Interview with VOLSHEBNIK

The other day, for some reason, I was drawn to look at releases of the extravagant label Winter Solace Productions at Discogs. Suddenly, this brought wonderful results. Seeing a little silly name “VOLSHEBNIK" (in Russian language, this word is an analogue of "wizard", but kinda softer, fairytale-style), I just chuckled, but then I saw the note “In Honor of the Blazebirth Hall”, turned it on, listened ... Ladies and gentlemen, before you, perhaps, is the most talented of the direct followers of the Hall, ahead of even the Brotherhood of Light bands. Instead of habitually reviewing the material I found, I decided to introduce you to the project through an interview, which was done in a surprisingly short time.

Hails! Since your band is fair BlazeBirth Hallworship, I think the most adequate first question is: what was your first encounter with BBHmusic like? What are your favorite BBH works?

V: Hails!

Well, it was a pretty foggy time in my life, but I know I first heard Branikald with the “Rdyandalir” album. I was then lucky enough to find Wotan Solv’s “Dreams of Baldr” and Branikald’s “The Triumph of the Will'' at a record store.

My favorite works from them are many but must include Raven Dark's "Foretasting Death by the Very Birth" demo, Branikald's "Blikk av Kald" and "Rising Up the Thing of the Winds", and Rundagor's "Stronghold of Ruin". I can’t leave out Nitberg’s “Nagelreid”, although that album captures a different spirit.

Did that music influenced your life on many levels or it was just music that you wanted to play? Why did you choose BBH worship instead of playing, say, more generalized Black or Pagan Metal?

V: I had never heard anything like it. Of course, I had heard many bands playing in "similar" styles, but there is a spirit in that music that I haven't found anywhere else in metal or otherwise. Their work also inspired me to further delve into classical music, something that is now a huge part of my life.

In that way there was not really a choice. I was compelled to recreate these sounds I was hearing in my own way.

Do you have any other musical projects?

V: At the moment, no. I have played guitar in a project for a long time, but as it is a proper band, things move very slowly. Recording is in progress, but as we are not living in the same area, it is touch and go.

I guess the name of the band came from Wizard, the session drummer that played on many releases of BBH. Why did you choose the “imported” version of it instead of calling your band just Wizard?

V: Believe it or not, that is actually not the origin. I didn't even make the connection myself until after I was set on the name. As an English speaker please pardon my ignorance.

It is a strange story. I won't say too much, but the name came from a conversation with an old man who was a stranger to me. He was asking me very specific questions about myself and my ancestry. By the end of the conversation, I knew the name of the project. I was in a very strange place at the time due to exhaustion, so I am not the most reliable narrator.

To be honest it’s still hard to comprehend that such a great BBH-style music was created in California, the place that is kind of opposite to the very aesthetical direction of the Hall. Maybe you have your roots elsewhere?

V: I appreciate the compliment. I have lived in California my entire life. That being said, it is very large and I have lived all over the state, from big cities to small towns.

Where I live now, and have lived for a while, is very rural. I can go days without seeing people if I choose. The summers are deathly hot and the winters are long and cold. I know the California that is in people's minds and I am not fond of it either.

Your first demo “The Forest of War" isn’t presented on Bandcamp, unlike all the other releases. Why?

V: The short answer is that it doesn't have a physical release and I didn't want a stray demo sitting around. Bandcamp is a means to an end, I don't really care too much about it. I made the CDrs myself because that is what I wanted out there. If someone wants the files I'm sure they can find them.

I will also say that I don't like the way things are headed on that platform regarding censorship, so I am not making a habit of it.

Your records include quite a lot of material, but in 2 years you already made 5 lengthy records. How long does it take to write an album / demo?

V: I usually work pretty quickly. If the inspiration is stronger, the music is composed faster. Sometimes there are long periods of time where I don't touch an instrument. I would say generally an album is composed and recorded in 2-3 months.

I assume that your two albums were recorded at some studio, while demos were made at home. Is that right? What is this studio?

