Albums of Purgatory interview Merlin

Firstly, whats the band up to right now?

At the time we're recording our third full length album "Brutal Constructor".

How would you describe the Merlin sound?

I think it's brutal death metal, at least our new album will sound like this.

How did you get involved with the band?

The band was founded in 1992 by my husband Alex (guitar) and me. Before MERLIN we played for some thrash metal band sounding like METALLICA but we wanted to create something espesial, more hard and fast. Soon we met a very good drummer Nick Byckoff who was a fan of MORBID ANGEL and SUFFOCATION and started playing death grind metal for the beginning. We had some troubles looking for a bassist, it was very boring to listen and explain them what we wanted to hear, so finally I decided to try the bass playing myself the more so that I 'd had some experince of the rythm guitar playing. Later in 1998 Arteom (Bolt) Nazarov joined with us as a second guitarist.

Can you remember your first gig (how did it go)?

Yes, it was "Thrash Your Mother" Fest in Moscow. We played there about 10 songs and all the time the guitar continually fucked out so Nick and me had to play two. Can you imagine drums, bass and growling?.. and sometimes the guitar begins to howl and dissapears again... it was terrible!!! But I growled as a hellbound and the people were impressed, seems they haven't noticed...

Are you involved in any other projects and if so how do they compare to Merlin?

Nick playes for a few bands playing thash and heavy metal, maybe industrial, don't know exactly.

What are your favourite Merlin tracks?

As a vocalist I love "Entering The Gates Of Paradise" and "The Sixth Victim" from "They Must Die" album, I think I did my best in those songs. And as a composer I think "Die" is the best song of ours, it was written and arranged for an hour, extremely on inspiration... a real masterpiece!

What are your favourite all time songs?

I think "Black Sabbath" by BLACK SABBATH is the song of all times and nations.

What the first record you ever bought?

Can't remember exactly, seems it was "Made In Japan" by DEEP PURPLE.

Which album was it that got you into metal and can you explain why?

I grew up listening to BLACK SABBATH, then I took a fancy to JUDAS PRIEST and MANOWAR, later SLAYER. As for Death Metal "Spiritual Hilling" by DEATH appeared a great stimulus to playing it, I was really impressed by Chuck's vocal and the music.

Whats the last album you purchased and what did you think of it?

I purchased "Alexander Nevsky" Cantata by a famous Russian composer Sergey Prokofiev since we're doing a number on it. That masterpiece was written in 1939 and sounds like a real black metal!

What would be your dream band line-up?

It's MERLIN, he-he...

If you could do a cover for a tribute album to any band, which song of which band would you pick and why?

We're just doing a cover on "Zombie Ritual" by DEATH, you'll hear it on our "Brutal Constructor" album. Why? In Chuck's memory I think, he was a musician of genius!

What do you think of the position of metal and music in general today?

I hate that primitive music that is imposed upon us by Radio and TV. Of corse, they play something worth sometimes but the hardest bands which sound there are GUANO APES or RAMMSTEIN. As for REAL metal, especially extreme unfortunatelly it's still underground...

Which other bands stand out for you at the moment?

I'm a fan of OZZY OSBOURNE, I saw their Live not long ago and they're out of any competition... such fucking brutal!!! Then I like CANNIBAL CORPSE and VADER very much, HATE ETERNAL are good for me...

Do you have any funny stories about the band you can share with us?

Two years ago Alex broke his leg and had to walk on scene on crutches. He specially cut off trousers that plaster was seen. All the thousand people howled of delight... unforgettable show!

and finally, what do you see in the future for Merlin?

I think finally we'll become famous worldwide, not only in Russia as now... we really have what to show!!!