Scorpio: Hi! Well, let's get started! ACT OF GOD is a young band, and most of our readers don't know much about it. So please tell us the history of the group and about the Snark project.
Roman: Snark was founded by three school friends in 1996. It wasn't metal — just punk/grunge, and it didn't last long. It ended right after the first concert. The rebirth came in 1998, when Snark became a punk project. And only after the next lineup change in 1999, when Ilia and Irina joined, did the smell of death start flying from the speakers during rehearsals. So from gothic/doom, Snark evolved into death/black, and the members decided to change the name. ACT OF GOD was the new one.
S: Have you already found a label to release your debut album "...For Demon"?
Roman: Right now a few labels are considering it, but we don't have a contract yet.
S: The album cover design leaves something to be desired (the logo and album title are hard to make out). But whose idea was it to use the picture of Jesus, and why does he look so frightened?
Ilia: That was the idea — to put that face on there. The mad gaze of the Nazarene beautifully reflects his maniacal essence, a readiness to leave mankind for millennia to stagnate in a swamp of hypocritical morals, having substituted the words "death" and "servitude" with "salvation" and "god." I think if Christ appeared in our time, he'd be called crazy. A lot has been said on this subject in books, beautiful songs have been written, and whole musical styles have been formed around it. Yet the infection has adapted and thrives across the world. What can we do? At least we can once again show his true face on the cover of our album. The logo, by the way, is perfectly visible on the physical copy, unlike the digital version.
S: What kind of daemon is the album "...For Demon" for?
Ilia: We took the album title from one of our songs. Translated from russian, it means "...To the Daemon." The concept of "Daemon" here is used not as a reference to a specific person, but rather as a certain spiritual image through which we've grown accustomed to observing and evaluating objective reality.
S: Who are your musical mentors?
Ilia: My main musical mentor is my grandpa, who, in an elevated state of spirit — usually late at night — would play "Murka" on his rakish accordion. Naturally, after such close contact with beauty, it was hard not to start listening to death metal. Roman: The word "mentor" implies the presence of some teacher who helps and guides you. In my case, there is no such person.
S: Female members, particularly guitarists, in bands that play death and black metal are a rarity. What can you tell us about your charming Victoria and Irina?
Ilia: Victoria and Irina are great musicians who really understand music. Of course there can be some squabbles — after all, we're human. Irina is my wife, and I love her. Roman: Actually, Victoria isn't a guitarist anymore. To answer the next question in advance: since she's studying operatic singing at the institute of culture, we decided to go with one guitar and one vocal (the operatic kind).
S: Which members have a musical education?
Roman: As of today, only Irina — she went to music school.
S: Which bands from the CIS do you consider the best?
Ilia: Fermented Corpse. Roman: ATOLL NERAT, Fermented Corpse, MIND ECLIPSE.
S: Tell us about your own musical passions.
Ilia: I love Modest Mussorgsky! An extremely brutal individual! His "Pictures at an Exhibition" is truly HELL. I strongly recommend visiting the restroom before listening, otherwise the consequences may be irreversible. MORBID ANGEL and Deicide are kids compared to our compatriot. But in sentimental moments, Immolation, Behemoth and Hypocrisy are our best friends. Roman: My musical passions are very broad and varied: Behemoth, Pink Floyd, Hypocrisy, Gorguts, Cryptopsy, Mayhem, Nail, MORBID ANGEL, Pain, Dark Funeral, Doors, and many others.
S: How do your relatives feel about your creative activity?
Ilia: Generally positive, as long as the conversation doesn't turn to ideology. Roman: They create an illusion of interest, but in general they don't really care.
S: Your message to the metal fans:
Ilia: Dear metal fans! I wish you happiness, health, and success in your endeavors. And may our celestial father and his son Jesus Christ, who took on our sins and opened the gates to celestial bliss, save you all. Amen. Roman: Don't give in to the will of the majority, don't walk with the herd — you are not sheep, not worms in the dirt — you are PEOPLE.
S: Thank you for the interview. I wish you find a good label very soon!