WELICORUSS

Russia

January 10, 2008

212 plays
8,342 views

Band/artist history

2001 Originally, there was no group, but one-man band “WelicoRuss”. From time to time Alexei (the ideologist and the founder of the project) left the messages on Novosibirsk metal forums, using WelicoRuss as a nickname. Initially, the word “Welicoruss” wasn’t invented, but taken from Russian history  Dobroljubov and Chernishevskii popularized revolutionary leaflets “WelicoRuss” in 40-60s of XIX century. The name attracted by its bright, stored and revolutionary shade. In the beginning Welicoruss’ music represented a mixture of gothic metal with folk and symphonic, and that was, probably, not actually music, but simply a result of the experiments with the sound, the result of learning the foundations of harmony, the foundations of working with the sound and it didn’t represent something outstanding. But already at that time one could observe the main tune and the shoots of the conception. At that time Alexei was highly influenced by Russian paganism with its views on the universe and its mystical side. He was more interested in subtle, invisible sides of the reality that at times had depressing shades. 2002 The first record served as the sum of stored up experience. Demo-record of the album “Wintermoon Symphony” came out in quantity of 5 copies and was distributed in the shop “Drive”. The first reviews appear in the net, but they bear more amateur shade, than impartial criticism. In a short time Alexei realizes that the quality level fails and he has to work at many aspects of the creation a lot. At this moment Alexei goes to deep Novosibirsk “underground” for a long time. Some side-projects appear in parallel with “WelicoRuss” project. The project “MidGard” becomes one of those. There was an attempt to create a group with such a name, consisting of 3 persons: Welicoruss (Alexei)  guitar; Raven (Roman)  scream, growl; Darksider (Andrei)  drums. But these attempts of joint work weren’t crowned with success, thus the group broke apart shortly. But in spite of this, some records remain. 2004 Time goes by, Alexei’s interests and passions change, so as his world view does. The narrow frameworks of “WelicoRuss” project become too small and a one more side dark ambient project  “StigMata66” appears. In fact, abovementioned style isn’t such in pure form; most likely, this project is a mixture of many directions in electronic music, but the idea of future album was already clearly outlined. At that time Alexei was interested in the idea of artificial intelligence. Even more not in the intelligence itself, but in a soul in mechanical life and what it could be. In the end 2004 the album of “StigMata66” project “Transcendental CyberOrganika” comes out. It appears on the counter of shop “Meloman”, but it also didn’t get the further advance. The abovementioned album was reviewed in magazine “Dark City” in demo-zone section and was valued at 4 stars and bonus-records in the end of the disk were pointed to. Those were exactly demo-records of “WelicoRuss” project. They got good comments already at that time. 2005 An intensive and laborious work is going at full-size album of “WelicoRuss” project. The new songs and compositions are being created, new lyrics is being made. The soul, the conception of the album is being collected together. The idea was already formed at that time, being enlarged occasionally. The idea is not based on simple enumeration of private feelings concerning outward things. It’s based on ancient occult teachings, proclaiming the beginning of the New, Gold Era of the mankind, the bloom of which will begin from Russia. Now “WelicoRuss” isn’t some concrete person as it used to be, now it is a symbol, representing all the greatness, purity, sublimity, tolerance, holiness of Russian people in its highest understanding in contrast to egoism, dissoluteness of west people. Many foretellers of now and the past said about future greatness of Russian land. Skeptics could not listen to them and state that it’s a full utopia, but the hope never faded away in pure heart of Russian man. The whole change of epoch is going at the turning point of this millennium according to east legends; one can say the epoch of Destruction is being replaced with the epoch of Creation and only blind don’t see that everything is changing every day in this world. In the end of that year Alexei get acquainted with flutist Roman and drummer Ivan, also known as DD from group “Requiem”. Alexei meets future keyboard-man Paul in “Rock City” club at the presentation of the album of group “Decuman wave”. Alexei invites a familiar guitarist Mort and the first rehearsals begin. 