You define ORA PRO NOBIS as «progressive doom metal band», why so? Do you have any special reasons for calling your band this way?

- Well, this question is rather retrospective, since we used this definition only during first years of our band’s existence and now it lost it’s actuality. Under the word ‘progressive’ we implied incorporating elements of other musical genres into our music, conscious getting rid of canons and bounds of any style. We united in order to play emotional and sincere music, with each accord geared towards certain eventual goal. Doom metal appeared as the gate to musical words for us, especially considering the fact that in 1994 it was one of the most perspective and modern orientations. We always liked and still like this music, however already during «Dedication» album’s recording we’ve gone quite far from the schemes of doom. Stylistic demands often were at variance with our own ideas, and somehow our band moved to more traditional heavy music, renouncing of brutal and extreme sound in exchange for greater tunefulness. In the same time we don’t forget about our roots and, who knows, maybe some day we’ll return to more heavy sound.... But right now I consider ‘doom’ is appropriate definition for ORA PRO NOBIS only when it comes to atmosphere - melacholic and sad... As to ‘progressive’... As I already said it was never meant to reckon us in musical genre of the same name. We never avoided to create syncopic riffs and complicated compositions, however it’s rather obvious that we have nothing to do with such bands as f.ex. DREAM THEATER or FATES WARNING. So, the term ‘progressive doom metal’ appertains to the past - at least first two words in it, although I still hope that ‘progressive’ elements will obtain it’s realization in future...

 

Let’s extend in your band’s past a bit... What events which occured during the existence of ORA PRO NOBIS would you name as the most important for the band and you personally?

- I guess, I won’t say anything new here... Looking into our band’s bio will be enough - birth in 1994, «Ora Pro Nobis» name’s appearance in a year and a half after it, first gigs... We were seriously affected by all lineup changes, aseach musician brought his own ideas into our music and, while departuring, carried away his musical thinking, which inevitably rendered serious changes on band’s music in a whole. As far as ORA PRO NOBIS since the very beginning was and still is the band of musicians possessing equal rights, each of them, conditionally speaking, does everything he wants to (of course if it suits all other bandmembers), we always try to reach compromise between out rather various and sometimes polar tastes, in order to make songs which would appeal to each of us. I believe that this is one of most important reasons, explaining our permanent and often unexpected rpogress. Studio work also did a great impact on us. We always tried to do our best... each hour spent in there was equal to week of standard rehearsals... After studio session our band appreciably grew up professionally; studio revealed our mistakes and showed the ways and directions of further progress... Perhaps, the last important event referred to «Dedication’s» release on Metal Agen Records, which was delayed for a long, long time... Of course, this material is a bit old now, as our music changed rather drastically during this 1, 5 year, which passed after this album’s recording. So «Dedication» doesn’t show our present state of affairs - even the same songs which were features on it sound very different now. However, I’m glad that many people finally have a chance to discover our music... even if it’s not actual anymore...

As far as I know, you wrote lyrics in Russian since the early days of your existence... What is it - a simple craving towards originality or something else? Do they have any concrete meaning or you write them in a kinda abstract way? And who is Zinaida Gippius?

