On April 30th Russian veteran metal band Aria played a massive show at the CSKA Arena formally known as the VTB Ice Palace and Legends Arena in Moscow for an all ages, sold out crowd supporting their latest record Curse of the Seas.The bombastic, visually stunning set was filmed multi-cam for a live CD/DVD release, now available.
A three-level stage and screen captured what the band is visually capable of, blasting larger than life images of lyrical themes and content serving as a theatrical accompaniment to the music and props, along with pirates and a floating stage with a past sea captain at the wheel. They played an epic, history covering set of new tunes with crowd favourites and rock sagas making for a legendary evening.
Though they’ve been playing since the ‘80s, and have toured extensively in Europe and other parts of the Eastern world, performing in their native language has limited their exposure to the Western region though they have a following in the states and have played here. For the first time, recently a larger group of western eyes have come across their music and performances. The band christened as the Iron Maiden of Russia, have captured all the audio and visual splendour of their show on Guest from the Kingdom of Shadows.
It’s safe to say they’re a really big deal in Russia, Though, even if you don’t speak the language you can’t help getting absorbed into the catchy music and high energy performance ranging from melodic and aquatic to cosmic and historical.
Sea creatures, star maps, soldiers of fortune and tragedy along with tyrants and warriors of the past serve as visual guides to the guitar work, drums and vocals. Not to mention watching vocalist Mikhail Jitnyakov hover around the arena suspended on a sword mid-show is an engrossing spectacle.
The show is a grand affair, with top notch production, multiple edits and angles supporting Curse of the Seas. “It was a special event both for us and the fans,” bassist Vitaly Dubinin says. ”We enjoyed playing every song in front of a big audience with a breathtaking production.” They’ve played on big stages before, but this show was much bigger and sensational. He says the production budget was high but the end product was well worth it.
They’ve had a working relationship with producer Yuri Sokolov since the early 2000’s who made the show what it is.
The first wide angle shot of the decked out arena, covered in ocean blue illumination gives a preview to what’s in store. The show opens with “Race for Glory” and multi- cam shots of Jitnyakov mounting an elevated, pirate stage with floating fabric-like wings for the first of a few songs performed set-long ‘in the crowd’ front and center.
Spotlights scan the arena as helicopter wings spin in the speakers and the band gets decked out in war-torn authentic gear. “Gas masks are used during “Kill the Dragon” to create an atmosphere of a toxic utopia where the Dragon was the ruler and made people live in his own world where everything is grey and the air is poisoned,” he says. “Gas is spread around the land to create illusions and simulate a different world for the society.”
The song is performed with authentic costumes from the Mosfilm studio manufactured during the Cold War.
Red light hits the “Asphalt Hero” as guitars kick up dirt and dust with lyrical engines revving.
The best and worst signs of capitalism and social media rear their heads on “Era of Lucifer,” “We’ve had some of logos that follow us through our lives, social network logos, fast food, some sale promotions and other symbols that all symbolize the upcoming era.”
“Curse of the Seas” brought the great beasts and lords of the depths to the screen as strings spilled watery, wet closing notes on the stage.
It was time to get medieval as Jitnyakov strapped on armor for musical combat in the “Colusseum” as massive stone pillars and walls loomed above.
Guitars jangled with murky, submerged notes on “Varagian” as the vessels crew was remembered and honored on screen. “It’s the story of a Russian ship during the Russo-Japanese war that sank because its crew refused to surrender in Chemulpo (modern day Incheon, Korea). The men on screen were the crew, and the flags in the crowd represent the Navy of the Russian Federation.”
They took to the air on “Point of no Return” and “So Be It” hanging out as fans lit the arena for the voyage. Some songs and stories are best played and told 30 feet high, mid-arena. “The Calm” then came down, with some of the coolest riffs of the show.
Things got serious when the road to the gallows and damnation appeared as red light cloaked the hooded and masked vocalist. Sword in hand, Jitnyakov the poised “Executioner” took flight on a cross-sized sword so the upper deck and nose bleeds had a front row view, stopping short of hitting his head on the ceiling.
The performance and height revealing shots are spectacular and worth the DVD by itself, “It was not easy, though Mickael having no fear of heights helped,” Dubinin says. A few days of training was required for the stunt.
Images and effects left strong impressions on the “Anti-Christ” as the winds howled revealing the angry, hungry face of the wolf feasting eyes on the crowd with predatory teeth ready to kill and the three levels of blazing fire on “Heaven will find You.”
The show ends with “Street of Roses” and tattoo style skulls, guns and flowers on screen which can’t help but remind viewers of the ‘80s.
Fans are shown front row waving South Park characters dressed as pirates in an ironically American image to end a Russian show. “Our fans are very creative. That was an interpretation of our band with help from the cartoon. South Park is popular in Russia and members of the band are fans as well.”
Songs are primarily in Russian but they have written in English, “We had some songs, but managed to record only one. It was a long time ago.” They also had a few gigs where they played songs in English.
In terms of style and sound they may be the Russian version but they haven’t played with the mighty Maiden yet. “We met them in 1993 at an after show party in Moscow.” Next year they have a gig in Moscow and were invited to support them as special guest but had to refuse because they’re going to have a big concert in two months” and management decided they couldn’t accept.
The language barrier has definitely limited their reach. “We started in the USSR during the Iron Curtain period, so a chance to perform and be heard by Western listeners was between zero and nothing. We were not allowed to sing in English, It was prohibited.”
Fellow Russian hard rockers Gorky Park were able to go to the states, best known for the song “Bang” and playing the Moscow Music Peace Festival in ’89. Such an opportunity didn’t come for them though but in retrospective, say it would’ve alienated their audience.
Rammstein have been embraced by non-German speaking fans globally, the equivalent is possible for Aria. “For sure, our language sounds strange but interesting at the same time for non-Russian speakers.” For the non-Russian speaking audience that buy the DVD Dubinin says to simply listen and enjoy the music and visuals, there are no boundaries.
They came to America six years ago playing gigs in New York and Boston. “I’m not sure how big our fan base is in the US, but when we walked through Manhattan before the show, we went to a church near the place where the Twin Towers were located before. When we left, three big men, (hailing) from Florida came to me, who were big fans, (said they) came to New York specially for the gig. I was shocked.
Next year brings their 35th Anniversary. “We will have a big tour in Russia the whole year, culminating with a huge show in Moscow at the VTB Arena where the DVD was shot. We will try to make it no less grandiose.”
As for fellow musical countrymen, he likes the classic bands that started around the time they did including Chorny Obelisk (Black Obelisk) and others.
”As a band, we want to thank you for your support and loyalty through all times. You motivate us to do this again and again, and with no doubt, that makes us love it and continue doing it. Stay heavy!”
For new fans discovering the band this is the best introduction possible and a reward for the long-term faithful.