V: Everything is recorded at my home. I have recorded in studio before and it is not for me.

I release music as demos because they are not complete thoughts, or I feel I am testing the waters with a new concept.

What equipment are you using while recording? Do you record everything by yourself?

V: Yes, I record alone. All of my equipment is old and not always in the best shape, but it is what I prefer. I also have never been one to put a lot of money into equipment. I prefer to find things second-hand or broken and fix them myself. I can't stand digital recording and I don't think that the "ease" of modern devices is good for what I do. There is no urgency when you can easily do another take or fix a mistake. Everything is to tape, either cassette or open reel.

To what extent do you share the National Socialism ideas of BBH? I also noticed the Fascia symbol at the back of one of your CDs.

V: The Fasces is a symbol of strength, and I believe this is what is lacking in our society these days, especially my country.

I don't want to pretend to be something I am not, so I will say I am not a very political person. I vastly prefer certain ideologies and cultures to others, but in this modern age I believe people will destroy anything brought to them.

That being said, I believe fascism to be the only logical form of government.

Your song lyrics remain unpublished so far, why? What is the ideology behind the band? Do your albums have different concepts or it’s more or less the same?

V: I would say all the music deals with similar concepts; hatred of this modern age and culture, superiority, retribution, and a communication with the spirit. I have my own philosophies and my own truths.

Regarding the lyrics, I simply didn't have the facilities to print them on the CDrs, and I certainly wasn't going to type them up on Bandcamp for anyone to read. All further pressings of Volshebnik material will have lyrics (except for the "to inflame..." album as they were lost after recording was completed).

So far, your works are self-released or released by very, very underground labels like First Spell and Winter Solace. Is that conscious choice or there were no other opportunities? Also, I’ve heard from Winter Solace owner that your albums will have pro CD treatment very soon (because at the moment some of them only available on CD-R and cassettes), is that true?

V: I have no desire to have my music reach a "larger" audience, especially in these times. These smaller labels reach anyone who is worthy of hearing this music in my opinion. I will also say that I am not concerned about a timeline. This music isn't going anywhere and the right people will find it in their own time.

As for First Spell, I reached out regarding Vingþórr. I wanted to express that I thought our projects had something in common and that I thought it was great work. They were kind enough to release my first album and I am grateful to them for it.

Winter Solace is a label I respect. There are many criticisms of WS but to me they are bullshit. If you don't care for it, don't buy it. I am grateful to have a label in the USA that is not afraid to release NSBM, and also won't be jewish about the prices.

Finally, yes, the last 2 albums, plus a new full-length are being released by Winter Solace. I am not sure of a timeline, but I would say you can expect them sooner than later.

What are your plans with VOLSHEBNIK for the nearest future?

V: I plan on continuing as I have been. I am not sure about the way it will progress, but I am sure it will.

Do you follow the modern US Black Metalcene? What is your opinion on it? More precisely, do you think it still has any chance to turn into something respectable, with all these cuckolds, subhumans and antifa swarming on it?

V: The trend of "vampiric" faggots running around releasing nonsense to cassettes is merely that, a trend. Any Black Metal aligning with leftist Ideologies is the same. They will be forgotten soon enough and the true bands will always continue. There are many great bands in the USA if you know where to look.

As for Antifa and such, it is a problem that I don't see getting any better. The championing of obesity, sexuality/gender swapping, transvestites, and all this egocentric bullshit. Not to mention the pathetic "white guilt" and general moral decline of our youth. I am lucky that I live in a place where I don't have to see this shit every day. Mother nature has always had a way of "dealing" with such things and they will surely get what they deserve!

That’s all for now, thank you for your time! If you have something to add, be my guest.

V: Thank you! I appreciate the interest and your hard work.

I would like to thank all who have supported this project so far, and more importantly, those who continue to support the true art of Black Metal. These fucking weasels trying to put out the flame will always fail. It is futile and they will rot in the very same cesspool they are creating.

Until next time!