- First of all, Russian lyrics appear as a sober estimation of our possibilities. We never wanted to conquer whole world since the very beginning and never asserted that ORA PRO NOBIS is directed exclusively towards Europe and USA, like GREAT SORROW did... If we play gigs in Russia and our albums are accessible only here, writing lyrics in foreign language (while most of Russian fans are unconversant with it) simply makes no sense... Besides, we don’t want to turn our works into a parody, like many Russian bands do. Majority of them almost don’t have a good command of English, however they force themselves to create illitirate constructions which sound extremely irritating because of awful pronunciation, so we can only surmise about their meaning... As to lyrics on «Dedication» - three of them were written by Dmitriy and our former bassist Andrey, who contributed his poetry in one song. I wouldn’t call them abstract. I believe that they’re mirroring our personal experiences, emotions, feelings, thoughts of human’s place in this world, of certain supreme forces, which rule over us... Lyrics are as important as music and they’re strongly linked with it, being very serious and sincere... If lyrics are worse than music or vice versa, song won’t come out - it would be lifeless... Of course, all afore-said doesn’t mean that ORA PRO NOBIS rejects English. If we had a chance of presenting our creations abroad, we won’t be able to neglect the necessity of overcoming linguistic barrier, therefore our songs will be performed in English... but only then when we realize that we’ll manage to do it on sufficiently high level. Generally speaking, I’m surprised that singing in our native language is considered as something strange in Russia. I guess that you won’t find anything alike in other countries... Judging by reviews in various foreign ‘zines, Russian language adds more colour and attractiveness to our music... moreover it suits our quite slow compositions much better than short and jerky English words. As far as I’m concerned, asking question like «who is Zinaida Gippius», you’re strongly cunning, aren’t you? Classic Russian poetess, who immigrated in France right after 1917-year revolution, D. Merezkovsky’s wife and close friend of Nadezda Teffy, bright representative of symbolism’s current - her name should be familiar to each cultured Russian man.  In her lyrics we found astonishingly deep reflection of our state during that time, mystical penetration and undertanding. They beared both, feeling of doom and fatigue, and in the same time - hope and selfconfidence... Spiritual eminince and earnestness of these lyrics were inherited by us - it was the beginnings of changes, which took place in our music since «Doomed» on the way to «Dedication». Elevated poetry demanded an adequate musical realization, therefore we diverged from aggressive doom / death sound, developing our own style, accentuated on melody and organic sound of the whole material. Bestial growls couldn’t get along together with words of love and god, consequently Dmitriy (who didn’t even want to hear about it), began to improve his singing capabilities. A year and a half passed since we recorded «Dedication» so this album doesn’t really show the present situation with vocals. On the threshold of our new album, I can only assure you that we the only metal band in St. Petersburg who have vocalist really able to SING nowadays. Dmitriy’s improvement is amazing, soon he won’t yield to professional singers - and this is the same guy, who participated in the «Doomed's» recording three years ago!

Few words regarding your deal with Metal Agen Records... Will they release «Dedication» on CD’s?

- As far as I understood, Metal Agen doesn’t appear as a label in true sense of this word. Usually, after signing a band, European / American companies don’t come to nothing more than just releasing an album - they try to do their best in promotion, organize gigs, tours, etc. Our cassette release was delayed for a long, long time, the cover was simply a slapdosh, we didn’t notice any promotion, promised concerts also stayed only as «promised» ones... Perhaps, CD will be finally released, however I doubt if it finds it’s listener, because all kinds of music music have property to become «outdated». Besides, we changed our direction a bit once more, so this CD will create wrong impression of us. And I believe that new album will be released on CD’s even earlier than «Dedication». But all these negative aspects are out-weighed by one important circumstance - Price is one of the few men in Russia, who truly supports our underground scene. If he and Metal Agen Recs. were non-existent, most of bands could release their creations only as self-financed ones - we were made certain that not that much people are interested in extreme music. And with absent distribution it’s hopeless... Therefore, I still hope that they’ll get things going and half-year delayed releases will become irrietrievable past...

Your not so long ago released demo contained three songs of extremely depressive doom metal with use of violin, horribly long songs and evident influence of MY DYING BRIDE... That’s why I was almost shocked after listening to «Dedication», since you changed your style drastically... What caused such changes and what may we expect from ORA PRO NOBIS in future?

- Don’t forget that ORA PRO NOBIS wasn’t the only band, who changed their style in such a way - all these  changes are quite typical for the kind of music we perform. Many extreme bands turn into gothic ones - PARADISE LOST, THE GATHERING, CREMATORY, the same goes for MY DYING BRIDE. Besides, «Doomed» and «Dedication» were recorded basically by two different bands. Nastya’s (violin) depature, appearance of keyboards and second guitar - all this brought us to inevitable changes.  Besides, new songs qualitatively differed from the old ones, and we couldn’t create them in the same style as our former material. All changes in our band’s sound went on slow and naturally - we constantly experimented with it, acquired experience... The thing is that studio sessions (just like the photos) reflect the certain momentary condition, not the whole way, disregarded by our music... Therefore, the origin of all these changes is simply natural progress. We don’t have anything to do with those bands, who once discovered the certain direction and confine themselves to it during all their existence. If we won’t change our music further, ORA PRO NOBIS simply splits up... Right now it’s hard to tell what awaits us in future. Maybe our sound will turn into more brutal... maybe we’ll embark on the ‘progressive’ path... or begin to compose more simple tunes with minimal accompaniment and special emphasis layed on vocals... Most likely, ORA PRO NOBIS will combine all aforementioned approaches.
 
I noticed some biblical motifs in your lyrics... Therefore, what is your attitude towards religion (christianity in particular)? VAE SOLIS (and consequently I) have pronounced anti-christian views (not satanic, though) - do you have anything to tell me, concerning this subject?

