Instead of re-addressing us to your homepage, wouldn’t it be better giving a short bio for ORTHANC here?
 
Chichellika:
- Moscow metal band ORTHANC was created in the April of 1996 by initial power of Boroman and Scald. After the several month of repetition the concert activity was started. The demo-version of the first album was recorded in November of 1996.  The complete album was recorded in a very short time (40 hours) in the spring of 1997. To take into account the problems with its mastering and edition the album untitled «Till the Victory» saw the light just in November. At about this time ORTHANC have changed the solo-guitar player. ORTHANC toured concerts in Bryansk, Ryasan', Karachev, in Zelenograd as well. From the beginning of the 1998 the new material is under preparation. You are welcome to taste it. To open the private life Boroman is married and has a child, other members are free.
 
May I display interest in the origin of your (rather strange) alias? Why did you take it instead of the previous 'Lady Victory'?
 
Chichellika:
- I accepted without the protests how ORTHANC called me - Chichellika. This name was initial and original. And my pseudonym doesn't correspond with the composition «Till Victory» and the album heading. Where have you digged from this version?
 
Female playing in BM band is quite rare thing nowadays (and it’s always been so), while most of black metallers for some reasons think that this kind of music should be performed only by men... Do you have anything to say to such individuals?  
 
Chichellika:
- There are a lot of examples for the women taking part in rock- or more heavy music. It's no wonder I think. I belive also that the mixed bands are more efficient than pure female groups.
Boroman:
- We consider it to be good. Every man or woman can put himself into creative work. If somebody suppose the woman to be feeble, one should remember the Amazons. 
 
Can you tell me of your way in metal music, since the very beginning till your current band? What appeared as an inducement for taking bass guitar in your hands?
 
Chichellica:
- I have graduated the classic music school. Once I had stomach for metal playing. It made me to take the electro-instrument in the hands. My way began in the university band, where I learned by ABC. For a short time I was collaborating with sympho-art-rock style group. Occasionally, I met ORTHANC, or to be more precise, ORTHANC found me. I'm very glad to belong to ORTHANC from the very beginning of our band. But I know I should much perfect.
 
Who and why called you as «war metal» band? I guess ORTHANC doesn’t have much in common with the bands who represent this style - I mean BESTIAL WARLUST, DESTROYER 666, SADISTIK EXEKUTION, etc...
 
Scald: 
- We are singing about the battles, but our style may hardly be called «war».
 
«Midgard», «Einherjer», «The Crystal Castle Of Bohemia»... Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance of reading through your lyrics carefully but it seems like these songs are inspired by Scandinavian and Czech mythology...? Can you explain me why you, being a Russian band, apply to alien topics? Didn’t you find anything interesting in Slavonic epos or what?
 
Scald: 
- I'm entitled to sing about subjects which I prefer and it doesn't matter what nation create the epos I like. You can find in our creative work the Slavonic motives too.
 
You took your band’s name from Tolkien’s «Master Of The Rings», however ORTHANC’s lyrics have nothing to do with aforementioned book... I wonder of you are going to use any themes from Tolkien in ORTHANC’s future recordings? Or maybe you prefer to stay away from SUMMONING-alike bands?
 
Scald: 
- «Orthanc» means on the ancient dreamlike language «the wily mind» or «the Cuspid». Such translation goes well to us. The genius of the warriors from the citadel mentioned corresponds to ours. Maybe we'll use some Tolkien’s themes in future.
 
Someone told me that ORTHANC’s members hate and almost disdain black metal music... Is that correct? Then why does Vadim scream in typical BM way?
 
Scald: 
- I don't know whose private opinion is it. I'm fan of BM. On my mind «black» gave the great push / hit to the metal progress.  But our music is not pure black. Some famous bands like KREATOR, DEPLASH, IRON ANGEL have a vocal like mine, but it does not refer to the black metal acts.
Boroman:
- Concerning the modern «black», I can not say that I like or dislike it, because I don't understand it. Concerning our vocals, it's disputable point, whether Vadim takes off BM manner.
 
No doubts that you’re into power / speed metal, at least that’s what your music says... Therefore, what is your opinion of contemporary «power metal revival»? Are you happy to behold this music becoming more and more popular, while bands of this kind spawn in enromous numbers all over the world? Whom would you mark out as the most promising?
 
Scald:
- Yes, we represent power / speed metal in revival form of metal 90th. Who are most promising one? None, besides us.
Boroman:
- I think, «enormous numbers» of bands appeared in all styles, not only in speed / power. I'm glad to observe the available metal revival. But the style don't define the quality of music. There are good and bad commands everywhere. 
 
What about giving us your play-list or something like that? I’m interested to hear what bands are considered as your favorites...
 
Chichellika:
- We have studied to play on METALLICA and MANOWAR music. My first love was SCORPIONS. I like true BLIND GUARDIAN and LACRIMOSA. Max Boroman refers SLAYER, SEPULTURA, MANOWAR, HELLOWEEN to his favorites.  
 
What are your impressions of playing live in the whole?
 
Boroman:
- Impressions are various. In the «playing» life there are its pleasures and disillusions. We like it, that is why we have chosen it. All is made for the sake of music itself. And therefore it is a real life.
 
And what about last ORTHANC’s gig at Camelot club?
 
Chichellika:
- You mean Apocalipsis (29.03.98). It was "stars-gig". It's rather difficult to open the concert. But we try always to swing the public. I believe it came off satisfactory.
Boroman: 
- I don't remember. All concerts are slightly alike one on other.
 
I was there and noticed that you most of songs you performed are new, at least they weren’t featured on «Till The Victory» album. As far as I understood, ORTHANC is not going to shock us drastically changing it’s music?
 
Scald:
- You might think so. But the more attentive audience can notice that our new compositions
- became more energetic
- have Russian texts on the whole
- are more complicated in their form but not sophisticated to the perception.
 
Yeah, and I hope that Vadim won’t use «clean» vocals anymore...??
 
Scald:
- I'm bad singer. But in the studio I'll try to express more. At the second album there will be a lot of «clean» vocals (hmmm.... - ED).
 
Why did you decide to release «Till The Victory» on your own? Did you talk with Price or maybe Hobgoblin Recs? If yes, why did they ignore you?
 
Chichellika:
- We have considered the various ways, but we couldn't allow us to accept their conditions. We would not give somebody the chance to make money leaving us outside.
 
I guess it’s time to ask about second ORTHANC’s album... When will we be able to purchase it? Will it be also self-financed release or perhaps there’s a certain label which plans to sign your band? 
 
- It's early to say now.
 
B.t.w., do you care about ORTHANC’s promotion abroad? Have you got any serious offers or something...? 
 
- We are thinking about.
 
Are you in contact with foreign black metal bands?
 
- No.
 
What will be the final spells from mighty fortress of Orthanc...?
 
- Be blessful by O. Ch. Ch. 
 

ORTHANC contact -
Email: kuzmenko@td.chem.msu.su