In honor of our 25th anniversary, we decided to release a revamped version of Alkonost's debut album — Songs of the Eternal Oak.
For us, this provides a chance to return to our roots, to reassess the beginning of our creative existence, and for our listeners — an opportunity to enjoy their favorite songs in an updated sound, with modern arrangements and performed by leading musicians of our genre, stars of an international caliber.
As part of Alkonost's birthday congratulations, many top artists of our genre took part in the remaking of this record, including Mathias Lillmåns from Finntroll, Thor Bager from Svartsot, Keith Fay from Cruachan, and Igor Shapranskiy from Srub.
The album's name, translated from the original as "Songs of the Eternal Oak," sends the listener off to an image of the World Tree, which stands in the center of the Universe, and where the Alkonost Bird sings its songs, telling stories of timeless topics.
The hero of the first composition, Years of Prophecy, starts thinking about his quest for truth and meaning, and finds that the surrounding everyday life cannot answer questions regarding the essence of good and evil, greatness and nothingness, and truth and lies. While seeking for answers, he looks into the past, searching for meaning in epic legends about heroes of ancient times, magi, and demiurges. In this place, the sound of horns summons warriors to battle, an endless feast of forefathers takes place, and honey flows like the rivers.
But a glance through time shows the short-livedness and ephemerality of it all — of joyfulness and despair, of victory and defeat. The Vortex of Times shuffles all images and events, happiness and loss, life and death. In this vortex exists only one line, a symbol representing stability and continuity as pillars of the universe — the World Tree. All stories and songs are but a rustling in its branches.
Through this album, we address metacultural roots, archetypical and meta-mythological concepts and imagery, such as those of the blacksmith, of war, and of the ancestors' revelry in the afterlife. This work deals with cultural foundations, and it will propel the listener to refer to that which one recognizes from myths, Pushkin's fairy tales, or lessons of history . . .
1. Years of Prophecy (feat. Mathias Lillmåns, Finntroll)
Recording Studios - Stone Flower, Slaughtered Studio
Years of Prophecy is a search-song. Its hero finds himself completely confused in this complex world where everything seems overly complicated and meaningless. In search of understanding he turns his gaze towards ancient times where people were living wisely, following the secret knowledges of magi, sorcerers who knew the nature of the universe. But were these times real or these stories about the magi are a myth themselves.
This song opens the first Alkonost album, Songs of the Eternal Oak. It was the beginning of the path, both musically and philosophically. And that's why it's important to listen to this song, to make a step together with our hero into the reality of legends and parables, the place between the times and Between the Worlds. The reality of Alkonost.
Now, having celebrated the 25th anniversary of the band, we decided to give a song from which everything began a new life, give it a fresh sound. Mathias Lillmåns, the Finntroll vocalist, helped us with this, which was a recognition of the success of our long work and a congratulations on our 25th anniversary.
Andrey Losev - composer of music, arrangement, guitar, samples Mare Mirkie - Lyricist Ksenia Pobuzhanskaya - vocals Pavel Kosolapov - guitar, backing vocals Sergey MegoMagnus Kuzmin - bass guitar Fedor Borovsky - drums, mixing, mastering Darius Alas - design Artur Kamalov - video Recording Studio - Stone Flower, Slaughtered studio
It sometimes happens that the whole world seems to turn against you. You feel all alone and there is nothing around you that could inspire you, nor anyone who could support you. But it also can be the other way around: you are happy and glowing, but in the depths of your soul are afraid that your streak of luck will end, and that that which has a lot of meaning for you will be taken away. But in these situations, we all forget about what is of main importance: the source of life, strength, energy, inspiration and, lastly, happiness lies within ourselves. A person that opens up this source, shows self-belief, knows and loves themselves — is capable of anything! Listen to our new song, sing along, tune in to yourself, pay attention — and you will feel how in the depths, in your heart, a magical fiery flower will start to bloom. Let it grow, gather strength, and turn into a glowing sun that cannot be extinguished by any difficulties or sadness!
Птица/Ptitsa feat. Sergei Lazar (Rossomahaar, Arkona)
Release date: August 6, 2021.
Andrey Losev - music, guitar, samples Mare Mirkie - lyrics Ksenia Pobuzhanskaya - vocals Sergey Lazar - vocals Pavel Kosolapov - guitar Vitold Buznaev - bass guitar Fedor Borovsky - drums, mixing, mastering Darius Alas - design Recording Studios - Stone Flower, The Amplogia Studio, Slaughtered Studio
The power of mother's love is truly miraculous. No matter how far will the warrior's path take him, the mother's blessing is always there. For her heart always hurts for him. Our song will tell you how Mother Nature herself protects the warrior from death following the word of his own mother. And how it can return him back to life reminding that our world is full of love and even the most severe wounds will be healed someday.
