History

Chapter I. Genesis.

After long search I found Micro$oft Word in my computer at last (strange enough, I’ve stumbled over Steinberg Cubase SX five times at least). And I’ve sharpened my pen and began poking it into keyboard trying to depict something that could be called History in some time. Or Prehistory, at least (thanks to Mr. Ballantine and Son for the stuff nourishing my brain at the moment).

The beginning was vague. I was playing in a nameless school band; then Autodafe band appeared (it was in 1985), I worked with Alexei Bazanov (guitar) and Anton Chadulin (drums) there. You won’t believe, but we played what is called Doom now, without looking to the West. But isolation from the world of real music in those times and own teenage problems led to termination of this activity and everything fell apart in a year. In some time my American friends presented me a malicious Musician magazine. I studied it and gave up my music activities for good (judge for yourself – overseas vermins played decent instruments at the same time we are to be satisfied with 2A9 speakers and homemade guitars with awful strings). Very sad events in August 1996 encouraged me to deal with music again – and it went on.

In 2000 I found myself in a very interesting Llanfair P.G. band where I successfully played for exactly a year, day to day, then I was fired for psychological incompatibility with the band frontman (hi, Dr.Leo!). Being on my own ass then, I decided at last it was high time to realise something of my own. Andrew Sokolov (very slow but successfully working author of lyrics) and Rob McReddin (a man of renown who was ready to support my project even in Llanfair P.G.) were on their own asses beside me. All this happened in the beginning of summer of year 2001. I enjoyed delights of Northern summer enough and sat down to the music. Some ideas appeared in course of work, some were in my head for some years already (i.e., the Njord main theme appeared 15 years ago – oh my!). At the very least, material enough to work with was ready in January 2002; then I began searching those worthy people able to make a reality of those insane musical ideas with their skills of musical instruments wielding (I must mention that McReddin, vocals, was cleared for action long time ago without stopping his Llanfair P.G. activity).

So, Raynach was the first. She came up to me before a Moonspell concert (I remember that clearly, it was 26th January) and said: “They say you are looking for musicians? Do your need keyboards?” Thus, for rather a long period the Wolfsangel band became a union of keyboards and bass.

The second worthy musician was Alexei, drummer. Our friend Sherkhan advised us to pay attention to him in July 2002. We decided to conduct a casting. By the way to the rehearsal dreadful rain broke out, and that was a good sign. After long attempts to play something sensible (and to get dry as well) Raynach and I realised that Alexei was our man.

And Feodor, at last. He appeared in our band totally unexpectedly, exactly at the moment when all potential candidatures of guitarists were completely exhausted. He just said that he was finally free of any musical projects and would like to try working with us – and it found out that he was exactly the very person Wolfsangel needed.

I am extremely appreciated to all those people I am working with in the band, people with whom the Fortune brought me together. Long live us! Well, I just wish Insert key would not be pressed without reason…

D.P.
Written at night between 17th and 18th November 2002, St.Petersburg.