http://www.myspace.com/thenailsband
Dinara Izmaylova --- Keyboards
Bahtiyar Aliyev --- Vocals, Bass
Ziyad Gasanov --- Vocals, Guitars
The metal movement in Azerbaidjan is probably the youngest of the scenes in the three nations of the Caucasus. It's very hard to find information on the internet and it seems that it only started like 5 or 10 years ago. Nevertheless the scene has been on the rise for quite a while now. Especially the booming capital Baku is a motor for the expansion of the Azeri metal scene. One of the most established acts in the country are THE NAILS, who already started out in 2007. We're glad to have them an for an exclusive interview for this blog.
Let's start with something basic: Can you please tell us something about the history of THE NAILS?
Let's start with something basic: Can you please tell us something about the history of THE NAILS?
The story of THE NAILS started in 2007. There were only two guys in the beginning: Ziyad Gasanov (guitar/growl) and Bakhtiyar Aliev (bass guitar and scream). They also had their friend Yagub Kuliev as their drummer in their line-up, but he didn’t take part in the band's live shows until he was prepared enough. The first concert they took part in was Dark Line Festival II, in Baku in summer 2008. It was very successful. In December 2008 Dinara Izmaylova (keyboards) joined the boys. At that moment the style the band was playing was something like dark/folk metal.
In 2010 we released our debut album ‘Стремление к жизни’ [Quest for life] but soon after that our guitar player Ziyaf Gasanov left for New York and we had to find someone else again. It wasn’t easy, every month or even week we had to find new band members, but in the end Emin Bayramov joined us. We played only a few concerts with this line-up: Bakhtiyar Aliev (bass/vocals), Dinara Izmaylova (keyboards), Yagub Kuliev (drums) and Emin Bayramov (guitar). Then Bakhtiyar Aliev also left us. From that moment we, already for the second time, had difficulties to find a stable line-up, but we could somehow manage it. Now the members are: Yagub Kuliev (drums), Dinara Izmaylova (keyboards/ vocals), Emin Bayramov (guitar), Bob Suleymanov (guitar), Bashir Kitachaev (bass) and Seymur Khalilov (vocals growl).
In 2010 we released our debut album ‘Стремление к жизни’ [Quest for life] but soon after that our guitar player Ziyaf Gasanov left for New York and we had to find someone else again. It wasn’t easy, every month or even week we had to find new band members, but in the end Emin Bayramov joined us. We played only a few concerts with this line-up: Bakhtiyar Aliev (bass/vocals), Dinara Izmaylova (keyboards), Yagub Kuliev (drums) and Emin Bayramov (guitar). Then Bakhtiyar Aliev also left us. From that moment we, already for the second time, had difficulties to find a stable line-up, but we could somehow manage it. Now the members are: Yagub Kuliev (drums), Dinara Izmaylova (keyboards/ vocals), Emin Bayramov (guitar), Bob Suleymanov (guitar), Bashir Kitachaev (bass) and Seymur Khalilov (vocals growl).
How did you get the idea to start a Black Metal band? Who are your idols and influences?
Actually we have never played real Black Metal, maybe in the beginning our music had some shades of it. As for me black metal is not only music but also ideology, and we have nothing to do with it. With our first line-up we played dark metal with elements of folk metal. We played covers of black metal bands because some of us were really fond of this style, but we never had it as our music style proper. On our next stage the presence of folk metal in our music had become more dominant and it became more folk than dark.
Now we decided to move on with our dark/folk metal but also try to play something new. From the beginning we had the idea of mixing metal and classical music and now we are doing that. We play neoclassic metal as well as dark/folk. Also we can mix a few styles in one song. You know each of our members has his individuality, his own character and preferences. We all listen to very different styles of music. But we are creating our music all together, so everyone may add something to a song from the style that he likes.
Are there any problems when it comes to playing Black Metal in an islamic country like Azerbaidjan?
You know our metal world is underground. Not many people even know about our activities or existence. So playing black metal is quite OK for the group of people who understand such kind of music. For example our friends "Vozmezdie" black/pagan metal are quite popular here.
Of course as in all countries there are people who stand against Black metal. Though in Iran and in Pakistan or wherever else Black metal can be prohibited or somehow punished but here in Azerbaijan we don’t live within Muslim law (sharia) we are a secular state. Of course if the black metal would reach TV or radio it will come across with disapprobation that can be stronger than in Europe, but not as radical as in Iran.
Of course as in all countries there are people who stand against Black metal. Though in Iran and in Pakistan or wherever else Black metal can be prohibited or somehow punished but here in Azerbaijan we don’t live within Muslim law (sharia) we are a secular state. Of course if the black metal would reach TV or radio it will come across with disapprobation that can be stronger than in Europe, but not as radical as in Iran.
Everyone has a choice to believe or not to believe. Most of us are atheists but we are quite tolerant. The only thing that we stand against is a religion fanaticism which is a real sickness of mind.
Why are your lyrics and songs in Russian?
Our lyrics used to be in Russian because it is our mother-tongue and the language of our thoughts and feelings. Now we write our lyrics in other languages as well. In most cases it’s English but it can be again Russian or even Spanish it depends on mood and thoughts. We have a belief that every language has its emotional and mental spectrum. If we know the language well enough to be able to think and verbally imagine in it we can correspond our emotional state to a particular language which matches better.
Live in Baku, 30th of January 2011
Live in Baku, 30th of January 2011
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