Tech metal mayhem from Russia

Russian metal underground is starting to show its gems. Grenouer is one of them. They aren't a new band, as they have been around about a decade now, but they have changed their style and presented their hearts with the new EP 'Try'. Are you ready for some inhuman tech metal mayhem? Hopefully, as Grenouer are here for your heads! The answers were provided by lead vocalist Andrey IND.

AM: Can you tell me something about the history of Grenouer?

Andrey IND: Well, the band started in the middle on 90's and since that released several albums inside Russia, yet we didn't get through to a Western metal market, looks like no one is willing to sign a band from Russia. Unfortunately local Russian labels cannot provide any serious promotion and in most cases bands have to do that themselves. Anyway, Grenouer keeps on trying, and plays gigs even outside Russia.

At the moment we are also very concerned about the quality of our music and the production and we have just booked dates at Astia Studio to record our album with Anssi Kippo (Children Of Bodom, Smak, Norther, Lullacry, Twighlightning, etc.) as sound and artistic producer. We estimate that this might provide a better response from labels but at the same time we don't lay all our accounts on that. We just rock on.

AM: 'Try' is my first experience about Grenouer. I've read that you have changed your style when comparing 'Try' to the older work of Grenouer. True?

IND: Absolutely! We have changed and developed a lot. Grenouer started as a typical death metal combo and then step by step came somewhere else. At the moment we are more into modern and universal metal that still sounds aggressive enough but also quite melodic and we still practice this technical approach. Well, we've been young and brutal at the start, each of us is aged about 30 now and it's more interesting to be both technical and listenable.

AM: You have definitely found quite a unique style by now. How did that happen and were you influenced by other acts?

IND: Ah, thank you so much! It's great to hear that we are unique! Of course we have experienced lots of influences but finally it turned out that the easiest and the most logical way is just be playing without any look-away, doing what our hearts tell us. Well, a reviewer might find out similarities with Meshuggah or Fear Factory, but this is more personal and not a direct borrowing.

AM: How is the music incepted?

IND: During this year the band is rehearsing a lot, spending much time together and normally we compose riffs at our rehearsal room, which means that we are a kind of on the spot guys. Very often now it starts from a rhythmical sketch on the drums. Still, some things are elaborated personally of course. Anyway there are no recipes, the music comes from our hearts and represents through skills.

Grenouer (from left to right): Ilya GRAVE (drums), Alexander MOTOR
(guitars), Andrey IND (vocals) and Vyatcheslav SLAVIJ (bass).

AM: 'Try' is professionally created work, from sound to layout. Is it basically an independent work, or did you get any help from the label?

IND: It is a 100% independent work. We covered studio and design expenses all by ourselves. Then we found a local label that released it under our control but it didn't give us any serious promotion and distribution. To be honest we just remain unsigned and do everything all by ourselves - sending promo packages, answering mail, etc.

We are really unlucky 'cause we come from Russia, for any abroad band of our age and experience is decently signed. Anyway if you want to look pro and no one is paying for you, then you have to pay it yourselves.

AM: Can you tell me about what you want to say with 'Try'?

IND: We just wanted to make a good release that reflects modern Grenouer creativity. We needed such release ourselves, for most of people remembered us as a death metal band, while we have grown up into something different.

It looks like that it was a good effort, 'Try', at least there are so many positive reviews and we would love to thank all zines and mags. 'Try' is a short release but it conveys much more that our previous four full-length albums.

AM: How is the life for a metal band in Russia nowadays? Is it easy to get instruments and get to play live? Is it to have a band next to personal life?

IND: Well, economically Russia is now more stabilized, and getting instruments is not a problem at all. It is also not that problematic with playing alive especially if live in cities like Moscow or Saint Petersburg. The problem remains the same, it is a proper signing. Russian metal labels can hardly promote a band, their chief interest is licensing foreign labels. It's quite easy to understand that they just avoid risk, Morbid Angel or In Flames would always be in better demand that local metal bands.

AM: There got to be a huge metal underground in your country. Can you tell about it a bit please?

IND: Russia is huge and its scene is finally huge. Imagine that every big city has at least one good band. But here quantity doesn't turn into quality. Metal bands don't receive any support and only most dedicated and self-sacrificing do achieve anything. Just imagine that you have to cover all expenses by yourself, including studio and artwork design. Besides you have to spend the majority of your spare with your band. No wonder many musicians come to treating their band as a hobby helping them to escape from routine life and from their wives. Still, there are bands that survive otherwise and keep heads high.

AM: Anything you want to say?

IND: I want thank you a lot for your interest towards Grenouer and Russia in general. I really think that you are doing an excellent job with your www-zine! I am wishing you lots of readers and many hits! Please welcome to Saint Petersburg (our current location) anytime and probably meet you on gigs! Good luck to everything you are involved! METAL!

AM: Well, thank you Andrey! Russia is a must-see at some of these days. Maybe I'll catch ypu up at a gig. Good luck for you mate and good luck for Grenouer. Hopefully you'll find a label that cares for a band.

Interviewed by Lane.

09/15/2006 19:05