- Not exactly «biblical» - these are just thoughts of man and god. Christianity imply more strict interpretation of these terms in contrast to lyrics featured  on «Dedication». ORA PRO NOBIS is not a «christian» band, we don’t carry any religious messages - our lyrics appear only as a food for thought and nothing else... As to personal attitude towards religion... We have different notions about it, and each of us has his own beliefs - and it goes for all people. Someone dislikes christian commandments, others find satanic ideas disgusting, third ones prefer to believe in their own forces... It depends on a concrete person. All religious point of views have a right to exist, although nobody can be let to thrust his opinion on others.

Black metal strikes as the most popular kind of extreme music nowadays... What is your opinion of this genre, ideology behind it and it’s present popularity?

- Personally I think that music and any kind of ideology have nothing to do with each other. I don’t have anything against bands with satanic, christian, pagan or atheistic lyrics - it’s their personal business. The only thing I demand in this case is sincerity. If you are satanist on stage, stay him after you leave it. I can only respect those people, who’re sincere in what they’re doing. The more music is extreme, the more it was popular... heavy metal in early ‘80s, then speed, thrash, death and now black metal, which strongly improved since the heydays of VENOM and HELLHAMMER. Today’s black is very diverse music, with many different directions and styles inside of it - some of them appeal to me, others don’t... Generally speaking, black is the same music as any other, it simply sounds more ‘fresh’ nowadays. I believe that during next decade another extreme music will take it’s place and BM will keep it’s devoted fans.

Such terms as «commerce» and extreme music - do they have anything in common? Do you pay attention to assertions like «this band is false and that one is true...» or «they became trendy right after Nuclear Blast signed them...»?

- Most likely, people who talk about such things, hardly can imagine the conditions in which bands create their music. I think that any band (be it even the most extreme on earth) will never reject label’s offer. REAL music’s birth is very mystical process - it’s impossible just to sit down and write a couple of songs to somebody’s order. Money can’t influence band’s creativity in any way. Contract doesn’t change anything when it comes to music, but thanks to financial support band is able to record their efforts in better studio with better equipment, play more gigs, purchase better instruments, etc. All in all, in order to reject everything mentioned above you have to be complete idiot... And b.t.w. what is «commerial music»? If your albums sell extremely good, they must be really attractive, innovating, fresh and interesting. There’re no «anti-commercial» styles, there’re musicians whose music sucks really bad to find it’s listeners. And if they don’t want their creations to be easily accessible - then why do they record and release them? If these people create music ‘only for themselves’, they’d better sit at home together embracing their shitty instruments...

«Dedication» was recorded more than year ago... Do you have new songs and, if yes, how do they sound alike? Do you keep to your previous direction or there’s time for another radical change?

 - Our new album is complete and we’re already preparing the third one. We still hold on to our previous direction in case that we never stop in our development - we still improve our music, in the same time staying recognizable band. I mean that we already have the style of our own, some distinguishing features... As to technical differences... our compositions became more fast and solid with more keyboard passages and emphasized vocals. Appearance of new bassist, Maxim, who masterly handles his instrument, also played it’s role. I hope that our new album will be recorded very soon, and then you’ll have a possibility to judge it yourself...

Strange, but first comparison which came into my mind right after first song on «Dedication» ended was... BLACK OBELISK. Would you agree with me if I say that this band seem to be one of your influences, at least one of your singer’s influences? His voice heavily reminds me of Anatoliy Krupnov (R.I.P.)... Also I could draw parallels with you and GREAT SORROW...

- No way. Even if we’re influenced by anybody, these’re only ‘primary sources’, since first Russian metal bands appear only as copycats of various European / American groups. As to Dmitriy... I think that he is the only influence himself. He tries to listen to very few number of bands in order to escape any resemblings. He didn’t use all capabilies of his voice on «Dedication», and it will sound much stronger on the new album. His vocals may be similar to Krupnov’s as well as to LAKE OF TEARS and TIAMAT singers’ - it’s voice of a man, standing somewhere between raw growling and usual «clean» vocals. As to GREAT SORROW, the only thing we have in common is our native city (St.Petersburg). They don’t influence us anyhow; both, them and us, play melodic and emotional doom metal - but that’s all.
 
There’re two session musicians, who participated in your debut album’s recording - Natalia Pilipenko and Pavel Botov. Can you tell me where they do they come from (I mean ‘what bands’) and is there a chance for them to become full-time members of ORA PRO NOBIS?

