Fresh off the release of their new massive single “Ritual”, Moscow based post metal band NASKA are joining us to unveil some of the interesting details and background behind their project and the new hard-hitting offering. To celerate, we sat down to learn about their perspective on their local music community and get their top selections for best bands, songs, and albums from the post metal genre. We got a lot more than expected. Check out the full feature below and get inspired!
“In addition to the process of music and its holistic story creation, we were inspired by the well-known phenomena in the southern part of the Peruvian plateau Nazca: many kilometers of ancient geoglyphs depicting animals, geometric figures and line complexes.” – explains the band’s lyricist Nastya. “Till now it is not known, why the inhabitants of the plateau drew these lines and drawings. One of the versions is that this way they tried to contact the gods and through drawings transmit them certain messages.”
“In the forties, the German scientist Maria Reiche attracted public attention to this previously discovered phenomenon by her studies dedicated to its origin and possible reasons of creation. Her research strongly influenced the textual content of all releases. And we tried to narrate musically and contextually the story of an ancient people who lived on a plateau and endured physical torment from harsh living conditions, as well as metaphysical experiences and a thirst for the support of higher powers along with a great desire to get answers to the eternal questions of existence.”
“The lyrics tell a story (in contrast to previous materials) about the spiritual experiences of one of the plateau dwellers. According to archaeological data, some of the pilgrims sacrificed themselves to the gods to find unity with them. Also, their specialists practiced trephination of skulls, as it was believed that through such a hole, made in a certain part of the head, one could contact higher powers. The cover depicts the Tumi knife that was used to perform such cruel ritual operations.”
Naska are: Den B: bass, Den G: guitar, Misha: guitar, Pasha: drums, Vitya: vocals,
“I can’t say that I was influenced by something definite, but when I first heard this track, there was no doubt: everything is in its place and sounds organic. I didn’t want to change anything, just embellish it creatively and add a little volume to the sound.” – adds Den G. “And that’s what I managed to do. I personally like everything, it sounds really cool.”
Misha agrees and expounds a bit by saying that “the release is remarkable because we approached the recording and writing much more professionally, and the result, I think, proves it. In terms of content, the track is as simple as possible, but that’s what I value it for. We didn’t have to bother with some particularly complicated guitar parts, which, in a way, was an inspiration.”
“The work turned out to be very meditative, just as I wanted it to sound. Despite the fact that the content describes quite bloody scenes.” – concludes Pasha.
Asked about the technical details and the creative process behind this recording, Den B commented: “As Misha has already mentioned, this time we were more thoughtful about the recording, thanks to our friend Paul G., who helped us to produce the track – recorded, mixed and mastered it.The drums and vocals were recorded in the studio, the rest of the instruments were recorded at home, using all our basic effects. Anthrazit records label helps with promotion on streaming platforms.”
Naska formed 3 years ago and the new single marks their third studio release.
Den B: “The band started in 2017. In the same year, the first album “Huk” was released, and it shaped the concept.”
“The main protagonist of the album is Huk, which means “The First” – the high priest. On behalf of his people, suffering from hunger and thirst in the dried-up desert land, Huk appeals to the gods who seem to have left these places forever.”
Nastya: “The following tracks describe certain geoglyphs (their real coordinates are given in the track names): the spider, which according to some legends “weaved” the universe, the hummingbird, the condor. The First addresses his prayers to the divine personifications of these animals, hoping that they will forgive their sins and save his people. Through these drawings, they tried to convey their messages.”
Den B: “In 2018, a second album consisting of two overflowing pieces was created. It was named Eclipse. It tells about almost united geoglyphs of a Tree and Hands, which personified the prayer, as well as the now lost fertility of once rich lands.”
Vitya: “During this time, we have participated in many interesting concerts in different cities of Russia, and also held a large number of small local events.”
Den B: “In April 2019 our drummer Sasha passed away. Obviously, that time was very difficult for us, and our creative work practically stopped. We gave up participating in events and lost interest in many things.”
“After some time, the guys from the Grottos band offered to play a concert together with the Reka band. We asked Pasha to help with this, as we had no drummer at that time. And after that, he stayed with us on a permanent basis.”
“In 2020, our guitarist Maksim left the band, and then Pasha proposed Den G. The band regained its unity and we gained enough creative and emotional resources to create and record this single.”
Asked about their plans for the coming weeks and months, the band revealed: “Sometime the next month we are planning on making an acoustic version of the single, which will be recorded together with the violin (Olesya) and cello (Ekaterina). Also we plan to release a live video. And we still continue to work actively on our new full-length album. We hope that next year we will be able to start recording it.”
