ADifferentShadeOfBlackMetalZine: Shturm Interview

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Shturm Interview

1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

Hi, there! I sing and play guitar in Shturm! Currently music label Darknagar records has just published our album Karmaruna! We made two music videos for the songs from this album and one of the videos is already on the internet. Our next plans are to make EP, gigs and recording of a new album!
2. How would you describe the musical sound of the newer album and how it differs from the older recordings?

The sound we worked out in Karmaruna is essentially different from the works we did in the past and even from the sound of many bands which you may now listen on the internet. At the very beginning we wanted our new album to have a cold and mighty sound, but at the same time the sound which resembles the bands of 80-s and we finally managed to work it out and we proud of it! Our past records are more up-to-date – they have drive, but doesn`t have an identity!
3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new release?

The ponderous part of the lyrics is based on the ideas of the world around us, summed up under the influence of Tibetan Philosophy. The new material also has the lyrics inspired by our country`s past, some personal experience and everyday pleasances.
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?
The name of the bans reproduces the way the word “storm” sounds in Russian! So just the might of a storm, the rush of a hurricane are the things inspired us to call the band this way! A man is weak-handed before these mightiest acts of nature, so is there anything tougher?)))

5. What are some of the best that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?

I would say that our gigs are always hard, fast and loud!!! Mostly every crowd we played for welcomes us well and we just can`t play elsewise! So a gig of Shturm is always something we do at the breaking point!!! In the past we had more black metal appearance: spikes, leather, corpse paint, but in the course of time these things remained in the past and now our appearance is not so frightful and this force us to play better to not disappoint our fans.
6. Do you have any touring plans for the new release?

Yes, certainly, this summer we are going to make several gigs supporting our Brazilian and Norwegian friends UNEARTHLY and THYRUZ , where we will play songs of Karmaruna! I think that the tour is going to be the most impressing of all those we did!
7. Currently you are signed to Darknagar Records how did you get in contact with this label and how would you describe the support that they have given you so far?

Our band manager Alexander Ermakov found the label Darknagar. We have no doubts of his choice and, I must say, we don`t regret! The label is young, but very ambitious and the management of the label really care about the bands it publish! Here is more of enthusiasm and desire to promote the bands than the music business itself and that`s the most important thing, because it defuses money, prestige and relations! So, that`s why we are with Darknagar now!
8. On a worldwide level how has your music been recieved by fans of extreme metal?

We received more and more good comments on our new album Karmaruna! We sometimes receive some ambiguous comments as the style of the album is quite indistinct! But the most important thing is the album doesn`t come inconspicuous!
9. Are there any other projects besides this band or is this a full time line-up?

Now Shturm is the basic project for each of us! But not long ago our drummer Petreno and bass guitarist Kane had their own band where they choogled earnestly complex death metal!
10. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

It’s hard to say like what exactly it is going to be, but soon we will be in our rehearsal room to write the material for upcoming EP, and we have no any fixed ideas, we just will be jamming and trying some new things! The style we were mixing are death, black, thrash and heavy, now we are still going to keep this direction and broaden the limits of our music! I think that we will manage to work out of it something interesting! But there`s the one thing I must promise – it still be as hard, fast and unique as it was earlier!
11. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

I was influenced mostly by the old wave bands like Iron Maiden, Metallica, Megadeath, also I was inspired by death and black metal! Now I began listening to the bands I was fond of in my childhood, but also I have interest towards some new bands, for example Trivium.
12. How would you describe your views on Tibetan Mythology and Buddhism?
Tibetan Buddhism has seriously influenced our works. Tibetan mythology and culture has a bit lesser influence on us. This theme is very interesting for us and especially for Omuth as when he wrote his lyrics, he wagered basically on the concepts of Tibetan Buddhism, on the interpretation of simple things which are familiar to everyone but through such perspective. But still, Karmaruna unlike Kalahia, is ideologically a symbiosis of our personal experience, remebrances and thoughts on the one hand and inspired by the philosophy of Buddhism on the other.
13. Outside of music what are some of your interests?

Each of us has his own interests outside of music. I fond of the history of the Second World War, I like collecting the things of those times, combat equipment and awards! Omuth, the guitarist, pays attention to the wildlife protection, he has his own website through which he fights with the injustice towards the wildlife and animals. Bass guitarist Kane is keen on thai boxing and its more than just a hobby for him! Drummer Petreno loves bicycling and sport bikes! Also the majority of us like to pass the time in a noisy crew, drinking some hard drinks)
14. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Thanks for an interesting interview and for everything you do to metal scene! I wish good luck and health to everyone who reads this lines! Just keep on listening to metal and Shturm! Follow our news!!!!
Heavy!