Rigorism
Arcana Noctis: Greetings Lev! You're something of a veteran of the Russian Death Metal scene; please give the readers a quick introduction to yourself and Rigorism.
Lev: I do not feel I am a veteran (though probably I really the veteran). Rigorism was formed up as a studio project, so we did not plan any live performances. Actually it was me who decided to start Rigorism. After 4 instrumental tracks were recorded I asked Roman (the vocalist of Barbarity) to help me. So we tried and now the second album is recorded.
Arcana Noctis: It's been about 10 years since Extinction split up, so what made you wish to return to making Death Metal after all these years? How has the underground changed, and what do you think of today's bands?
Lev: After I left Extinction the band existed for some time. I had a wish to play and compose music but I recorded if for myself more than for others. So there was no long break in my playing music. They were not worth while. First the sound of extreme music changed, it became more powerful and clear. Many styles and sub styles appeared. Many sub styles are called "Metal" though it is difficult to call them so. Death Metal is out of fashion though. I think it did it good. People who like Death Metal play it, people who just want to follow the fashion don't.
Arcana Noctis: Was forming Rigorism a definite "plan" or was its inception more accidental?
Lev: It was to a certain extent accidental. It all began when I got acquainted with Roman. I cannot growl and there are not many people who can growl so powerfully as Roman.
Arcana Noctis: Your music has a definite soundtrack feel to it. Are these an influence and which are your favourite?
Lev: There might be some influence though, but I have no idea which! We try to avoid any influence. Though it is hard to create something of your own... nearly impossible. And it is hard to avoid comparisons. I am fond of films dealing with history and do not have any favourite music or something else. I like different music if it is interesting and of good quality.
Arcana Noctis: "Human Fear" was recorded at your home studio, which is significant in the fact that the sound is so clear, balanced and heavy; it doesn't sound "home made" at all! Is the recording to your satisfaction, and tell us the advantages of a home studio, compared to the "traditional" methods of recording.
Lev: We were satisfied with the quality of the album but we found some shortcomings (after several hundred listenings). The only advantage of home studio is no time limits. Yet it is not the main reason why I prefer home studio. I am also interested in sound experiment. If I were sure that somebody could record better for a reasonable price I would prefer professional studio. Now it is possible to style something of expensive studio hardware for programs. Only the sound of tube distortion seems to be unique. I hope a good quality recording will not be a problem in the nearest future.
Arcana Noctis: If you could associate Rigorism with any one horror writer, who would it be (for example, I would associate Morbid Angel with Lovecraft)?
Lev: It is difficult to say... I read a lot; I prefer books dealing with WWII, not paying much attention to the names of the authors. And music as I understand should create some images in a listener's mind.
Arcana Noctis: Your vocalist Roman creates an astonishing performance on "Human Fear". Normally, I wouldn't have thought that such an extreme vocal style would suit your music, but it seems to work perfectly. Do you agree?
Lev: Yes, the vocal parts are excellent. I think Roman's growling is necessary. Black and white... The kindness and evil... One cannot exist without the other and perfect harmony is when they both exist. But why am I trying to be clever? I just know from the very start that I need growling for my music. It is quite difficult to explain; I thought of the whole and did not pay much attention to the details.
Arcana Noctis: The cover is almost like a child's interpretation of fear... Do you think that children are more in touch with this primitive feeling than adults, or is it just their over-active imagination?
Lev: To my mind, child's fear differs much from adult's fear. Sometimes adult can be scared of something even more than a child. One can interpret our CD cover literally. Perhaps, that was not right and we should have made a hint. We did not force our ideas upon the artist, we just asked him to do everything the way he understands it should be.
Arcana Noctis: By the looks of it, you used the same artist as Barbarity. Any particular reason for this?
Lev: It is simple; we did not know any other artists who could do the cover. The second album cover is made another artist. It might be strange but it is a girl. I hope she will do her best. To tell the truth, I do not pay much attention to a CD cover or bands image. I care of the music only.
Arcana Noctis: The lyrics are unfortunately not printed in the CD booklet... Some of the titles are quite unusual for a Death Metal band, such as "Some Words About Love"... Can you give us an insight into Rigorism's lyrical themes?
Lev: It is not only the titles but lyrics on the whole is quite unusual for a Metal band. We mock at traditional Metal lyrics in every song. For example, "My Heart" is about a man with a coal heart. So it can be used as fuel. And you might think that this song is about love. Vocal parts in Death Metal seem to be an instrument for music composing live guitar or bass. I don't think people treat "Metal" lyrics seriously. The same thing about our "Some Words About Love" or "My Heart".
Arcana Noctis: So, the follow up to "Human Fear" has been recorded and it's name is "Cold and Pain". I've listened to the mp3's on your website and I can say that it's a lot heavier yet the horror/atmospheric element is even more prevalent than on the debut... It's also a little more dissonant... Is this a fair assessment? Tell us a little something about this next CD, when will it be out and will More Hate release it?
Lev: Yes, you are right. We worked on sound in that direction. The new album is to be released on More Hate Productions in October/November 2005. It will consist of 9 tracks including a 1,5 minute cover of Extinction song. Total time: 32 minutes.
Arcana Noctis: OK Lev, thanks for your time and good luck with your projects! The final words are yours...
