Scorpio: Let's start the standard way, by talking about the new album. You certainly came up with a tricky name. Explain the meaning of "In Compassion to Rejected: Condemned the Hell!"
Alex: Hi! Who hasn't wondered about what comes after death? Most people, for example, comfort themselves by thinking they'll end up in Paradise, or that they'll come back in another form. They hammer all sorts of nonsense into their heads. And everyone fears it! They fear it, even though we'll all face it someday. So let death truly become Hell for them!
S.: There are only three original songs on the album; the rest are covers of IMMORTAL, DARKTHRONE and MAYHEM. Whose idea was this cover fest?
A.: Our fans'. After the release of "Pesni Mertvyh" ("Songs of the Dead"), we received a huge number of letters asking us to record covers in the studio (their recording had been made at one of the band's live shows and ended up on an album as bonus tracks). So why not.
S.: In that case, shouldn't this release be called a mini-CD rather than a full-length album? What do you think?
A.: Call it whatever you like.
S.: And who is (was) the girl (half-girl) on the cover artwork?
A.: No comment. I can only say that she was just 18.
S.: Why is there no logo and no album name on the covers of your last two releases? Just clean artwork... Do you think those elements would ruin the image?
A.: Yes, the logo and album titles would, in my opinion, slightly spoil the artwork. The covers are memorable enough without them.
S.: This year the band lost vocalist Otec Sergiy. What was the reason?
A.: His love of alcohol, basically. Everyone was fed up with his drunken antics, and after the latest incident (a concert in Tula was ruined), we asked him to leave the band.
S.: How did the new singer Vallgrim join? By the way, has Vallgrim left CHERNOBOG, or is he in both bands at the same time?
A.: He's active in both bands. I've known him for a long time, so I suggested he sing in ASHEN LIGHT. Vallgrim agreed. That's basically it.
S.: It seems the lyrical side of your work has changed. You've clearly dropped the "pagan" label. What's behind these changes?
A.: Originally the band was meant to work in this style, and it finally became possible.
S.: What prevented it before?
A.: Everyone in the band had their own opinion about what style to pursue. Those opinions often didn't align.
S.: Despite all that, the lyrics remain in russian. What do you think about those CIS bands that write English lyrics devoid of rhyme, and sometimes even meaning?
A.: Probably they want to pave their way to the West with English lyrics, or maybe they're afraid to sing in their native language because the lyrics would sound funny and ridiculous. I don't know, it doesn't interest me. Let them do whatever they want.
S.: ASHEN LIGHT's formula is "one album per year." So should we expect the next creation in 2004? Have you composed anything new?
A.: The work is in full swing, but you'll have to wait for the album. We want to record more material. There will be covers as well.
S.: Whose songs will you cover?
A.: For now we've settled on BURZUM and BEHEMOTH.
S.: And what new original songs have you already composed?
A.: It's too early to talk about them. The new compositions are still in a working state; we need to spend a bit more time on them.
S.: Have you ever thought about making a music video? What should an ASHEN LIGHT video look like?
A.: We've thought about a video — maybe it'll be a bonus on the new album. What it will look like, we don't know yet either.
S.: It's hard to find any information about the band. You go to ashenlight. and there's only contact info, a list of current lineup members, discography, lyrics, and a few tracks to listen to. The booklet is the same — just thank-you's and basic info. What's with this air of mystery?
A.: The thing is, I'd like ASHEN LIGHT to be known primarily for its music, not for lineup changes. The songs on our site aren't the best quality, but they can be found on other resources in mp3 as well.
S.: In September you'll take part in Morbid Fest in Germany. Bands from our region often have various problems with traveling abroad — visas and so on — so almost nobody plays overseas. How did the band receive this invitation?
A.: Ha, we have those problems too. We didn't even expect that someone would invite us anywhere, but thanks to our cooperation with MORE HATE Prod., it became possible.
S.: Who will you share the stage with?
A.: EXHUMED, MANOS, THE FLYING LUTTENBACHERS, DESASTER, DEAD INFECTION, NEURAXIS, BIRDFLESH, DESECRATION, BONESTORM, PROSTITUDE DISFIGUREMENT, HELLBLAZER, HARMONY DIES. More info at: http://www.morbidrecords.de
S.: Will you present new material?
A.: Yes, but not only — the set will mostly consist of songs from our recent albums.
S.: What do you hope to get out of this concert?
A.: Hopefully it will help get more russian bands noticed abroad. We have many talented acts. And it would be great for us to do a bit of traveling as well.
S.: Which bands do you think represent the face of the CIS metal scene?
A.: There are many good bands here, but I won't name them — everyone knows them well enough.
S.: Should bands aim for the Western metal market?
A.: First and foremost, they should aim to create quality material. I don't understand those who try to "compete" in music — things like "we play better," and so on. For me, music is an opportunity to share ideas and emotions with fans. Quality means honest and sincere!
S.: Any young bands you'd like to highlight?
A.: There aren't many such bands, and it's very hard for me to answer this question since I personally know many members of these groups. It should be the fans who single out such bands.
S.: We started the standard way, so let's finish the same: any final words?
A.: What can I say? Greetings to all our fans. See you at our concerts!
S.: I wish you creative success and, of course, a great performance at Morbid Fest.