Alkonost (band)

Last updated
Alkonost
Origin Naberezhnye Chelny, Tatarstan, Russia
Genres Folk metal
Years active1996–present
Labels
  • Art of the Night
  • Beverina
  • Black Death
  • Einheit
  • Ketzer
  • MetalAgen
  • Metalism
  • Sleaszy Rider
  • Sound Age
  • Soyuz
  • Vic
MembersAndrey Losev
Ksenia Pobuzhanskaya
Pavel Kosolapov
Vadim Grozov
Past membersAlexey Solovyov
Alexey Polkhovskyi
Sergey "Coocker" Medvedev
Vladimir Lushin
Almira Fatkhullina
Anton Chepigin
Alyona Pasynkova (Pelevina)
Dmitry Sokolov
Max Shtanke
Anastasiya Ryabova
Rustem Shagitov
Website alkonost.ru

Alkonost is a Russian epic folk metal band formed in Naberezhnye Chelny, Tatarstan, Russia in 1995.

Contents

Popularity

The band is best known amongst heavy metal fans in their native country of the Russian Federation. However, their music has been discussed and shared on the internet, particularly on Usenet, and they have found new audiences in the Nordic countries and United Kingdom. Signed to Metalism Records, their albums are available with English titles, although the songs themselves are predominantly sung in Russian. In 2007, for the first time, the band was able to perform outside of Russia, touring Ukraine, Belarus, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, [1] where they were warmly received. [2]

History

1996–1999

Andrey Losev (Elk), a bass guitarist who had previously performed in Mourning Beads, Molestation, and Canonis, founded the band Alkonost in August 1996.

2000–2004

On January 26, 2000, the band presented their debut full-length album, “Songs of the Eternal Oak”, which was released on audio cassettes in May by the Latvian label Beverina Productions and the German Ketzer Records. After that Alkonost played some shows, including “Death Panorama 9” and a festival in Ulyanovsk. However, due to numerous technical problems, the band had to stop playing live since October 2000. On July 31, 2002, through the efforts of Beverina Productions and Ketzer Records, the Alkonost CD was released, consisting of an album “Songs of the Eternal Oak”, a demo “Spirit Tending to Revolt”, as well as two video clips.

2005–2007

In 2005, the band toured a lot. However, at the same time, Alkonost was overtaken by problems - the planned album “Mezhmirie” (Russian version of “Between the Worlds”) did not come out, and the band's manager D. V. Tyunev had resigned. After these events, the band began to record the upcoming album “Pout' Neproydenny” (The Path We've Never Made) (CDM-Records studio). Thus, in 2006, their new label, Metalism Records, issued both albums, the old “Between the Worlds” and the new “The Path We've Never Made”.

After finishing the tour, the band prepared to record new songs, simultaneously re-recording their debut album “Songs of the Eternal Oak” with Russian lyrics. In 2007, Alkonost played the shows together with Master, as well as with Znich at the folk metal music festival in Minsk.

2008–2009

In 2008, the band went on tour in Russia and in April 2009 - in Europe (Poland, Slovenia, Holland, Germany, Slovakia, Czech Republic), where it performed at Ragnarok fest, held in Germany from April 17 to 18.

2010–2013

In 2010, the new album “Na Kryliakh Zova” (On the Wings of the Call) was released by the German label “Einheit Produktionen”. Alexey Solovyov left the band. Alkonost focused on recording the next studio album, occasionally giving single performances in Russia and Ukraine.

In 2011–2012, Almira Fatkhullina, Alyona Pelevina, Anton Chepigin and session bassist/vocalist Vladimir Pavlik left the band. In 2012, Ksenia Pobuzhanskaya (vocals) and Maxim Shtanke (vocals/bass guitar) joined the band, and with this updated line-up Alkonost returned to active touring. In 2012, the band continued touring and participated in such large-scale events as: Moto-Maloyaroslavets, Invasion, Fire Fest festivals and Carpathian Alliance Metal Festival (UA). Then Alkonost went on a short tour around the cities of Ukraine.

2013–2015

2013 was marked by the release of a new album “Skazki Stranstviy” (Tales of Wanderings) and a big tour to support it. In 2015, Maxim Shtanke and Dmitry Sokolov left the band. They were temporarily replaced by Vitold "Vitold" Buznayev (bass guitar, vocals) and Danila Pereladov (guitar).

2016–present

In the early summer of 2016, Latvian label Beverina reissued Alkonost's album “Kamennogo Serdtsa Krov'” (Stone Heart Blood) on a vinyl. In 2016, Rustem Shagitov joined the band as a bass guitarist and Pavel Kosolapov took the place of guitarist-vocalist.

On March 17, 2017, Alkonost had signed a three-year contract with Sleasly Rider Records label to release the album “Pesni Beloy Lilii” (Songs of the White Lily) on a CD for distribution in Europe. On April 1, 2018, Internet edition of the single “Listopad” (Leaf Fall) was released. End of February 2020 - March 2020. Alkonost did a Ural-Siberian tour from Ufa to Krasnoyarsk with session musicians: Ravil Nizametdinov - drums (Psychosis, Impact), Pavel Kosolapov - guitar. On November 13, 2020, the album "Alkonost - Piano version" was released. On January 21, 2021, the ninth full-length album "Vedomye Vetrom" (Driven by the Wind) is released.

