01) TELL US ABOUT THE BEGINNING OF DRAKON?
The DRAKON band was founded in 2017 in November. Then by the efforts of 2 musicians me Veleyar and Terror was released the first release under the uncomplicated name "First".
After the release I split off from that former DRAKON that represented Terror and went silent for 5 years. During that time Terror released the EP Last Battle of Angels. I can't comment on it, because it's just music without lyrics. I don't understand something like that.
Then in 2021, DRAKON gets a new round of development and awakens.
02) WHAT IS THE FEELING FOR THE CHOICE OF NAME ¨DRAKON ¨?
The name of the band is very simple and understandable. At the same time it has its own special meaning. The meaning is that the DRAKON as a creature represents a symbol of wisdom, longevity, and at the same time, a giant destructive energy, which originates from the Primordial Chaos. Also the DRAKON is a kind of protective symbol. This is the whole essence of the name.
I have seen in the online space that a small percentage make fun of our name, but it does not bother me one bit. There are reasons for this and I have described them above. It makes sense, it's not just a form without content.
I could have renamed the band after the breakup of the original lineup, but I didn't. Since I am, after all, the founder of the band and I decide at what point DRAKON can cease to exist. Let's say DRAKON has not yet shown its potential to the extent it was meant to when it was born.
03) HOW YOU DEFINE YOUR MUSIC?
We define our music as pagan black metal. At the same time in the music itself there are influences of both black and death components. And in the future new full-length album there are also some doom influences.
04) HOW' S THE ACTUAL LINE UP?
Our current band lineup is as follows:
Veleyar - guitars
Demethr Grail - vocals/lyrics
Vladimir Kalmazan - bass
About the drummer, Semyon Unholy Father Luzin recorded two albums for us. And now we have a live drummer, we'll introduce him later!
05) WHO WRITES THE MUSIC? AND LYRICS? AND WHERE DO THE LYRIC IDEAS COME FROM?
All the music is composed by me, and Demeter writes the lyrics for the songs.
Demeter: I write all the lyrics. It is in Drakon's touches based on the Russian Rodnoverie pagan tradition, its light and dark sides. The new album, which we are now recording - in general, will be a conceptual work, about Ragnarok from the Slavic mythological position. All ideas are taken exclusively from my head, from my personal philosophy, formed by years of my own thought-fabrication.
06) WHAT MERCHANDISE DO YOU STILL HAVE AVAILABLE?
Now available for sale are the full-length album “Awakening” and the EP “High Tales”. As well as T-shirts dedicated to the release of these albums. Everything is available here: https://drakonblackmetal.bandcamp.com/
07) TELL US ABOUT ALL DRAKON RELEASES?
First is the very first release released in 2017. It is a "test of the pen", a test of skills, an introduction to the world
Awakening is a more meaningful and mature creation, released in 2021. The album is thematically dedicated to the Spiritual Revival of Man and our Motherland, through the prism of worship to the Forces of Nature.
High Tales is a mini album dedicated to the approaching end of the world. And this album is also a prologue to the next full-length album, which is already being finished!
08) DID YOU HAVE PLAYED MANY GIGS?
We haven't had any concerts yet. But we recently put together a full concert lineup. And we start rehearsing on July 1. The first concert is planned in November at one of the festivals in St. Petersburg!
09) WHAT'S THE BLACK METAL FOR YOU?
Black Metal for me is something sacred and spiritual. It's more about content than form. And it's not even about the music. It's more about the idea and the message you're sending. Black metal can exist without music in the form of words, but black metal can't just be music. It's a hymn of spirit, of human greatness, freedom, connection with nature and Gods!
10) HOW'S THE RUSSIAN BLACK METAL SCENE?
Black Metal is gaining a lot of momentum in Russia. At the same time with it there are many worthy groups which create not from the prompts of fashionable tendencies!
Of those that are on my ears - Templum Anima Morti, First Martyr, Temple of Nihil, Merknet, Vspolokh, Varhorn.
Of the better known Grima, Second to Sun, Ultar. These guys have been abroad on more than one tour.
11) TELL US MORE ABOUT EP : HIGH TALES?
Our new mini-work "High Tales" is a lyrically connected concept without plot (which is also connected to the next full-length album), where even the covers of two Scandinavian bands, seemingly thematically distant from each other, are specially woven by us into the general eschatological contour of the whole material.
Through reflections on our people's place in the Universe, our destiny and role in the world, we tell you in our new songs the parable of the impending End of the World, Ragnarok/Armageddon, the destruction or rebirth of all life, while warning you that this outcome is the destiny of our human race and an irreversible inevitability.
We must fight, fight and, if necessary, die, but proudly, with honor, as gods and true warriors. And best of all, to survive, at the cost of much, but to purify ourselves from the filth of the passing circle of time and become stronger, wiser, and brighter.
12) WHAT'RE YOU FUTURE PLANS?
From July through November, we prepare for the band's first live performance. Now we are finishing the next full-length album and plan to release it next year. Until the moment of the new album release we will present one single dedicated to the memory of Vladimir Povetkin, the man who reconstructed such an authentic musical instrument as gusli! And we will also release a very interesting cover!
13) THANKS FOR THE INTERVIEW. ANY LAST COMMENTS?
Thank you too! The darker the night, the closer the dawn!
