DRUKNROLL is a solo project of musician Druknroll, which appeared in 2006 in Russian Saratov. The debut album “Brownian Movement”, which was released in the spring of 2010. This year, the second album “On the Blade of the Knife” was released, which became the reason for the conversation with the group.
Interview prepared by Thrashmentor
Answering: Drunknroll (guitars, bass, keyboards), Uzhas (vocals), Jester (drums)
1. DRUKNROLL, as far as I know, began as a project. And now – is it a full-fledged group or still a project? Do you play any concerts, for example?
Jester: Well, at the moment, Druknroll functions exclusively as a project. It’s just that the only person not involved in other groups is Andrey Druknroll himself. Both me and the vocalist Sasha have other bands that take up our time and energy. We planned to play concerts, but we couldn’t get a full line-up together, because, again, there aren’t enough people. In this regard, it’s easier to work only in the studio, and then, maybe, someone will show up.
Druknroll: If decent conditions for concert activity appear, of course,
we will play them, but, most likely, it will not be just a concert, but a whole show.
2. “On the Edge of a Knife” – how would you describe this album to those who haven’t heard it yet? What, in your opinion, is there in it that should make a potential listener put aside other albums and buy this one?
Horror: In these songs, I think many will recognize themselves, their lives, fragments of their actions. I am sure that many will find answers to their questions in this album!
Druknroll: I think this album is for those who want to go beyond certain
styles and trends in music, who want to move forward in metal, although history
should not be forgotten.
3. If I’m not mistaken, “On the Blade of a Knife” is already your second album. Unfortunately, I have not heard the first one. Please tell us what are the radical differences between these albums?
Jester: The second album was somehow heavier and more fashionable. It may seem different to everyone. Personally, the first one seems more diverse to me.
Horror: I agree with Petro that the first album was more diverse. Perhaps this
was marked by the search for your own fairway, your own worldview!
Druknroll: The second album turned out to be more energetic, faster.
4. I heard that DRUKNROLL pays serious attention to video support, and several videos were shot for the songs from the first album. Will there be videos for the second album, and where can we see them? Only on YouTube?
Horror: There are already videos for two songs for the second album. You can find videos not only on YouTube, but also on other sites, for example, Neformat TV…
Druknroll: We currently have 5 videos in our arsenal, and we plan to release a DVD with videos, which will include interviews, footage from the filming of the videos, and much more interesting stuff, since there is enough video material for a whole series.
5. In your opinion, what is the essence of creativity in conditions when the attention of potential listeners is scattered not only between numerous groups and projects, but also between other modern alternatives for spending time?
Jester: The main thing here is to understand what creativity is for you, and work in the right direction. If the main thing for you is to sell your discs, then there will be many obstacles. But if music is an activity for the soul, then this is the most effective option. You can sit and wait for a response as long as you like, and then spit on everything and say – screw it, this music. But if you love your business, you can get unexpected results.
Horror: The most important thing is that creativity comes from the heart, then and only then will it be able to reach the hearts of other people!
Druknroll: Creativity is what you are drawn to do, and if you also make money from it, then life is just a success.
6. Are there any things in this life, outside of music, that attract you, and which, perhaps, will influence the music you create in the future?
Horror: Life itself is what attracts me! Creativity, in my opinion, and the influence on it, depends on how and what kind of life a person lives, and what conclusions and inferences we make for ourselves at every moment of our lives!