Answer: Dmitry (vocals, horns), Ivan (drums), Yuri (vocals, bass), Alexander (keyboards, accordion)
1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
Dmitry: After the release of the album several concerts in Moscow were played to support it. We also recorded a new song "Sumetskaya" based on an old Russian folk tune for a fight, and made live video for this song. We are going to present them in the near future. At the moment, we took a long pause to determine the further development of the concept and vector group.
2.Recently you have released a new album can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction of the new recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
Ivan: we approached more responsibly to the record of a new album with a sound concept of music and visual album design. The first album is good in his own, but due to lack of experience, many errors were made during the recording process we tried to avoid on the new album. Music is fundamentally different, which is understandable since there were important changes in the band: in fact, composers were changed. New members added the diversity of folk instruments.
Alexander: and technically the group does not stand still. We wanted to play harder and more varied, while retaining the folk component, which is eventually happened. Besides lyrics also undergone a change in the direction of greater linearity and stiffness corresponding to modern realities. Everybody went all out and that is happened - the best at the moment that our group can offer.
3.In the beginning the band played in a more power metal direction, what was the decision behind going into a more heavier and darker direction?
Yuri: It was a natural desire of participants, which just went from the inside. Times change - changing ourselves. Events around us getting tougher and we react to them through our songs. Besides striving to give people a boost to opposition negative factors around us, and more hard music contributes a much better motivation!
Alexander: Probably heavy hammer of the current sound is better able to reach the minds and destroy the gate of indifference inhabitant than the previous chaotic whistling in the air power metal sword.
4.While there where a few demos released in the early 2000's the band waited until 2011 to put out their first album, can you tell us a little bit more about the gap between releases?
Ivan: As often happens - the young guys get together, with the idea to play a definite music, creativity abounds, but the case itself, which for some then becomes a matter of life, not yet filled with that sense and awareness that appear later with experience. Parties are formed around, people come and go and everything is fun. In such circumstances demo are being written, creating something which happens naturally, and the recording quality in mind - this is not working as recording full-length album. And then serious changes begin, time shows - what is the most important for someone. In our case, the whole complex of these problems is the reason of a temporary abyss. In fact, the tracks presented on "Dawn of Svarog" were written by different people of the first casts started recording the album some, already finished the others. In any case, the first release - it's important theme for us - we summed up the first step of forming a "Bastion" and paid tribute to the first participants who have at one time a huge contribution to the team.
5.The lyrics cover Slavic Paganism themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?
Yuri: Actually it is not only about paganism. For us paganism - is primarily one of the pages in the history of our nation, undeservedly forgotten and rejected by modernity.
Alexander: This topic is, unfortunately, almost no coverage in the official history, though an integral and a very large part of it. This is done on purpose, because the modern religious system which promotes slavery, humility and non-countering to all the negative that we have now is beneficial to the state. While Slavic paganism promotes freedom and harmony with the environment, which is lacking in modern humanity.
Ivan: All this talks and debates about the validity of certain beliefs already pretty bored. I personally absolutely non-religious person. Paganism for me is a way of learning about the world, do not allow limitations. As a creative person, I want to breathe and absorb everything that gives us around the world - with its light and dark sides. Everything is subject to a single space, and feel one with it - that is my spiritual path. Everything else - the profanity and fictions of people wanting to subdue the crowd. If we talk about the topic of paganism in the works "Bastion", it gives us a basis for a deeper dive into a folk soul, not yet tainted by foreign elements, true love for our fatherland and unbreakable bond with her.
6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Bastion'?
Ivan: It's actually quite banal. Title was invented in the beginning and did not change. And then it was important to pick up a resounding suitable word for executable music (power metal). Looked everywhere, thought, discuss different options were ... until at one point in a dictionary, it has caught the eye of "Bastion". We decided that it is well suited for it and stopped. Surprisingly, until now, given all the changes in our sound and style - it does not lose relevance. "Bastion" as used to stand, despite all external attacks, and will stand on its promise and carry listeners.
Yuri: "Bastion" is a serf fortification. That's you will not pass by our group so easily and not overcome hurriedly. In addition, as it is a defensive structure, as we stand on guard for our traditions and history.
7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Dmitry: For me, the best concerts were in Minsk (Belarus) in 2011, the same year in St. Petersburg, together with Skyforger and the presentation of the new album in Moscow in February 2014. Our performance was described once the publication Casus Belli Zine as "Krasnoznamensk’s ruffians " (we are from a town called Krasnoznamensk). This definition accurately describes our behavior on stage: unbridled energy and conduct, which gets all the spectators and puts in a slam and mosh. We behave on stage completely uncharacteristic of typical pagan metallers. It is worth a look!
