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?
Greetings! We do not stand still. During our absence on the stage, we have accumulated a large number of new ideas and musical material. Therefore, the immediate future life of the group will be devoted to the implementation of new thematic albums. Album Once Again is timed to the fact of the reincarnation of our group and its awakening from a long lethargic sleep. We can say that our first album after a long lull is a prologue to the following main elements. He is very emotional and sincere, because it reflects our own life and worldview. Thus, the work burns, soon we will publish material on the work on the new album.
2.In December you had also released a new album, musically how does it differ from the stuff that you have released in the past?
Once Again, a deeper, we can say Philosophy album. There are a lot of our personal experiences and reflections on it. Plus, we touched on the subject of the ancient civilization of the Gods - Hyperborea. In the texts there are hints of the extraterrestrial origin of our ancestors:
«Behind the sunlight beyond a white river
Is our stellar cradle».
Similar parallels can be found, for example, in the lyrics of the song - On Fiery Simargl's Wings, etc.
Musically, we have become more thoughtful about both music and its production, and, of course, the performance skills and the number of techniques used in the process of arrangements have increased. But, as on the previous albums, the most important component of our creativity are gorgeous melodies and music in general. Now we are ready to present our unique style to the listener. Pagan Reign is not to be confused with anyone.
3.This is also your first full length since 2006, how do you feel both the pagan and folk metal scenes have evolved during that time frame?
Pagan - folk metal scene for our absence has expanded quite significantly, we can say that it has become a definite trend, but the development has gone towards alleviating the overall sound and primitivization of the melodic component, along with the frequent attribute in the form of a female front singer or alcoholic theme of the lyrics of songs. At the same time, the expansion of the pagan folk metal geography is pleasantly surprising.
One of the reasons for our return to creativity was the surprising fact that since the release of our last album for 2006 (Твердь / Ancient Fortress), no one has ever released anything like it.
4.Your lyrics deal very heavily with Slavic Paganism, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic and also do you have an interest in the other forms of Paganism form different countries and cultures?
Yes, paganism is our worldview, however, we are looking at this topic much more broadly than the desire to "dance around" wooden idols. For us, this is a system of traditional values inherited from our ancestors, thanks to which we have clear guidelines on life. In this regard, we are not opposed to technical progress and do not support people calling for everything to be destroyed and leaving to live in the forest with primitive tools. We are more likely cosmists, and we see the future in man’s knowledge of the universe and its endless spaces in every sense of the word. And we respect the cultural heritage of other nations, especially the Indo-European family, which is common to us. And it is quite natural for a Slav, being, for example, a guest on the lands of Scandinavia, to raise his horn to the glory of Odin.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Pagan Reign'?
This name speaks for itself and reflects our concept both ideologically and musically. This is the dominance of the traditions of the ancestors and our desire to show the triumph and beauty of the ancient heritage.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the album cover?
Each element has its own global meaning. If you look at the center of the illustration, you can see the cut of a hazel nut with annual rings. This is the story of the life of Pagan Reign and creativity in general. We have stood the test of time and are ready for rebirth and transformation into something perfect. It is also a reflection of the Tree of Life of the Universe. Sawdust can be seen at the bottom of the illustration, it is a symbol of the fact that over the years we have rejected the husk and created something really valuable and important. The gusli (psaltery) with sounding strings reflect our attitude to the musical traditions of the ancient Slavs (by the way, the gusli made Orey with their own hands). The strings go up and dissolve in cosmic stellar space. Thus, music is the language of our communication with the Archetypes and the Universe. This is magic and a tool for changing the surrounding reality.
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?
Our concerts are always held in close dialogue with people who came to listen to us. Therefore, on all shows, we always give all the best and get a huge return. But, despite our rather wide creative arsenal, we always treated the concerts calmly and focused on writing new music. Therefore, new live concerts will begin only after we embody at least half of the musical material that has accumulated during our reincarnation.
8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
Yes, such plans exist, but only after the recording and implementation of the next album in 2019.
9.The new album was released on 'Yarko Music Production', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
This is an independent label founded by us together with the group Tverd and currently specializes only in publishing albums and the merch of our formations.
10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your newer music by fans of folk, pagan and black metal?
Our fans reacted with great joy, and overwhelmingly accepted the new material very well. Some noted that the new album is the most melodious and emotional in the history of the group. Although, how could it be otherwise, if it is a reflection of our personal experiences and euphoria from the realization that we have revived after so many years? The next album will carry a different thematic and emotional charge, respectively, and the music will be different. It will be a real blow of the Slavic Gods. Now our resources and capabilities have increased: we have our own sound and video production, and we are ready to delight our listeners with high-quality music more and faster.
11.Are any of the band members involved with 'Твердь' these days?
Yes, all members of Pagan Reign are the core of the Tverd. We can say that Tverd took over the baton from Pagan Reign for the period of freezing.
Tverd (Твердь) is our side project, which is dedicated to the history of ancient Rus’.
12.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
At the moment, the main goal is the realization of musical material and the promotion of our music, the creation of video material. In the long run, these are live performances, primarily in Russia and Europe, Japan and North America in the future.
13.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
If you take the Metal in general, it is bands like Carcass, Death, Immortal, In Flames (1994, 1996), Amorphis (1994), Bal-Sagoth, etc. Slavic bands - Nocturnal Mortum and Gods Tower. If you take music as a whole, it’s Russian composers of the «Могучая Кучка» times (The Five, also known as the Mighty Handful and the New Russian School) - Alexander Borodin, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and his follower Alexander Glazunov and others. As well as old folk music and traditions of Russian choral polyphonic singing.
14.What are some of your non musical interests?
What is unique to the metal scene in general is that Vetrodar and Orey are medical doctors! ;)
In general, it is history, nature, science, fantastic works of art.
15.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thank you for your interest in our art.
Stay Pagan! Слава Богам!
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