Few
years ago Moscow-based band Without God has shown us how it could be
if you try to mix angry Crowbar-like doom with sound of Paradise Lost
and few bottles of vodka for their debut record "Lambs to the
Slaughter" was something astonishing. Band gathered strength for
about three years and last autumn they've returned to listeners with
their new grand work "Circus of Freaks" demonstrating to us
their improved skills through strong, catchy and uncompromising heavy
stoner doom. They've became stronger. They've became angrier. Yet
they remain ingenious
and satirical. Do you feel the smell of filings? Do you hear that
insane laugh? Only tonight! On this arena! Without any insurance!
Circus of Freaks is unleashed with Anton (vocals, guitars) and Fyodor
(bass).
Salute,
men! My congratulations – with groaning and teeth gritting Without
God finally brought into the world their second LongPlay “Circus of
Freaks”. What kind of surprises do you have for listeners this
time?
Anton:
Hello! First, I'd like to introduce our new bass-player Fyodor, with
whom I will answer questions.
Thank
you for congratulations. “Circus of Freaks” took a really lot of
time. There was plenty of reasons for this: family, work, etc. But
finally we’ve done it. Folks, who liked "Lambs to the
Slaughter" will find out some kind of evolution of our music
ideas on new record “Circus of Freaks” - maybe corrected a bit.
We have tried to put as much memorable melodies and riffs as we can.
That’s the evolution is. Was it worth all efforts – it is for
listeners to judge. As for me, second album is a logical continuation
and development of the first one, and we're still that good old
“Without God”.
Fyodor:
There is also a change in sound considering composing and style. I
am, for example, not a fan of true-black-metal on audio-cassette, so
I think Without God evolved in a way of “sound”. All instruments
are sound clearly in a mix, nothing interrupts with vocals, and yet
it all sounds very solid.
Perhaps,
I agree on that. “Circus of Freaks” sounds not only
clearer and sharper than “Lambs to the Slaughter”,
I'd say songs are somehow more elaborate and mature. Do you feel
development of your composing skills?
Anton:
Yes and no. It became harder to write new songs, definitely. There
are almost twenty incomplete and even fully-done tracks, that were
about to appear on second LP, are forever buried on my laptop. And
that's for good.
Fyodor:
And it's sad to admit how much drone-stuff goes to waste every
rehearsal session...
Album
cover and title, first song of your new LP shares the same idea.
What's so attractive in this crazy “circus” surrounding us every
day, given the fact that so many people closed their eyes on it?
Anton:
Semantic load of it came from the world around. We used to take ideas
for our songs from a real world, and, as you can see, it is a damned
circus. And this circus seems to be never-ending. Take a look into
the history – there were so many ugly clowns, so many fanatics, and
how they were poisoning others lives. Take a look around in our days
– you'll see nearly the same shit despite technological progress,
rise of civilization and postindustrial society. I doubt it will
change in foreseeable future, and it's very sad.
Without
God “Circus of Freaks”
Two
strongest tracks from this album (“Mushroom Man” and
“Good Evil”) were released as digital single in January
2013. Why the hell you have thrown this ace in a hole? How it could
help to the band? Was it such a good promo?
Anton:
Very easy. We had only a half of material for album done in January
2013, and these two things were already recorded in good quality. So
we decided to make some kind of a new year present for our fans,
especially for those, who are far from Moscow region, to which we
were bound at that moment. Yes, it was not the smartest move, but
still some new folks came to listen to our music, were interested in
our first LP, and someone even came to gig to hear just
"Mushroom Man".
Fyodor:
Objection! My favorite track is “Flood”. Otherwise, album is very
versatile, so I can't mark any track as a “hit” or something.
People who love old Without God and Paradise Lost will definitely
love “Seven Sins”. It's kind of oldie, something from early 90-s.
And guys, who love stoner-doom, of course, will appreciate “Mushroom
Man”. I even heard crowd singing along this song during gig.
“Mushroom Man”
(which is dedicated to the leader of the
Russian revolution of 1917
V.I. Lenin) with no doubt, is a strong song, but why have you turned
to such a twisted interpretation, Lenin’s image? Don't you think
that this symbol of a long-gone era can spoil your reputation?
Anton:
Actually I loved words "I am the mushroom man",
which sends us not to Russian musician and experimentalist
Koorekheen, but to American band called Kettle Cadaver and their
song "Pumpkin Man". Video on that song made an imprint
on my mind a long time ago. Koorekheen’s hypothesis of
lenin-mushroom dualism came a some later with next lines in clouds of
smoke, and then it was embodied in lyrics. I can't say if it had
spoiled my reputation, but at least it was funny.
And
about symbols... I will not say names, but I saw personally, that on
some forum you commended one Russian band (that I think is just
middling) for having metaphysical fat and drive as they play really
mediocre stuff with a lot of cliches. What do you, a man with
creative approach on composing, think about imitating worn out doom
rock-cliches? Witch, bong, satan, witch, swamp...
Anton:
Don't know what band you're talking about, I commended many Russian
bands on many forums, and many of them align with western bands (and
we are too, to be honest). Perhaps I liked their music despite of, as
you said, middling. For example the band Goya sounds like Electric
Wizard, they are just nearly the same, but their first LP is far
better than last Electric Wizard work. Electric Wizard turned from
wizards to pity charlatans, who exploit their own 10-year old ideas.