Misha: “First of all, of course, we need to release a full-length album.”
Pasha: “An album (or better several albums), tours, launching merch production and vinyl. But most importantly, the interaction with other teams; and not only the local ones.”
“At the moment I have only one goal – to finish and release the album as soon as possible.” – agrees Den G.
Curious about their inspirations and other records that caught their attention recently, we asked the band to give us their new music tips and here’s what we got.
Den B: “In 2019 we were pleased with new album from Cult of Luna – as you know, it is one of the most outstanding bands for the world music community, just as Russian Circles, they surely inspire many, and it is always interesting to expect something new from them.”
“Downfall of Gaia, Moth Gatherer, Numenorian, Pelican, Rorcal, ROSK, Alcest, Big Brave, Hvosch, and a performer called Chelsea Wolfe also continue to delight. And, of course, the long-awaited Tool.
Also this year we really hope to hear a full-length album from our friends – the Wowod band, who have already released a single and a video.”
Misha: “I believe Architects’ Holy Hell is one of the coolest metal albums in recent years.”
Den G: “Full of Hell, Neurosis, Birds in row, Baptist, Orchid, Downfall of Gaia, Throwers, Cult of Luna, Wiegedood, AMENRA – inspired the most. In general, I think that musical genres, artists themselves and their instruments are developing at an amazing speed. More and more new releases are coming out. Recently, I was very impressed by the American composer William Basinski, in particular the remastered version of the 2003 The Disintegration Loops II.”
Den B: “In 2020 new albums were released by Audn, Emma Ruth Rundle with the Thou band, Sumac, The Ocean, Pallbearer, Frayle, Grave Disgrace – doom from St. Petersburg, and Naat, while the Old Man Gloom released two albums at once.”
The band lists Wowod, Reka, Grave disgrace, Trna, Hvosch, and Somna as top up-and-coming post metal bands worth your attention.
“Our top bands for the post metal genre are beyond any doubt Neurosis, AMENRA, Fall of Efrafa, ISIS, Cult of Luna, and Russian Circles.”
Here’s our top 10 post metal songs worth checking out:
– Tool – Parabola,
– ISIS – In fiction,
– Russian Circles – Harper Lewis,
– AMENRA – A solitary reign,
– Fall of Efrafa – Warren of snares,
– Cult of Luna – The fall,
– Old Man Gloom – Death Rhymes,
– Downfall of Gaia – Ephemerol,
– Wowod – v nas net lubvi,
– Reka – Deconveue
Top essential albums would be:
– Wowod – Nutro,
– Neurosis – Fires Within Fires,
– Throwers – Loss,
– AMENRA – Mass VI,
– Pantera – Cowboys from Hell,
– Fall of Efrafa – Inle,
– Birds in row – Personal War,
– Cult of Luna – Vertikal,
– Abest – Bonds of Euphoria,
– Messa – Feast for Water
“Our top record selection goes to Sylosis – Cycle of Suffering”
Top live videos:
Neurosis live at Musiktheater Bad on June 13 (1996)
Neurosis “Locust Star” live at Ozzfest
Speaking on their local music community and the impact of COVID-19 related limitations, the band shared the following:
Den G: “One can talk about COVID-19, the general situation in the world and how bad things are forever, but all these things are already clear to everyone. Neither concerts, nor tours are being organized, so the labels, bookings and concert venues bear huge losses. However, if you look from the other side, new broadcasting formats that had less attention before are now developing much more actively, for instance streaming, lives, etc. And they are doing quite well! One more advantage is that any musicians you ask about business or creativity would say that he’s working on a new material and recording a new album. It so happened that we are all now playing by the rules of COVID-19, we have nowhere to rush, and we can write something new in a calm atmosphere.”
Pasha: “The local scene is developing steadily, but very slowly, which is quite good in general. As Den G has already mentioned, COVID-19 caused serious damage to local clubs, which are not so numerous.”
Misha: “It is clear that the music scene is going through quite tough times in these conditions, especially in terms of performances. For the rest, nothing has really changed for me.”
Lastly, the band shares a couple of noteworthy books worth diving into this autumn:
– The Chrysalids by Jonh Windham,
– Watership down by Richard Adams,
– Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell,
– Remembrance of Earth’s Past by Liu Cixin,
– The Road by Cormac McCarthy,
– MaddAddam Trilogy by Margaret Atwood,
– Blindsight by Peter Watts,
– The Bull’s Hour by Ivan Yefremov,
– Ugly Swans (Lame Fate) by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky,
– Story of Your Life by Ted Chiang
