DRAUGGARD ("The domain of the undead" in ancient Iceland) was formed by guitarist and composer Dmitry Ulybin and drummer/lyrics writer * (unprintable symbol) in spring 2003 in Nizhniy Novgorod city (Russia). **(unprintable symbol) (ex-Morok) was invited to the band as a singer. During 2 years the band progressed slowly because of the regular rehearsal place problems and the lack of a competent bass-player. However DRAUGGARD notwithstanding the obstacles recorded their first demo entitled "Wodan Id Est Furor" in December 2004. The demo included 4 tracks and was distributed in a limited number of copies. The record featured the drummer's vocal on 2 tracks. In 4/16/2005 DRAUGGARD performed live for the first time supporting MORTEM. DRAUGGARD appeared to be the first band of Nizhniy Novgorod heavy metal scene (represented for the most part by nu- and melodic death metal bands) to perform raw, fast, evil black metal with some Immortal influences. Soon after the first show Roman Kravchenko joined the band as a bass-guitarist and DRAUGGARD started to perform regularly live on stages of Nizhniy Novgorod. DRAUGGARD shows provoked rather an unequal response from the audience. The band was either loved or hated and no indifference towards their music took place. In 7/18/2006 the band released "Baldr's Dreams" single thus taken an evident direction to technical thrash/black metal. The song "Baldr's Dreams" consequently featured in "Armageddon Vol. 1" black/death metal compilation released by CD - Maximum lable. Unfortunately Roman Kravchenko left the band for the private reasons and the new bass-man Denis Maximyuk was enrolled to the band in September 2006.
Today DRAUGGARD is an evident leader of Nizhniy Novgorod heavy metal scene. Beside the sets with such bands as ASSASSIN, BELPHEGOR, CATAMENIA, HIERONYMUS BOSCH, URSKUMUG, ROSSOMAHAAR, MERLIN, GROM etc. the band has gained a good reputation in Moscow and Saint - Petersburg as well.

Source : http://www.myspace.com/drauggard