Lev: Thanks Jamie for your questions! I wish the readers to distinguish the main goals in life from the trifles and I wish this to myself too...
Lev: I do not feel I am a veteran (though probably I really the veteran). Rigorism was formed up as a studio project, so we did not plan any live performances. Actually it was me who decided to start Rigorism. After 4 instrumental tracks were recorded I asked Roman (the vocalist of Barbarity) to help me. So we tried and now the second album is recorded.Arcana Noctis: It's been about 10 years since Extinction split up, so what made you wish to return to making Death Metal after all these years? How has the underground changed, and what do you think of today's bands?
Lev: After I left Extinction the band existed for some time. I had a wish to play and compose music but I recorded if for myself more than for others. So there was no long break in my playing music. They were not worth while. First the sound of extreme music changed, it became more powerful and clear. Many styles and sub styles appeared. Many sub styles are called "Metal" though it is difficult to call them so. Death Metal is out of fashion though. I think it did it good. People who like Death Metal play it, people who just want to follow the fashion don't.
Arcana Noctis: Was forming Rigorism a definite "plan" or was its inception more accidental?
Lev: It was to a certain extent accidental. It all began when I got acquainted with Roman. I cannot growl and there are not many people who can growl so powerfully as Roman.
Arcana Noctis: Your music has a definite soundtrack feel to it. Are these an influence and which are your favourite?
Lev: There might be some influence though, but I have no idea which! We try to avoid any influence. Though it is hard to create something of your own... nearly impossible. And it is hard to avoid comparisons. I am fond of films dealing with history and do not have any favourite music or something else. I like different music if it is interesting and of good quality.
Arcana Noctis: "Human Fear" was recorded at your home studio, which is significant in the fact that the sound is so clear, balanced and heavy; it doesn't sound "home made" at all! Is the recording to your satisfaction, and tell us the advantages of a home studio, compared to the "traditional" methods of recording.
Lev: We were satisfied with the quality of the album but we found some shortcomings (after several hundred listenings). The only advantage of home studio is no time limits. Yet it is not the main reason why I prefer home studio. I am also interested in sound experiment. If I were sure that somebody could record better for a reasonable price I would prefer professional studio. Now it is possible to style something of expensive studio hardware for programs. Only the sound of tube distortion seems to be unique. I hope a good quality recording will not be a problem in the nearest future.
Arcana Noctis: If you could associate Rigorism with any one horror writer, who would it be (for example, I would associate Morbid Angel with Lovecraft)?
Lev: It is difficult to say... I read a lot; I prefer books dealing with WWII, not paying much attention to the names of the authors. And music as I understand should create some images in a listener's mind.
Arcana Noctis: Your vocalist Roman creates an astonishing performance on "Human Fear". Normally, I wouldn't have thought that such an extreme vocal style would suit your music, but it seems to work perfectly. Do you agree?
Lev: Yes, the vocal parts are excellent. I think Roman's growling is necessary. Black and white... The kindness and evil... One cannot exist without the other and perfect harmony is when they both exist. But why am I trying to be clever? I just know from the very start that I need growling for my music. It is quite difficult to explain; I thought of the whole and did not pay much attention to the details.
Arcana Noctis: The cover is almost like a child's interpretation of fear... Do you think that children are more in touch with this primitive feeling than adults, or is it just their over-active imagination?
Lev: To my mind, child's fear differs much from adult's fear. Sometimes adult can be scared of something even more than a child. One can interpret our CD cover literally. Perhaps, that was not right and we should have made a hint. We did not force our ideas upon the artist, we just asked him to do everything the way he understands it should be.
Arcana Noctis: By the looks of it, you used the same artist as Barbarity. Any particular reason for this?
Lev: It is simple; we did not know any other artists who could do the cover. The second album cover is made another artist. It might be strange but it is a girl. I hope she will do her best. To tell the truth, I do not pay much attention to a CD cover or bands image. I care of the music only.
Arcana Noctis: The lyrics are unfortunately not printed in the CD booklet... Some of the titles are quite unusual for a Death Metal band, such as "Some Words About Love"... Can you give us an insight into Rigorism's lyrical themes?
Lev: It is not only the titles but lyrics on the whole is quite unusual for a Metal band. We mock at traditional Metal lyrics in every song. For example, "My Heart" is about a man with a coal heart. So it can be used as fuel. And you might think that this song is about love. Vocal parts in Death Metal seem to be an instrument for music composing live guitar or bass. I don't think people treat "Metal" lyrics seriously. The same thing about our "Some Words About Love" or "My Heart".
Arcana Noctis: So, the follow up to "Human Fear" has been recorded and it's name is "Cold and Pain". I've listened to the mp3's on your website and I can say that it's a lot heavier yet the horror/atmospheric element is even more prevalent than on the debut... It's also a little more dissonant... Is this a fair assessment? Tell us a little something about this next CD, when will it be out and will More Hate release it?
Lev: Yes, you are right. We worked on sound in that direction. The new album is to be released on More Hate Productions in October/November 2005. It will consist of 9 tracks including a 1,5 minute cover of Extinction song. Total time: 32 minutes.
Arcana Noctis: OK Lev, thanks for your time and good luck with your projects! The final words are yours...
Lev: Thanks Jamie for your questions! I wish the readers to distinguish the main goals in life from the trifles and I wish this to myself too...