal label that has given us this amazing gift!

Welcome. Let me begin by asking you to contextualize your name. According to what I read in Metal-archives, the same can be translated / interpreted as "enemy of progress, culture and science", among others. Is there an idea of regression here, or of denial?

At first, we did not care much about the title. It sounds sharp in Russian and is easy to remember. Although literal translation would be something like "obscure demon", definition given by you is also relevant to our worldview. We feel ourselves alien in the modern world of decay and materialism, where science and progress have become a new religion. That is why our music is the way to escape from this reality and to return to the times, we have never lived.

How has your journey been to this day? Is this your first project?

A: This is not my first project, but the only one currently. I have been working on solo ambient/black metal project under the name "Naubât", now it is disposed; I am working on another project. 

D: This is also not my first project, I had been working with local hardcore-punk bands which were unnoticed. Currently I have four bands, we make records and give shows time to time.

S: This is not my first project either. I have some musical projects in parallel, I take my time and write electronic and dance music, although most of the time nowadays I spend on design projects.

This EP is your first work – at least under this nomenclature – and you present a set of 5 songs sung in Russian (the exception is Ildjarn's cover). Have you ever considered singing in a language other than yours? Truth be told, the weight is all there, and the appeal to Russo gives it a rather interesting (and frightening) dynamic.

Russian language was chosen on purpose. Most of the lyrics are dedicated to Russian and Slavic culture, its dark aspects. That is why different language would destroy the whole concept.

Your EP came out independently, on your music platforms, and on cassette (and digital form) by Horrible Room. Horrible Room’s roster is quite in line with your sound. How did this limited edition take place by HR?

We acquainted with the label via the Internet, and became friends easily, because our views on many subjects are alike. We consider "Horrible Room" to be the best label in Russia, with such specialization. That is why we wanted to get there in the first place.

"Mpakobec" was released over 1 year ago. Have you been affected by the pandemic to the point where it is impossible for you to write more songs?

The pandemic did not have an impact on our creation at all; it was the opposite, because the first demo was recorded during the lockdown. We take our time and do everything at our own rhythm; we pay much attention to arrangement, to make our songs more interesting. Currently we are working on the second album, although we spend much time on other projects and life issues.

Beyond the original 5, you close the EP with a cover of Ildjarn. Can we assume that you have Ildjarn as a source of inspiration for the music you make?

We are fascinated by primal anger and rawness in his music, which are important aspects of our music as well. So, of course Ildjarn did have a serious impact on us ( along with many other bands) but we don't consider ourselves as Ildjarn-worship band.

You feel that Black Metal has lost that facet more... dangerous and indifference to the World?

Of course, black metal has become a part of mainstream rapidly, which it tried to oppose in the first place, and now it is nothing like early 90's black metal.

What is your take on the world Black Metal scene these days? What projects do you have as trusts to the foundations you take as structuring of the kind?

We don't pay much attention to current Black Metal scene, only to Horrible Room stuff, and foreign Raw Black Metal labels like Poisonous Sorcery, Perverse Homage, Black Gangrene Productions. In general, we listen to early 90's and early 2000's bands like Darkthrone, Emperor's early demos, Grausamkeit, Moonblood, Satanic Warmaster, etc. Talking about current bands we listen to Skrawl, Strongblood, Cruel Master, Wampyric Rites.

What idea, and what posture, do you try to pass with your music? In terms of sound, there is a recover of old sounds, a return to the Past and the naked sounds of artifice and aggressive. Nevertheless, is Black Metal just Music?

For us Black Metal is all about music, anything else comes next. Certain naivety, primitiveness and romanticism, which come with the genre, are perfect tools for us to express our own ideas, thoughts and emotions. One of the main ideas is to make people interested in their own history and mythology, probably.

What are your influences? What urges you to write the music you write?

The main inspiration for our music is Slavic mythology, paganism and nature. We don't consider ourselves as pagans in religious discourse, however we are highly interested in paganism as a cultural phenomenon. We have a great respect towards culture and traditions of our ancestors. It is such a pity that only a small amount of information about those times has reached us, and destructive power of Christianity is one of the factors.

How has the pandemic and confinement stirred you and your plans? Do you think a situation like this can change our posture and behavior?

The pandemic did not have an impact on our plans at all. Lockdown was not a thing in Russia. People live like there is no pandemic; most of them do not wear masks, only when the authorities require it. In fact, we do not think the World will change much after the pandemic, we don't care about it either.

What can we expect from you for the future? More “rotten” sound and revolt?

We are half way through our second album recording process currently. We polish the sound and search for new ways to express our ideas; that is why the sound will slightly change. Less Punk more Black Metal. However, do not worry, raw sound will not go anywhere. Wait for  new music soon! Thank's for your questions.

МРАКОБЕС Official Bandcamp