8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
Dmitry: No plans for performances, because, frankly, no one is calling us to play)). And especially not arranges tours. Promote our own music as we can.
9.The new album was released on Der Schwarze Tod, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
Ivan: Der Schwarz Tod - this label of Nebokray’s (Небокрай) vocalist, whose participants are also some people from "Bastion." Our first release, by the way, also came out with the help of this label. At this stage, we are completely satisfied with the cooperation with them, label does not stand still, builds momentum, increasing the number of released versions, well, then we all communicate closely, so we do everything together (for details on the release and distribution of Der Schwarz Tod you can learn here - https://www.facebook.com/DerSchwarzeTod).
10.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your newer music by fans of underground, extreme, pagan and folk metal?
Dmitry: At the international level only positive feedback there are. And ordinary listeners and music critics have praised our effort and work.
5 \ 5 from Dark City magazine (leading magazine about heavy music in Russia)
11.Are any of the band members involved with any other musical projects these days?
Dmitry: Guitarist Konstantin involved in the group Lepta (Лепъта) and has recently been helping our friends from the group Krada (Krada). Ivan and Yuri are permanent band members Nebokraj, just as I wrote Flute for Nebokraj on a new mini-album. Personally, I'm studying ancient Russian traditional music and have a project under this "Kudeyar» (Кудеяр).
Ivan: Just trying to help our friends and colleagues on the stage - this notorious group Temnozor, Krada Moscow, there was collaboration with a group of Wolf Cross and other groups.
12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Yuri: First of all of course it is the traditional Russian folk music and our folklore in general. Then folk metal and black metal. Not without modern alternatives (hardcore, rapcore). I always like listening to The Exploited and Oi, RAC, melodic death, pagan metal.
Ivan: I've been listening to different music at different stages of my life, so that all affected little. Recently returned to the nu-metal and alternative - Limp Bizkit, Korn, Soulfly ... Before this was mostly hardcore. Quoted old Black Sabbath - the greatest band of all time! At one time the strongest influence was the Norwegian black metal - in the face of all known, the brightest of its representatives. If we talk about the lighter characters, the Iron Maiden - always on my top list! Guys from Manowar - just to display .. always appreciated the music drive and some wildness or atmospherics and some detachment. Here it all and entwined.
Alexander: Everything, classic rock, pumping heavy music, all that helps to push, tug, squat and run.
Dmitry: First, there was punk rock, then grew up on classic heavy metal, then symphonic black metal, nu-metal, alternative, hard core. Now I listen to any good music, be it pop, elektro, rap or metal. I generally like music as itself and no matter what style it is. Among the groups in my track sheet are always 3 Doors Down, Limp Bizkit, Chimaira, Nickelback, Drowning Pool, Hatebreed, Deftones, Dry Kill Logic, Creed, Devildriver, Deadlock, Lamb of God. Lately listening downtempo, melodic drum'n'bass, embient, and of course the Russian ethnographic folklore.
13.What are some of your non musical interests?
Ivan: Besides music, are actively engaged in sport - gym, martial arts, boxing, football. Participate in mass jogging and other sports promotions aimed at the proper development of young people. Interested in car and motorcycle industry. Course literature - both classical art and popular science, mostly historical. Just interested in the issues of doing business in the Russian complex realities. Besides all this, everyone has a basic work, half of a group have family with young children - so do not have to miss.
Alexander: HLS (healthy lifestyle): rocking, girls, bike, skiing. J
Yuri: I think the consensus is said rocking. With regard to myself, rocking, history of his native country, its peoples, politics. About family and parenting does not say that because even though it takes the lion's share of the time, it can not be called hobby. This is the fucking life!)
Dmitry: each participant involved in sports, as possible participate in public life. I love an active lifestyle, cars and motorcycles, guns, outdoor recreation, longer hikes, literature, in general, all that fills life with colors and what you feel truly alive.
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Ivan: Thank you for your interesting questions and interest in our creativity! Do not forget your roots, fully develop, get better every day and then do not have to complain about the negativity around - create your own reality!
Yuri: Keep yourself healthy, get exercise and learn the history of your country. All that you need to raise a healthy generation. Be patriots of your fatherland.
Alexander: Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth!
Dmitry: Thank you for showing interest in us and really interesting questions. Salute Portugal from Russia. Listen to our music and watch the news on the official pages:
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