1998 has been a dreadful year for Russia. A financial collapse and the health situation of the living dead president Boris Jeltsin, has contributed to this nightmare- situation. Despite of this; there is actually a strong metal scene in Russia. This scene is mostly situated around Mr. Eugene Aksenov and his record label MetalAgen Records. We got his address and sent him an interview sheet. He answered back in an e-mail.
Strangely enough; he rarely been interviewed before by a magazine from the Western Europe. That says a lot about the priorities among the magazines & fanzines over here. We are proud to include this interview in our magazine.



1. Please tell us when and where Metalagen Records was started up. What did you do before you started your label ?

For the first time the label ‘MetalAgen’ appeared on HELLRAISER «We’ll Bury You» LP (thrash metal from Moscow). This album was released in 1990. That time there were not heavy metal products in Russia practically. And more than 100,000 copies of this LP was sold out in Russia. But neither I nor musicians got money because the State took almost all the profit. That years the communists ruled. Before I started my label I worked at a concert agency.

2. Why did you start Metalagen Records ?

I started MetalAgen Records to help the Russian new-born heavy metal underground.

3. In addition to the record label; are Metalagen Records involved in other businesses ?

Besides recording, MetalAgen tries to distribute the products of similar labels (domestic and foreign), and also to do merchandise, to organize shows, fests and gigs, to do our magazine. As for the last (i.e. magazine), it was called «Deathrider», and 5 issues of that magazine was published. But now we prepare the new one under new magazine name.
Since 1993 we organize Deathrider Fest every year. Many bands from former Soviet Rupublics and from Europe took part there. In March 1998 the first MetalAgen Fest was carried out. The best bands of my label - GODS TOWER, END ZONE, GORESLEEPS, GREAT SORROW - performed there. And PARADISE LOST was invited.

4. How many records has Metalagen Records released so far ? Could you please give us a presentation of these releases ?

Now MetalAgen has more than 50 titles in its catalogue. 5 of them are in LP-format, 13 titles are in CD and MC formats and the rest of the catalogue is in MC-format only. People of Russia can not purchase many CDs, CDs are too expensive. As for MCs, cassettes are cheaper and many tape copies are sold. Also we have a big problem - pirate activity. Russia is a large country, it’s too hard to fight against the audio pirates.

5. How many people are now involved in Metalagen Records ?

I worked alone too long, but since last year two persons help me.

6. When you approach a band; what are the most important reasons for you to sign the band ??

The most important things to me are good musical program and record quality.
I start to sign contracts a few months ago. Earlier I did not sign contracts because nobody knew the sense of it. (I told you yet about Hellraiser; the profit of their products was taken by the state). After manufacturing, musicians took 10% of all number of copies and sold it. Thus they got money. That time and at the present too, it is too hard to sell CDs and tapes of domestic heavy metal bands. It is impossible practically. This kind of music is in underground. There are not TV programms, not radio programms about heavy music. Some magazines are published but in small numbers of copies. Establishment is contact with pop music only, moreover this music is of poor quality often. I must say that there are many good musicians who can play different kinds of music but they don’t do it because it is not profitable to play art rock, progressive, and also jazz, country, folk, etc. Only pop music (slang: ‘popsa’) is everywhere.
Economic and political crisis storms in Russia now, as you probably know. And establishment wants to distract the people from many problems. Pop music is a better means for it.
You can call me sponsor or patron of the music arts. I take credit (money) for recording producing and CD/tapes manufacturing. But it is too difficult to return money back. I have arrears. And musicians and I - we all live in the hope of good and bright future when hard’n’heavy rock will grow up in Russia as in the world. Probably it will but now many people don’t know anything about the existance of such kind of music. One of our ways out is to offer our music abroad.
I think nobody who did not live in Russia can not understand our way of life. It is not simple to understand the Russians. I see we have another mind.

7. So far; is it any releases/bands you wish you never became involved with/in ?

It is pity that I worked with the bands that betrayed me. I mean ‘Nokturnal Mortum’ and ‘Mental Home’. I made good promotion for them, I spent many money, my power and forces to develop these bands. When I started to deal with them they were unknown musicians. But good shows and press reviews (that appeared with my money) made these bands distinguished from the rest our underground. I sent many promo materials in many foreign magazines. And after short time these musicians were getting proud, they though they were big stars (though I have to say that their skill was getting better). We did not signed any contracts, we trusted one another. There is a Russian proverb ‘the word of Russian merchant is stronger than any paper agreement’. And I met all my obligations and I hoped we should co-operate. But they let me down. They signed with their American friends (who are Russian by birth). That guys registrated their label specially for ‘Nokturnal Mortum’ and ‘Mental Home’. Also they want ‘End Zone’ and ‘Gods Tower’ to leave me but these bands are more honest. Now the law situation is more stabilized and at present I always sign with the bands I want to deal with. Yes, I made many mistakes but I’ve got great experience.