Andrey Losev - music, arrangement, lead guitar Mare Mirkie - lyrics Rimma Bakhteeva - music and lyrics of the song "Vedma" (Witch) Ksenia Pobuzhanskaya - vocals, arrangement Rustem Shagitov - rhythm guitar Victor Buznaev - bass guitar, mixing, mastering Nikolay Kopachev - drum arrangement Fedor Borovsky - drum arrangement for the song "Bird" Ravil Nizametdinov - drum recording Stone Flower Studio - recording studio The Amplogia Studio - recording studio Darius Alas - design Edaliana Rennenkampf - photo in the booklet Ilya Lopatkin - "Bird" lyrics Marina Budyanskaya - "Bird" lyrics Petri Lindroos (Ensiferum) - vocals to the song "Bird" Maxim Shtanke - backing vocals Margarita Petrovskaya - backing vocals Alexey Kovalenko - backing vocals
Losev Andrey - music, arrangement, lead guitar Mare Mirkie - lyrics Ilya Lopatkin and Marina Budyanskaya - translation Ksenia Pobuzhanskaya - vocals Petri Lindroos - vocals Vitold Buznaev - rhythm guitar, bass guitar Fedor Borovsky - drums arrangement Ravil Nizametdinov - recording drums Darius Alas - design Stone Flower Studio - recording The Amplogia Studio - recording, mixing, mastering
The power of mother's love is truly miraculous. No matter how far will the warrior's path take him, the mother's blessing is always there. For her heart always hurts for him. Our song will tell you how Mother Nature herself protects the warrior from death following the word of his own mother. And how it can return him back to life reminding that our world is full of love and even the most severe wounds will be healed someday.
Andrey Losev - music, lead guitar Mare Mirkie - lyric Ksenia Pobuzhanskaya - vocals Rustem Shagitov - rhythm guitar Timur Kudaev - bass Nikolay Kopachev - drums Stone Flower - recording studio Vladimir Lehtinen - mixing, mastering Darius Alas - design
Andrey Losev - music, lead guitar Rustem Shagitov - rhythm guitar Alexey Mitrofanov - bass Ksenia Pobuzhanskaya - vocals Dmitry Fiskin - drums Vladimir Lehtinen - mixing, mastering Mare Mirkie - Mare Mirkie - idea of the lyric Anastasia Ryabova, Ilya Lopatkin - translation Nikolay Kopachev - drums, mixing Stone Flower - recording studio Darius Alas - design
Maxi single «Tropa k Vesne» (The trail to the spring)
Release date: September 5, 2017.
Andrey Losev - music, guitar, drums, synthesizer Rustem Shagitov - bass Pavel Kosolapov - guitar Ksenia Pobuzhanskaya - vocals Alexey Solovyov - music "War is closed by us" Mare Mirkie - lyric "Tropa k Vesne" Irina Kamaeva - lyric "War is closed by us" Dmitriy Pokrov - lyric "War is closed by us" Marina Budyanskaya - lyric "War is closed by us" Choirs: Alkonost group, Irina Kamaeva, Andrey Panterich, Timur Kudayev Nikolay Kopachev - mixing Timur Kudaev, The Amplogia Studio - recording studios Vladimir Lehtinen - mastering Darius Alas - design
In early 2016, Fono Ltd. for fans of extreme metal, released 2CD - a tribute to the PARADISE LOST group, in which teams from all over the world took part, including 9 groups from Russia - ALKONOST, LITTLE DEAD BERTHA, MENTAL HOME and others. From the Alkonost group, the Mouth track included in this tribe entered the tribute single.
November 27, 2015 on the label Mazzar released the long-awaited disc, tribute to the founders of the Russian pagan metal - Butterfly Temple. The tribute was attended by Alkonost, recording a cover of the song "Earth".
Трек должен был войти в "A Tribute To MOTORHEAD - Russian Edition" и в 2014 году выйти на CD, однако этого не произошло и трибьют вышел в свет только в качестве интернет-издания.
Music - ALKONOST (1996, 2006). Text (except for track 4): Mara Mirkie and Alexey Solovyov Record: August 2006 - April 2007, Studio "Белый Цвет". Sound engineers Vladimir Busurin & ALKONOST. Mixing and mastering: May 2007, studio "Moscow Sound records", sound engineer Sergey "Lazar" Atrashkevich. Published by Metalism Records on November 19, 2007. Design: Ksenia Arefieva.
All songs are composed by ALKONOST. Russian texts: tracks 1,3,4,6 - Alexey Solovyov and Mara Mirkie; 5- Mara Mirkie and Losev Andrey; 2.8- Alexey Solovyov. 1998 - record: Igor Khotko. 2006 - record: studio "Белый Цвет", studio of S. Kamyshansky. 2006 - restoration, mixing, mastering: Sergey "Lasar" Atrashkevich, Moscow Sound Records. Published by Metalism Records in February 2007. Design: Ksenia Arefieva.