- Pavel is AWESOME’s ex-guitarist and Natalia is professional musician, who’ve never been involved in any bands. Some time ago she was a chorus’ singer, and at the moment of our album’s recording she was working at the studio, doing arrangements, backing vocals, etc. I don’t know if they’re going to join ORA PRO NOBIS - it depends on their own decision, however I’d always like to have such talented musicians and simply good people in our band.

Your album’s cover art and layout seem to be sort of surrealistic... What meaning hides behind it?

- Irina Ilyina (who designed the cover) saw our music this way... We didn’t suggest her anything, however she managed to discover the very depths of music and her painting coincided with our conception of how the cover art should look alike... I won’t go into details; be it music or painting, each man would find something different, special and simple to be understood only by himself... The cardinal sense of it (the same goes for the whole album) is that there’re always two ways out of universal darkness - up high or down below... Inside enormous and uninhabited cathedral suppressing with it’s cold grandeur, tiny white wing keeps on falling... or maybe rising?...
 
Tellus and Space, earthly and celestial - how do you understand these often mentioned words?

 - They exist as one whole thing, which cannot be divided... I doubt if Earth appears as the ‘center of the universe’, like christians affirm... I believe that mankind has it’s own role in world’s development, and we have to realize that not only us mere mortals but the whole Universe depend on our actions. Perhaps, sometimes we’ll stop being detached unit of space and cognize this world... maybe after death...

You called me as «Lovecraft’s fan» after receiving my first email message... So it looks like you’ve read his works? What is your opinion of this man and the stories he wrote? What do you think of so-called «Cthulhu’s mythology»; can we assume that all creatures pictured by Lovecraft really exist?

- Yes, I’ve read his works. I got interested in this writer thanks to MORBID ANGEL’s albums... Later I discovered that huge number of bands base their lyrics on myths created by Lovecraft, therefore I was very interested in getting familiar with his writings. As far as I understood, he was extremely reserved man and after creating his own world full of demons and submerged creatures plunged in it himself. All his stories of alien giants, awaiting their hour to come deep under water are pierced with foreboding of inescapable decline of humanity as ruling specie on Earth... Lovecraft makes us to look at ourselves in cosmic scale... speck of dust at the face of mighty Cosmos, more than just ancient and cruel... His works are free from sugariness, often inherent in fantasy books, his mythology is rather evil... maybe that’s the reason why many people consider it as «satanic». As to reality of these creatures... theoretically I think that reality is being created by people themselves. Something that we consider as objective reality may be not reality, but someone’s delirium... maybe all of us are creatures living only in one’s dream or victims of experiments, performed by certain unknown forces... Therefore creatures being spawned by various authors’ imagination... they can be more real than we are. If they exist, it doesn’t really matter «where»... they can cross the border of our imagination and enter human world...
 

Well, let’s now move from Lovecraft to Necronomicon and occult sciences... Black magic, occultism, mysticism... - are you interested in these topics?

- In my comprehension, everything that you mentioned appear as diverse ways of cognizing something, that we normally can’t obtain in this «narrow-minded» world. Occultism is a step behind the borders of settled notions, attempt to escape the lot of marionnette in the hands of fate, learn to apprehend your destination and rule your life on the basis of revealed knowledge. The most important thing on this path is necessity of understanding what mighty forces you’ll have to associate and fight with, what enormous responsibility rests on Occultist. Only extremely stupid individuals can endeavour to use the powers of Occult ‘for fun’... in this case it will end in a very bad way... You can’t study these Sciences without experienced teacher and special ancient manuscripts. It’s sad, but philistinism replaces the thoughts of supreme predestination and craving towards learning the Unknown nowadays. There’s very few number of real Occultists and Magicians in modern society and they keep their proficiency in deep secret. Instead of them we can behold thousands of «pretend-to-be-sorcerers» today, who even don’t have the slightest idea what Occultism really is...

Few words about your future plans and something for the end...

- Future plans... Well, first of all we’re planning to record new album very soon. We’ll try to issue it somewhere abroad, besides we undertake attempts to play some gigs outside our city. Also we’d like to collaborate with one folk band, but it’s too early to tell anything concerning it...
I want to thank you for your interest and unprejudiced attitude towards our band as well as very interesting questions. I’m really greatful to you for letting us to express our opinions regarding really sore subjects. I hope to see more issues of VAE SOLIS in future, since I consider it as one of the best magazines on the net. Also I want to wish our fans and listeners to be more patient and wait for new albums and concerts of ours. ORA PRO NOBIS!

 

ORA PRO NOBIS
Email: orapronobis@geocities.com
       ora_pronobis@hotmail.com