8. On the positive side; is it any signings you are especially satisfied with or you would love to be included in your obituary in 70-80 years time ?

I am very glad and satisfied with GODS TOWER, GORESLEEPS and END ZONE. (In spite of END ZONE’s third album that is made by musicians themselves, we have common understanding.)

9. This is probably a very stupid question, but I am living in Scotland: Has the recent political and economic problems in Russia made your life harder ? What kind of problems has you got as result of these problems ? Please give us an insight in your daily life in Russia….

I told you about our economic situation partly yet (see point 6). Now I can add something. Recently, in August this year, economic crisis ravage many record labels. Rouble is fallen. Prices are growing up. Banks do not operate in correct way. So many people can not purchase CDs and MCs. We are forced to sell our products by low prices, practically without any profit.

10. To continue down this line: Is it difficult to run a record label from Russia ? What is the main problems and advantages being based in Russia ?

Yes, it is very difficult to do it. It is very unprofitable business. There are only a few record labels in Russia. As for heavy music, there is only one record label (besides my one), it is in Smolensk and called ‘R.I.P.’. Only 5 releases (3 CD/MC and 2 MC) were published by this label. Herein I do not tell you about 2 or 3 small unregistered label with their bad products of very poor record quality. Also I do not tell about other countries that were Republics of the former USSR - Ukraine, Byelorussia (Belarus), Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia. They are other separate countries now.

11. How is the metal scene in Russia now ? Please give us an insight.

In Russia there are many talented musicians. The misery is our problem. Good studios are placed in Moscow only. And they are too expensive as instruments, apparatuses, etc. Many bands have not any possibility to realize their creative thoughts and ideas. But I am sure, Russia will meet all the best. I can tell you about each genre separately:
- progressive, techno-death: END ZONE (Moscow), ORTHANC (Moscow), TALES OF DARK NORD (Volgograd), SIEGED MIND (Tula), CRENOUER (Perm).
- doom metal, gothic: GODS TOWER (Belarus, not Russia), GORESLEEPS (Moscow), MENTAL HOME (Moscow), REGRESSUS AD INFINITUM (Moscow), DECEPTIVE (Moscow), and many others.
black metal: THRON’ (Moscow), DEMONS OF GUILIOTINS and NOKTURNAL MORTUM from Ukraine. Recently many new bands appeared.

12. I have vivid memories about bands like Kruiz, Shah and Gorky Park. Please tell us where these bands are now.

‘Kruiz’ went to USA in early nineties and faded away there. Valery Gaina, the frontman of ‘Kruiz’, works as consultant in a musical instrument store.
‘Shah’ is in Moscow, but nothing to hear of them. Anton Garsia, the leader of the band, is busy with some techno-industrial projects. Recently, CD of his project ‘Descent’ was published.
‘Gorky Park’ releases their albums at ‘popsa’ Soyuz-Studio. Good sale, thanks to good Soyuz advertisements. But it is not heavy metal. I think it would not be a subject of interest abroad Russia.

13. What is your release plan ? Could you please present these releases for us ?

It is difficult to make some plans in the situation like ours. Anyway, my nearest releases are:
November - EPILEPSY BOOUT «Vacuum» CD/MC - slam core like Biohazard
December - FORGIVE~ME~NOT «Tearfall» CD/MC - ultra melodic heavy wave
December - ASH «Golova» (‘The Head’) MC - psycho metal on Russian
January ‘99 - FORGIVE~ME~NOT «Spaceapple» CD/MC
14. Besides of the release plan; what is your future plans for Metalagen Records ?

What will be in the further future? - Time will show.

15. Finally; when you have closed the door to the office and desperate need a rest. What is your favorite music, except the kind of music you work with ?? What is your favorite past- time activities ??

Every my every working day my head swells with different sounds of many extreme albums. Ha ha. At home I listen to the music of many genres, often I listen to the ‘old’ music - of sixties, seventies and eighties. I like Beatles, Rolling Stones, Queen, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Slade, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep and also ABBA, Secret Service. As for new bands, I like Limbonic Art, Arcturus, Anticrisis, Covenant, Rage.
So, there are many kinds of music, many bands and more albums, it is hard to select something.
I hope you are satisfied with my interview. Thank you. I understand that I speak English not well enough, excuse me.

We are more than satisfied with this interview. The interview gives a very interesting perspective about the whole metal scene. We urge all our readers to support Eugene Aksenov & MetalAgen Records work in Russia. Get in touch with him at e- mail address:

aliaev@cd.soyuz.ru

You can send snail- mail to:

Metalagen Records
PO Box 179
Glavpochtampt 5C-O/D
101000 Moscow
RUSSIA

Or fax them at:
0095 2678803

Support the metal scene in Russia !!!!