Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
Hello! The history of the band began in 1999 in the city of Poltava (Ukraine). It included three members: Alexander Chumak (R.I.P.), Vyacheslav Vyrvihvost (R.I.P.), Alexander (ADAMS) Savinykh. As well as now, that time the band was also gathered on my initiative. The guys showed great enthusiasm in supporting my ideas – both musical and conceptual. Unfortunately, at the time we got together it was already difficult to organize a gig in the city. That’s why we performed live only a few times. Once the band participated in the nationwide festival Chervona Ruta. This fest presents music of all kinds and styles (at least it was such at that time, not sure what it’s like now), from pop to metal… What can I say, well, our participation in this event was utterly ridiculous and funny..))) Two years later, all Poltava metal community was struck by the death of the best metal drummer in Poltava, Alexander Chumak (1980-2001)… He played in such Poltava bands as Lunar Onlooker, Killofucka, Kollaps, No Where, Zoofagus. This was such a devastating blow that many metal musicians, who also used to play with him, lost their inspiration for many and many years. 2001 was a turning point, crappy millennium! This was a time when a new generation started to emerge in place of ours. Then many of us retreated into our shells watching from the sidelines as new movements, groups and music gradually appeared. Actually it can be said that the FAUSTTOPHEL project was “buried” in about 2003-2004. Some years after I moved to Russia where continued my creative activity as a drummer. In 2011, I learnt about the death of Vyacheslav Vyrvihvost (ex FAUSTTOPHEL guitarist)… Probably this was the very moment when something in me started aching and burning. I felt eager to do something, like in young days..) So I together with Valentin (MAU) Samokhin (keyboards and vocals) decided to “exhume” the project. As a result, in 2013 we recorded the “Thirst of Oblivion” album.
How would you describe your style? Which bands influenced your music?
In 1999, our style could be described as Black Metal. At that time we were inspired by such bands as Abigor, Dark Throne, Hecate Enthroned, Gorgoroth. Today’s material is, so to say, more mature. For the past 10-12 years our style was influenced by Emperor, Ihsahn, Old Man's Child, as well as diverse projects of a famous Swedish musician Dan Swano: Gates of Ishtar, Edge Of Sanity, Infestdead, Witherscape. At the time of release we labeled our style as Black Death Metal, but for one year of the album’s existence our listeners named it both Sympho Black, and Gotic, and Vampiric… It is probably the listener who should have the right to describe the style of music he or she is listening to…)))
Why should a metalhead buy your demos/albums?
…..)))) Does anyone buy demos in our time?!! 90% metalheads, at least in Russia, make monthly payments to access the Internet. 30$, and you can download during the whole month EVERYTHING you wish to listen or watch. Because of the web people even do not attend shows any more! And you ask me, “Why should a metalhead buy your demos/albums?” Our metalheads should better recollect how the metal movement began, what deficiencies and limitations existed! Today they have the whole world on their screens at a reasonable price. I don’t delude myself this way. And I don’t hunt after music, it finds me itself. And if I like it, I buy it. This is my advice for everyone!
What have you released so far and how were your releases received by the public/media?
FAUSTTOPHEL arose from the ashes only one year ago and released a debut album, only one..))) The listeners do not write to me personally, but acquaintances and friends recognize excellently done work. And we are truly grateful to them for this. As for mass media, their opinions differ… Journalists from national media express both keen interest and loyal attitude to our attempt to debut. After all, we’ve got fine quality of recording and Russian/Ukrainian lyrics, so this release could hardly go unnoticed by the audience from Ukraine. Russia, Belarus. As for European reviews, I do not fully understand them…) Some reviewers consider our music to be fairly dark and gloomy, others are dissatisfied with the lack of ravenous qualities in the material, which I would explain just by mere ignorance of languages used in the album. Somebody failed to understand what it’s all about at all. However, if we use a 10-point rating scale, the Europeans score us 6-8 points in average. I don’t know how I should treat or comment on this…
Do you play live as well? How's your live activity so far?
We have not played live so far. It was only recently that we’ve gathered musicians and rehearsed the material. Our first live performance is in September. And then… - YOUTUBE will tell..)))
What should labels/zines/promoters know about your band? Why should they be interested in it?
I can’t tell for sure what the interest may be… they can read reviews, interviews, or at last listen to our music. Maybe they’ll find something interesting. And I’d like them to know that we are always open for communication and discussion of mutually beneficial and interesting proposals …)))
What plans do you have for the near future as a band?
We are preparing new material for recording. Also we will try to get involved in live activity. Well, we’ll proceed as far as will be possible.
Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
I would suggest to type in the band’s name in a search engine, and it will give you lots of links both to shops and music forums. Good luck!
October 2014