Band's List Symphonic Black Welicoruss Kharnha

Hailing from Russia and founded in 2002 by Alexy Boganov, WelicoRuss is a symphonic black metal band that combines black metal vocals with cleaner and more melodic vocals that’s supported by very professional and atmospheric musicianship. Rich with classical and orchestral overtones, “Kharna” offers a unique twist on metal that gives each track its own sound. Though there only five tracks on this EP, each clock in a little over six minutes (aside from the intro), so you are still being given an opportunity to hear the intricate details of each composition.
The self-titled track is done in two different versions. One being more traditional and carries some serious riffs and symphonic guitar that doesn’t take away from the natural feel WelicoRuss is offering to the listener. The dual vocals flow very naturally with the melody, giving “Kharna” a very worldly sound. The second version is also very well done, strictly orchestra and is just very different with its purely instrumental style, almost giving it a peaceful feeling.
On “Dolmen” they integrate a female singer which I really like and there is more of an orchestral composition that just gives the track a huge wall of sound. It is a little more on the metal side with a strong guitar lead and Alexy’s dark vocals. “Bridge of Hope” is the only one that I would say was a little bit too over the top but I did like the traditional style singing that went along with it though I would say they could have slowed down the drums a little more to fit with the piece.
“Kharna” is a really short sample of WelicoRuss’s music and it’s really hard to opinion on it but I am excited to see what they give us with their next full-length album. With that being said, the compositions do flow really well and I love the fact that they integrate so many different sounds with their music. If only to get an idea of what WelicoRuss is about, I would highly recommend picking up this album!

Throughout US history we as Americans have consistently shown a callous disregard for the beauty that is to be found within other cultures and languages. Many people are raised to hate what they fear and to fear what they don’t understand. I am glad to say that I was never one such person. Unlike many of my fellow Americans, I hold within my heart a deep admiration of the rich histories of foreign countries such as Germany, Japan, and Russia.

This brings me now to a disturbing trend which I have lately observed in the realm of modern music. Many foreign acts have a tendency to deny their own cultures and histories in order to appeal to a broader audience. Their reasons may vary, but the result is almost always the same in the end; a loss of integrity. Please don’t construe this as me saying that all musicians must necessarily incorporate elements from their culture. I just think it’s sad that many bands think that they can’t make money unless their music follows American and European trends.

WelicoRuss is one band that does not compromise. Their music is sung entirely in Russian and their compositions make fantastic use of pagan elements, showing pride for their Russian culture. Their lyrical themes heavily recall East Slavic mythologies based in a reverence for nature and in the noble warrior’s spirit. Listening to their music is like being taken back to an ancient time in which the rivers were pure, the air was clean, and the forests still held many mysteries.

WelicoRuss’ newest single, entitled “?????,” takes all these elements even further with a more organic approach to the material and marks the first time that their music was composed collectively by all of the band members. The three main songs (not including the intro and the Orchestral arrangement of the title track) exist as a love-letter to the interconnectedness that exists between nature and humankind. The band has made the single free to download but if you enjoy the songs and want to support the band, then show some respect for their efforts and purchase the single on either iTunes or Amazon.