All songs are composed by ALKONOST. Lyrics: tracks 2,4,7 - Alexey Solovyov; 1,5,6- Alexey Solovyov and Anton Chepigin; 3- Alexey Solovyov and Alexander Teryokhin. Recorded in the studio of S. Kamyshansky (summer 2005 - autumn 2005). Published by Metalism Records in April 2006. Design: Vladimir Urakov. Photo: Stas Mikulsky.
All songs are composed by ALKONOST. Texts - Alexey Solovyov, except for "Мать-тоска" (verses by A.K. Tolstoy). It was recorded in the studios of the radio radio "Старый город", "Шатлык", "Мир звука" (autumn 2002 - spring 2004). Published by Metalism Records in April 2006. Design: Dm. Pokrov, Vladimir Urakov. Photo: Andrey Veretennikov, Dinara Muksinova.
All songs are composed by ALKONOST. Lyrics by Alex Nightbird, translated by Mary Swift, except for "Мать-тоска" (verses by A.K. Tolstoy). It was recorded in the studios of the radio radio "Старый город", "Шатлык", "Мир звука" (autumn 2002 - spring 2004). Published by Concern Soyuz Group and MetalAgen in December 2004. Design: Dm. Pokrov, Vladimir Urakov. Photo: Dinara Muksinova.
All songs are composed by ALKONOST. This compilation was republished by Soyuz Group and MetalAgen in December 2004. In addition to songs from the album "Songs Of The Eternal Oak" and the demo "Spirit Tending To Revolt", the CD included 2 video clips for the songs "Years Of Prophecy" and "My Last Day". Design by Natalya Kasatkina and DM Pokrov.
All songs are composed by ALKONOST. This compilation has been specially prepared for CD release by Ketzer (Germany) and Beverina (Latvia). The disc was released in July 2002 with a circulation of 1000 copies. In addition to the tracks from the album "Songs Of The Eternal Oak" and the demo "Spirit Tending To Revolt", the CD includes 2 video clips for the songs "Years Of Prophecy" and "My Last Day". Design: Natalia Kasatkina and Alex Henhle.
1. Years of Prophecy
2. Sun Shine Our Land
3. Song of The Smiths (Sledge Hammer!)
4. War is Closed by Us
5. Holyday of Fathers
6. Rain of Former Days (short edit)
7. My Last Day
8. Vortex of Times
9. Life on Glory's Blade
Nevedomyye zemli (Unknown lands)
All songs are composed by ALKONOST. Lyrics by Alex Nightbird. Design by Alex Nightbird. Recorded and mixed in the studio of the "Staryj Gorod" (Old Town) radio station in autumn 2001. The demo, containing 3 compositions in Russian, was distributed for information only.
1. Кровавые травы
2. Бездна
3. Лихолетье
Memoris
All songs are composed by ALKONOST, except for "Shadows Of The Dark Days" by Kooker. Compilation (autumn 2001) which includes compositions from "Spirit Tending To Revolt" (1-3), "Shadows Of Glory" (4-6) and "Shadows Of Timeless" (7, 8). Design by Dmitry Pokrov. Published on CD (TA "Faktura" 100 copies) and cassettes.
1. My Last Day
2. Vortex of Times
3. Life on Glory's Blade
4. Temple of The Forest
5. Shadows of the Dark Days
6. Pain of the Victory
7. Time of Rage
8. Dance With Fire
Songs of the Eternal Oak
All music was composed by ALKONOST in autumn 1997. Texts by Dmitry Pokrov, Alex Nightbird and Mary Swift. Recorded and mixed at Unknown studio from February 1998 to January 2000. Sound engineer Igor Khotko. Designed by Natalia Kasatkina. Published on cassettes: TA "Faktura" (January 2000, 250 copies), Ketzer & Beverina (spring 2000, 1000 copies). As of the fall of 2002, the total number of sold cassettes of the album “Songs Of The Eternal Oak” exceeded 1,500 copies.
1. Years of Prophecy
2. Sun Shine Our Land
3. War is Closed by Us
4. Holyday of Fathers
5. Rain of Former Days
Shadows of Glory
All songs are composed by ALKONOST, except for "Shadows Of The Dark Days" by Kooker. Recorded and mixed at Unknown studio in August 1997. Sound engineer Igor Khotko. Designed by Natalia Kasatkina. This demo was distributed on trial cassettes.
1. Temple of the Forest
2. Shadows of the Dark Days
3. Pain of the Victory
Shadows of Timeless
All songs are composed by ALKONOST except "Shadows Of The Dark Days" by Kooker. Recorded at the Orange Doors Theater Center in July 1997. Sound engineer Oleg Selivanov. This rehearsal recording was distributed on cassettes for review.
![Years Of Prophecy (feat. Mathias Lillmåns (Finntroll)) [Single]](/storage/.thumbs/preview180x180_years.jpg)