Members

Current members

Live musicians

Former members

Former live members

Timeline

Alkonost (band)

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Demos and EPs

DVDs

Related Research Articles

Embodyment was a Christian rock band from Arlington, Texas. The group formed in 1992 and were first known by the name Supplication where they originally played death metal, later turning to deathcore with the release of their debut album Embrace the Eternal, which in turn is credited as one of the earliest deathcore releases of all time. Following their debut full-length the band would completely abandon all their extreme metal elements thereafter, pursuing instead an alternative rock style with their album The Narrow Scope of Things and subsequently became lighter with each proceeding album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iron Savior</span> German power metal band

Iron Savior is a German power metal band that was formed in Hamburg in 1996. Following a period of several years working behind the scenes in music production, multi-instrumentalist and producer/engineer Piet Sielck joined with former Helloween bandmate Kai Hansen and then-drummer for Blind Guardian, Thomen Stauch in a new project that would blend power metal with a high-concept science fiction story. The band's debut album Iron Savior introduced the story that would be told over the course of multiple albums, featuring a self-aware space vessel called the Iron Savior and its relationship to the mythical lost civilization of Atlantis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suidakra</span> German band

Suidakra is a German melodic death metal band from Düsseldorf, Germany. During their twenty-year career, they have performed over 200 live shows for several European and Russian tours, as well as a North American tour. They are known for their use of traditional instruments to augment their sound, such as the bagpipe, banjo, and tin whistle.

Broken Bones are an English hardcore punk band, originally founded in 1983 by Anthony "Bones" Roberts, than later recruited his brother Terence "Tezz" Roberts. They evolved from the band Discharge, and later moved into a style known as crossover. They have released eight albums, three EPs and a number of singles. The band has gone through a number of line-up changes over the years and have toured internationally.

The Eternal are an Australian gothic/doom metal band formed in 2003 by Mark Kelson on guitar, lead vocals and keyboards. They are known for playing dark, melodic, doom metal with eastern and gothic influences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benighted</span> French deathgrind band

Benighted is a French deathgrind band formed in Saint-Étienne in 1998. The group comprises vocalist Julien Truchan, guitarists Emmanuel Dalle and Fabien "Fack" Desgardins, bassist Pierre Arnoux and drummer Kevin Paradis, Benighted have released nine studio albums.

Golden Dawn is an Austrian band formed by Stefan Traunmüller, originally as a one-man black metal project, in 1992. It eventually attracted the attention of two influential Austrian metallists, Ray Wells of Pazuzu and Martin Schirenc of Pungent Stench and Hollenthon, which led to a compilation appearance and eventually a recording contract with Dark Matter Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Master (Russian band)</span> Russian thrash metal band

Master is a Russian thrash metal band founded in 1987 by former members of Aria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arkona (band)</span> Russian folk metal band

Arkona is a Russian folk metal band. Their lyrics are heavily influenced by Russian folklore and Slavic mythology, and their music incorporates several traditional Russian musical instruments. The name of the band "Arkona" refers to the last Pre-Christianized Slavic city-castle.

Anthem is a Japanese heavy metal band that was formed during the early 1980s in Tokyo. They are among the many heavy metal bands founded in Japan during that time and are considered to be one of the most successful and influential, alongside Loudness and Earthshaker.

Avulsed is a Spanish death metal band, formed in August 1991 in Madrid by Dave Rotten.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mavrin (Russian band)</span>

Mavrin (Маврин), formerly known as Mavrik (Маврик), is a Russian heavy/progressive metal band formed and led by former Aria guitarist Sergey Mavrin.

Holy Blood is a folk metal band from Kyiv, Ukraine, formed in 1999. The band is notable for being one of the few Christian bands in its genre, and the fact that they are the most successful group on its label Bombworks Records, and the band has been noted worldwide despite being an underground group. Holy Blood has released six albums: The Wanderer, Waves Are Dancing, The Patriot, Shining Sun, Day of Vengeance and Voice of Blood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Finsterforst</span> German folk metal band

Finsterforst is a German folk metal band from Schwarzwald, Baden-Württemberg, whose lyrical themes deal with nature, German myths, and fantasy worlds. Formed in 2004, the group has released five studio albums, one extended play and one compilation album.

<i>Illegimitation</i> Album by Obscura

Illegimitation is a compilation album released by German Technical Death Metal band Obscura. It was independently released by the band via crowdfunding.

Holy Dragons is a Kazakhstani metal band, founded in 1992 in Almaty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katalepsy</span> Russian death metal band

Katalepsy is a Russian death metal band from Moscow. The group formed in 2003, and have released two split albums, one EP, three full-length albums, and one demo. The band's name is a variation of the word "catalepsy", a disorder involving catatonic schizophrenia. Some lyrical themes of the band include gore, violence, splatter, murder and perversions. They are currently signed to Unique Leader Records. Following the departure of guitarist "Helv" in 2009, no original members remain in the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darkestrah</span>

Darkestrah is a Kyrgyz pagan metal band, formed in 1999 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Throughout their career the band has blended folklore music with metal elements. In its lyrics and in musical composition, the band uses national folk musical instruments, such as the komuz and kyl-kyak, and references shamanism and Tengrism. The band also takes influence from genres such as progressive rock and post-rock, generally constructing lengthy, rhythmically complex songs that often feature several discrete movements.

Psilocybe Larvae is a Russian melodic death metal metal band based in Saint Petersburg. It was formed in 1996 at Vyborg. The band was led by Vitaly Belobritsky but the band has gone through various changes since it was formed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Netherbird</span> Swedish black metal band

Netherbird is a Swedish metal band from Stockholm. Their signature sound is heavily influenced by the early 1990s Scandinavian black and death metal, as well as elements of doom, gothic and heavy metal present.

References

  1. Концерты (in Russian). alkonost.ru. Archived from the original on 20 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-05.
  2. Алконост: чехо-словацкий тур (in Russian). chelnyltd.ru/. 2007-11-06. Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved 2008-02-05.