[AMATORY], one of the biggest names in Russian heavy music, have brought us a surprise right in the middle of this hot summer. They are going to do their 10th anniversery tour together with their ex-vocalist Igor.
There was great uncertainty due to him leaving the band…
After he left, The band found a new vocalist in the form Vyacheslav Sokoloff and they recorded a new album with him. [AMATORY] did a gig with Slipknot in Moscow and also made a new LIVE DVD, which is now being prepared for release., They have also returned to the radio, despite the heaviness of their new music, Now, for the first time in their life, it is six of them going on tour.
The author of the book “Black And White Days”met Igor on the 23d of June and asked him a couple of questions. A year of expectations and finally, here are all the answer we’ve been eager to hear.
You have left the band straight after the performance at the Tuska Open Air festival(Finland). What happened?
This was a very quick decision, even for myself, “I need to do this RIGHT NOW”. I had serious problems with my health and my mind. I went to the Tuska Open Air festival, because it was a performance which was already planned. I was sure that I needed to leave, but I still was not certain on how long it would be, but I knew that it would be quite long.
When we returned from Finland I made the decision. I met [DENVER] and I told him. I just told him that, At that moment there was no other options. We had some negotiations, but I really was not fit morally or physically.
Of course, I took part in writing the new songs, but I did not do as good as I had wished. I realised that I was totally unfit. If you want to give something you need to intake something first, At that moment I was sompletely empty. When you are in band you don’t have time to think. You are always under some sort of pressure. You always have to do something. But sometimes you need time for yourself. I’m very surprised at how the rest of the guys do that, how they keep this balance. I have not found it yet.
After you had left, we did not hear anything about you at all. The fans were expecting to see you in april, at the anniversary gigs, but all they got was an audio message, which was played at the end of the gigs.
Yes, I recorded the message when Alex and his wife visited me at the island where I was living. The tenth anniversary was very important for me, I’m a part of this band. I had to send the fans some sort of message. This is why we did that, since recording a video was not possible.
Frankly I thought that this message would calm everyone down…but there are many people with a rich imagination…
Indeed, there are people with a rich imagination.
You have answered one of the biggest questions, where have you been during these year?
There is no secret about that. I was in Valaam where I lived in a Skete. It was a good place with good people.
We all go with the flow, which brings us forward and it is very band when you don’t have a chance to stop. Often, people are limited by their obligations and other difficulties in life. I was lucky. I had a chance to escape it all. To see the world witha different prospective.
Have you been checking the news of the music world?
No I absolutely did not.. I was not interested in music or the news about it. I was working on my personality and my personal problems. I worked, read, prayed. I changed my attitude on life. The island has even changed the way I look at music, because I was introduced to the Valaam singing, an ancient Russian way of singing.
Why did you return to St. Petersburg now?
It’s all very simple. It’s been a year and I’ve realised that it is time to move on. I realised that it is time to build my life.
How have you made this decisions to be a special guest at the anniversary tour?
It was completely spontenious. I kept in touch with the guys and when [DENVER] met me he told me that they are going to tour. And we just came up with this idea. I thought “why not?” This would be very interesting for the people who have never heard me perform certain songs. This will be very interesting show and a memorable event. Both the new and old fans should be happy, since it’s an exclusive opportunity and nobody knows what’s going to happen tomorrow. I will be glad to travel to Russian cities and to look at them from a new prospective.
What is the set list is going to be like and who will be singing what?
We had our first rehersal yesterday. I did not do any singing at all during the year and as it turned out I forgot an enormous chunk of the lyrics(laughter). I could only memorise just certain bits of them. It was interesting trying to meet up and perform. I enjoyed working with Slava it is going to be hot. I think that we will do a chunk with the old songs, where people got used to hearing my voice and the chunk with the new songs for Slava and another chunk where we will be singing together.
How exactly are you going to be sharing the songs?
Yesterday at the rehearsal we sung the most of it together and we just somehow shared it inbetween us. It sounded very cool.
Have you already listened to the “Instinct Of The Doomed”?
Not entirely. I heard bits of it when I was in Denver’s car, but the guys gave me the CD as a gift.
To be honest, I’m happy with about the current situation. I was listening to [AMATORY] when I was a teenager then I was a member. And now I’m back to being the listener. And I liked that even more, it is very good quality music which gives you certain feelings. It does not matter if you like heavy music, [AMATORY] has music which will make you feel great. And that is great.
The sound of the new songs is superb, Madsen(the sound-producer) and the guys have done a really good job.
What do you think about the fact that people will start comparing you to Slava even more?
I will be honest, Nothing has changed. Even before I left I was recommending Slava to Denver, because I knew what this guy could do. He has great vocal ability, he can sing and growl and incorperate other vocal technics.
The fans argue about the vocal technics of Slava, does he growl or does he incorperate harsh singing?
He does good growling and harsh singing. You need to take into account the fact that Slava is very young and full of energy. For the band it is new blood which will push them forward. The band will develop. It can become something much bigger. New band member gives a new pulse and that inspires the rest of the band. It is a stressful sitiuation but it leads to a good outcome. I think that Slava is best vocalist [AMATORY] could have possibly found.
What do you think about Slava singing the old songs in a different way?
I have a very simple attitude, There are old songs which fans love and you must perform them. Lemmie from Motorhead once said “If I came to a Motorhead gig and I did not hear “Ace Of Spades” I would have a very bad feeling about that.” Same applies to [AMATORY], if people dont hear “Black And White days” they will have bad feelings. It is great that the band can feel that and they want their fans to feel good. Those people who prefer the old way, will be able to hear the songs the way they used to be. But I think that the new [AMATORY] sounds perfect.
When you think about the anniversary tours, what are they like?
Right now, in my condition I am not entirely sure about how I will feel on stage. I do not have the energy that I used to have. But that is fine, it is in development. I have not seen or heard the guys for a year and I can see that they became better musicians. But [AMATORY] have not peaked yet. There are so many great things yet to come in the future!
Translated by Musicily.com