Rarog

History of Rarog-band takes its roots in the mid-nineties. It started when permanent leader of the group, Alexander "Shmel" Shvilev wrote few compositions in the genre of pagan metal, which saw the light of the project Dreaming Soul. Subsequently, these compositions were recorded and included in the debut album. The name "Rarog" was chosen in the 2004. Then leader and the same time bass-player Alexander"Shmel" Shvilev and guitar-player Alexander "Morriarti" Sinitsyn, with whom they once played together in a group of Stonehenge, finally decided on a musical genre and chosen the path of pagan metal. The structure of the band was finally confirmed when another guitar-player Nikita Akselenko and drummer Vadim Semenov (ex-Rest In Pain) joined "Rarog". At that point the band started working hard on the program and prepared for the studio-recording of their first album. Album "Az' Boga Vedau" was released two years later, in 2006. The material was recorded on home studio of "Bumblebee". Female vocals were performed by Natalie «Gerard» Romanenko. The album includes both old, slightly overworked songs as well as brand new songs. Lyrics were written under impression of "Star book of Kalyada" by Alexander Asov. The release was well received by the public, and the band began an active concert schedule. In May 2006, Nikita Akselenko was drafted into the army.By that time the band makes an unexpected decision and takes talented keyboard-player Anna Bodrova to replace missing guitar lines. Musical material gets a second life and shows itself in a new way. But relations start to deteriorate within the band : during the autumn of 2007 due to creative differences one of the founders of the project, Alexander Sinitsyn, leaves "Rarog".Vadim Prokofiev (Roudolph Diesel) comes to replace the missing guitar-player."Rarog" has continues its concert activity and working on new songs as well In January 2008, Anna Bodrovа leaves “Rarog” and place of keyboardist remains empty. During the fall of 2008, the band replenishes with female singer Yara. “Rarog” now consists of four members: bassist - Alexander Shvilev, guitarist - Vadim Prokofiev, drummer - Vadim Semenov and Yara representing vocals. Such a guileless reshuffle gives a strong creative impulse: the band starts to work hard on new songs and prepare material for their second album, with the working title "Rise up, Sun!". Musical “substance” for the new album promises to be more severe and progressive, interspersed with doom and death metal shades. It becomes obvious that to provide the desired density and succulence to the sound - the arrangement needs a second guitar: since the autumn of 2009. Pavel "Smolsky" Zhdanovich becomes a second guitar-player. Winter ‘10 singer Yara leaves the band. Alexandra Sidorova arrives as her successor, known for her former work in a band called “Valley of the Moon”. “Rarog” begins recording their second album. At the same time the drummer, Vadim Semenov, leaves the band. During the period of searching for a permanent member, seat at the drum kit is occupied by Andrey Ischenko. Another change occurs in “Rarog”: Pavel Zhdanovich leaves the group, but friendly collective of the band rejoins with a new member - drummer Nikita Polezhayev. Work on the plate "Rise up, Sun!" is coming to an end. In January 2011 the album hits the shelves, and the band continues its concert activity. Russian Progressive-Pagan-Folk Metal Band