Ind: Could you introduce MENTAL DISSECTION?
Andrey Lanin: I'm sure everyone knows me pretty well. MENTAL DISSECTION has never been a full-scale band — it's more of a project managed by me, including the music, lyrics, everything.
Ind: MENTAL DISSECTION, MENTAL DEMISE, MENTAL ABERRATION... So many "mentals"...
Andrey Lanin: Yep, I could add even more. Initially we had two options — LIVING DISSECTION and MENTAL FUNERAL. Before we were picking a moniker for our own band, we were called EXHUMATOR. Later on we arrived at this symbiosis.
Ind: I admire your underground activity. Despite all the difficulties, you haven't lost the zest for brutal metal!
Andrey Lanin: I can't do it any other way. I respect people who follow their own path. Yes, very often we run into difficulties and can't complete all our ideas, but I can't just sit there twiddling my thumbs — this is my core interest!
Ind: Tell us the details about the UG TRIBUTE TO CANNIBAL CORPSE. How is the project progressing?
Andrey Lanin: The idea came from McDie (NECROPSY) from Voronezh. It seems to be his brainchild. Unfortunately, bands are too slow to send their covers — or maybe they just can't cover CC properly! I hope to complete the project in a year or so.
Ind: You also run a zine. Do you manage to cover your expenses, at least the material ones, or at least the moral ones? I've also heard you're going to change its ideology.
Andrey Lanin: I just barely cover my expenses and that's it. My zine is made for no profit. The UG should have no profit motive. Yes, the next NORD Zine will reflect some of my personal ideas and many won't like it. This way I'll develop my own voice, free of masks.
Ind: MENTAL DISSECTION is your main brainchild. How is the band doing right now?
Andrey Lanin: It looks like my main brainchild is surviving through many problems. I let go of the bass player and drummer and started looking for new musicians. There aren't any good musicians in Krasnodar who are eager and ready to play death metal. I hope to get lucky — I need to either rely on myself or become a mentor for younger guys.
Ind: Oh, can we expect any new material to be recorded? Do you intend to improve the sound quality?
Andrey Lanin: First of all, I'd love to start playing gigs again. Sooner or later I'll get into the studio, of course. In Krasnodar it's hard to get death metal recorded properly. It's a balancing act between quality and opportunity. But still, I'm all for positive changes.
Ind: You're stubborn about using russian lyrics. Some people say it's outdated, while others insist it's quite original.
Andrey Lanin: I love the russian language used for extreme metal. My thoughts come across clearly that way, and I don't give a damn about what people think or say.
Ind: The truth is, I love hearing the native language used by MENTAL DISSECTION, yet sometimes I get caught up in the words rather than the music.
Andrey Lanin: Both the words and the music are important to me. If you're getting caught up in the words, then maybe the music could be better. I'll work on improving it then!
Ind: I saw one of your flyers — a girl with bare breasts in front of a sign reading "Krasnodar". Where did you find that girl?
Andrey Lanin: I don't know her. I found the photo by chance and didn't miss the opportunity to put it on our flyer.
Ind: Your flyers are also decorated with bloody pictures.
Andrey Lanin: The drawings were made by Shurk Exhumer from the Orel Region. In future issues, my zine will shed more light on his work — drawings and comics.
Ind: What influences you?
Andrey Lanin: The press, TV, crime reports... Our work is essentially an outward gaze — a reflection of dark reality.
Ind: Let's call it a day. Tell us something scary!
Andrey Lanin: I call upon everyone to commit sabotage against the disguised motherfuckers — there are way too many of them around us!