2006 Vocalist Natasha and bass-man Kostya “SAD” come into the group. The first and the simplest songs from the future album are being rehearsed. In the February the group exchanges the drummer for Ilya “Elias”, also known by a famous Novosibirsk death metal group “Ungraved”. In March Mort is replaced by Vixen, who leaves his group “Lethargy” for the sake of “WelicoRuss”. That’s the moment when a hard work at the sound begins. On the 1st of April the semi-final of the contest “Novosibirsk Musical Olympus” in rock-vocal nomination took place in “Rock City” club, where the group was noticed and marked out by all members of jury. On the 15th of April the final of this action was held, where “WelicoRuss” took the second place in rock-vocal nomination. After some time, Kostya SAD leaves the group because of work and some discords and his place is taken by Barmaley, who plays in group Anti[DOT] as well. The rehearsals are going on and the material from future album is being learned. On 25th of June, the Day of the City, the group performs at Rock Music Festival on the embankment. Some other groups: Decuman Wave, Ungraved, DeLight, PackAttack. For the first time, the group played Finntrol cover  “The Battle Near Blood River”. 6th of July  group receives an invitation to play on rock-club “Moon” in Berdsk. In spite of low sound level, and small number of guests, the performance succeeded. On the 6th of August the group takes part in rock-fest “New Names”. Though it didn’t reach the final, it was marked by the public. 30th of September  the first out performance. It was “Rock-Resurrection V”, hold in Barnaul with participation such groups as SoundStorm and Plazdarm etc. The fest succeeded, the audience was awesome, but what followed the performance crossed out all positive sides of the fest. The organizers didn’t observed a number of rules and, actually, the groups were screwed. After Barnaul trip the group start recording its first full-format album at “Megaton” studio. 16th of November  the “Siberian xXx-treme III” Fest takes place with participation of Daline, Demon Project, WelicoRuss, Eternal Wisdom. Werwolf. For the first time, group uses prepared costumes and make-up. According to audience appreciation and reviews, the group played rather good, much better, than earlier. During the rehearsals it became clear, that group needs the second keyboard to show the full music material. That’s why Alagos (keys; vocals) became one of group members. 2007 29th of January  heavy music Fest, the presentation of album of group Inexist. The first performance with Alagos. February. The first live-video “Slavonic Power”, cut of 5 video-records (from “Siberian xXx-treme III” Fest), was ready and available on the site. Rhythm-guitarist Vixen leaves the group because of his personal problems and the guys stop for some time. After a few weeks, Darklight was found, who liked the Welicoruss’ material. The rehearsals resumed and the album recording at “Megaton” studio was going on as well. 8th & 10th of May  shooting a clip for the track “Blizzard” in the studio of photographer Alexander Fefelov. Alexander Tret’yakov, free photographer, writer and painter has become the director and the conception author. Cameraman  Konstantin Stremousov. The cutting begins. 20th of May  Abortarium, Ungraved, WelicoRuss, Morior, Umbra  fest, organized by bike-club “White Wolves”. The first fest with new guitarist. One should point out good fest organization and sound. The performance would be rather good for the group, if solo-guitarist didn’t have one of his strings ripped in the middle of the set. June  Elias begins the reduction of the first album tracks. The search of new sound and the correction of the arrangements are in progress. July-August  Group Holiday. September. In connection with same stylistic disagreements, the group had to give up with Barmaley. After some time the group make a proposal to Mech from group Aida to take Barmaley’s place. After affirmative answer, the group got to work.

Have you performed in front of an audience?

We play live. There were nearly 20-25 concerts. We like it very much!

Your musical influences

Nokturnal Mortum, Therion, Lacrimosa, Metallica, Dimmu Borgir, Nightwish

#metal #folk #dark #blackmetal #pagan #symphonicMetal #welicoruss

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