And
yes, I have a prepossession to Russian doom-scene. I mean I like it.
Well,
I did not dragged it out of you – name some bands, that you think
are really good.
Anton:
Two examples straight off. Pyre
from Saint Petersburg – nothing new, but awesome. True unbridled
sweden-style death-metal from the 80's Even their records sound like
they were made in 1987. Their live performance is literally a
hurricane. Continuing with death-metal I can not to mention honored
Moscow band Grond.
Their last creation is almost the best music for any
old-school-death-metal fan. A while ago I listened to new Moscow band
Illegal Ones.
They have no recordings yet; they play canonical sludge-doom with
very heavy and beefy sound. Hope we'll have a pleasure to see them
release their music.
Fyodor:
Lol. More than a half of music on my player is Russian underground
music. Recently I began to listen to math-rock. In Russia we have
many bands, which represent this genre. Kawry's
Whisper in Saint Petersburg, Jaunt
and Weary Eyes
in Moscow, Four Vicious Walls
and Daeva
in Moscow region. It's just one genre. About “post-” music, to
which I dedicated largest part of my quasi-musical life, I can talk
for hours.
What
can you say about modern Russian sludge/doom scene? What have changed
since you presented “Lambs to the Slaughter”?
Anton:
Something have changed and something do not. Sludge/doom and
stoner/doom still aren't popular, and live performances are visited
only by most dedicated listeners (usually you won't see more than one
hundred people). Less trend-guys, who changed their truckers for
beards and plaid shirts without delving into essence of it. Names
slightly changed: some bands are now disbanded, some in vague state,
new ones appeared. At least, scene exists; six years ago there was no
sludge/doom scene in Russia at all.
First
Without God album “Lambs to the Slaughter” was released on
R.A.I.G. label, which is west-oriented. Were there any profits of it?
Any feedback from western listeners, maybe?
Anton:
Undoubtedly we have some feedback due to R.A.I.G. promo work. We have
some likes on our Facebook page, LastFM stats tell us that our
listeners are not only from Russia and Ukraine, people ask us for
merch, CDs and tours. I guess our fame in foreign countries is the
same as in Russia thanks to cooperation with RAIG.
Let's
combine previous question with one about early release of “Mushroom
Man” single. Did you ever thought about recording a split-album
with some western band? Imagine, that you have composed and recorded
couple of good songs, why not to cooperate with some stylistically
related musicians? Promoting your band in other countries is always
an advantage. With whom you would like to make such split-record?
Anton:
I was thinking about it. But, to be honest, I don't really watch
foreign scene, to name someone, with whom I'd like to record a
split-album. It needs some preparations, if you know what I mean, to
sit and to listen to new music.
“Circus
of Freaks” was released by famous
Solitude Productions. What are your expectations of this cooperation
and what your band bought on the fee, that you have received?
Anton:
At first we wanted to release “Circus of Freaks” on R.A.I.G, but
during negotiations we decided not to do it. R.A.I.G. audience is not
actually “our” audience. Solitude Productions is a label, that
specializes mostly on doom, and it's audience is our potential fans.
And soon, I hope, they are going to be our real fans. Considering
received fee, we bought wooden pan and inflatable bicycle for our
live performances.
There's
a song called “Helter Skelter” on the album. Is it about
Charles Manson?
Anton:
Yep, it's about him. To be correct, the song is a description of
bloody events. Some kind of musical horror sending regards to
Church Of Misery.
Okay,
I can understand Church Of Misery – they haven’t ever
had much imagination and songs about maniacs became their hallmark.
But what made you to take this step? What's so attractive with Manson
that he deserves to be mentioned in another song?
Anton:
Song appeared by itself, after I had read a history of Manson's life.
Words formed the ominous lines, ominous lines became a description of
that night on Cielo Drive. And, finally, a call to bloody madness
from Mr. Manson himself. A grim story without conclusion.
In
the end I'd like to ask you a topical question: in spring 2014 live
performances of Behemoth were prohibited in Russia, then the same
shit happened to Cannibal Corpse. What do you think guided the
authors of such initiatives? Maybe they were thinking, that these
prohibitions will somehow aid economics, agriculture and morals in
Russia?
Anton:
You are provoking me. Okay, I will tell you what I think about all
that shit. As for me it seems that final goal of these prohibitions
is PR and, in the end, enrichment of some people, whether it is
religious organization itself, or people “behind” them. It seems
they cannot make a profit from protest against abortion, because no
one actually cares, and from protest against gay-parades too, because
it is already too many organizations fighting against it.
Fyodor:
Oh, the question "qui prodest?" Indeed, things are becoming
interesting when you're trying to find an answer. In Russia there are
many musicians and bands inspired by satanism or occultism. Not the
less bands, which demonstrates anticlerical attitude (no allusions,
of course). And it's not that hard to find these musicians, yet above
mentioned religious organizations are not interested in to brand some
unknown bands. I think, that the reason for this is complete lack of
PR-effect, to prohibit gig of famous metal band is better for
self-PR.
Enough
for today, I think. Thank you for your answers. I wish you good luck
– take care. Godspeed on you!
Anton:
God bless you all!
Without
God “Mushroom Man”
Words
by Aleks Evdokimov
