Birthdays, as everyone knows, come only once a year. And among them there are those that no one can afford to miss — especially if you have for 20 years now been a devoted fan of this band, ready to bite the throats of metal's enemies. This is why the relocation of the "celebration" from Sokolniki to the Shadow club sparked certain apprehensions. "What if they cancel it altogether," I thought, cursing myself for even thinking such words. Fortunately, the main event of russian-language heavy metal did in fact take place.
On my way to the club I was very surprised at the small gathering of fans (though in my line of duty I had arrived two hours before the start of the concert) and at the external appearance of the Shadow. I suspected something was amiss. But inside all my apprehensions dissolved. A pleasant club, somehow agreeably reminiscent of Apelsin, good staff, and surprisingly sensible security. From that point on, however, things did not go quite so well.
The press conference was delayed by nearly an hour. And even after an hour certain notable figures, such as Margarita Pushkina, had not been inclined to appear. For that matter, she did not seem to be present at the concert itself either. The questions were, in essence, standard: When? Will we see? Do you want to? What do you think? But there were a couple that, in my view, deserve attention. First, the English-language album will most likely not appear. Second, bands of this "format" will never attempt to break into television; they are content with this "club" existence. They will always draw fans regardless. And third, the concert would be recorded on video to be subsequently released as a live album.
From this day on I will forever admire A. Bolshakov as a person. This man makes a powerful impression and radiates a kind of strong, positive, calming energy. Honestly, throughout the entire concert I waited with impatience for his appearance on stage.
After the press conference the musicians stayed to talk and pose for photos with those who wished. Only the venerable Kipelov made his exit with the words "The concert is soon. I need to prepare." None of my business, but he was performing at the very end, whereas Mr. Granovsky needed to come out at the very beginning, which did not prevent him from staying.
The large number of people in the hall was impressive. I had not seen so many fans at any other concert. But their ages impressed me even more. There were people who appeared to be older than the musicians themselves; a couple of times children of around ten years old surfaced from the crowd of fans. But tell me — what were people with shaved heads in tracksuits doing there?
The concert started practically on time (from personal experience, especially following such a delayed press conference, this was remarkable). Quite decent sound and an excellent pyrotechnic show accompanied the musicians throughout the two-plus hours. The production team has only one question to answer: why hang screens on the sides if for almost the entire time they showed nothing but the band's name against a backdrop of falling snow?
In the course of the concert invited guests appeared on stage. Let the fans not beat me for saying so, but fortunately they did not linger there long. Because of all the guests I was only waiting for Kipelov, who came out at the end of the concert and for approximately half an hour staged his own celebration of "Old ARIA and me." (Inadvertently overhearing fans' conversations, I understood that few people enjoyed this.) Naturally, it could not be without the "friends" of MASTER, the band Piligrim, whom many, to be honest, cannot stand.
Right at the very finale, when there was no free space left in the hall, when the fans were exhausted, and certain journalists were walking around incoherent with beer in hand, A. Yelin appeared on stage and also congratulated the band on their anniversary. Whereupon came the apotheosis and simultaneously the conclusion of this unforgettable, in the best sense of the word, insane show: the performance of "Volya i Razum" by the entire mob of musicians together.
So then — the anniversary was a success. Our thanks, and we await you again in a year. Those who were not there that evening missed a great deal, even if they are not fans of this wonderful band. The "old men" are still strong and young in spirit, and can outdo any young and inexperienced musicians.
Setlist:
Current lineup: Igra Master Skorbotnykh Del Vera Gorit Na Kosterakh Mesta Khvatit Vsem Tatu Pesni Mertvykh Kresty (with Fomin) Vysokosny Vek (with Fomin) Shchit i Mech 33 Zhizni Heavy Lambada Tolko Ty Sam Pepel Na Vetru Na Linii Ognya (with Kovalyov) Kto Kogo? Ruki Proch Beregi Menya Za Granyu Vremya Varvarov Heroes
Original lineup: Ne Khotim Bereguites Katy Yeshche Raz Noch
Special guest Valery Kipelov: Igry Ne Dlya Nas Ikar Bez Tebya Torero
All together: Tut Kuyut Metal Vstan, Strakh Podolai Volya i Razum Master
Special thanks to Musicbox and personally to Gulya Zaripova for the accreditation provided