Band of the Day: Naska

With a sound like this, you have to wonder if the weather affects what bands create…

Simple things first – where are you guys from?

We are from Russia. We live almost side by side. Some of us are from Moscow and some of us are from Moscow region.

How did you meet?

I wanted to found a band to play something atmospheric and themed long ago. As I have played music long ago, I have got lots of friends who play music too. That’s why it was not difficult to find former bandmates. Me and Alexander played hardcore punk music many years ago and I decided to give a suggestion about playing heavier music. That time, Alexander played in the same band with Michael (guitar) and he was able to interest in him about my idea. Me and Victor (vocals) got acquainted during our concert trip to Minsk many years ago; he accompanied us. Later we played in a band called Sarif. Me and Maxim Alaska (guitar) got acquainted in rehearsal facilities he works in. We used to play in Morana (Moscow hardcore metal band).

How long have you been playing as a band?

Next year, in January, we will be celebrating our second birthday.

Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?

While searching for the concept of songs I have found different notes about geoglyphs which are situated in the elevated plain Nazca. We decided to call our band Naska.

What are your influences?

Machine Michael: Isis, Neurosis.

Victor: I am at a loss to answer because I almost don’t take part in songwriting. I think that Downfall of Gaia and Fall of Efrafa had a significant influence on other guys.

Denis: Victor is not mistaking about Downfall Of Gaia and Fall Of Efrafa. I would like to thank Neurosis and Cult of Luna, which had impact on me as a musician.

Alexander: I feel a strong impact on me of bands like Old Graves and AMENRA.

Describe your music. What makes you unique?

Alexander: Our music makes us unique.

Victor: We didn’t reinvent the wheel and simply play a mixture of post metal, atmospheric black metal and post-rock. There are lots of the same bands in the world, meanwhile it seems to me that we are not worse than the others. We are not unique but we try to do p’s and q’s well.

Machine Michael: Strict concept and unusual vocals for post metal.

Denis: I think that only listeners can notice a uniqueness of a band. As for me, I would like to notice the chosen concept.

Do you have any particular lyrical themes?

Denis: That’s true. We describe the appearance of geoglyphs at Nazca in our lyrics. We had studied lots of mythos and different facts from research articles with analysis of the life of ancient peoples who lived in this territory. All the events happen around the main sacrifice named Huk, who leads the whole process of making geoglyphs trying to invite attention of their gods, who damned and forgot dead desert soils to commonwealth.

What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?

We have played approximately 10 gigs. As for live shows, I am scrupulous towards them. I had been at shows of Downfall Of Gaia and Wolves In The Throne Room. I adore these bands, but I had been disappointed after their performances. I have a pretty clear sense of the fact that it is not grindcore and not chaotic hardcore, where musicians go crazy, but even in post metal and atmospheric black minimal, but elements of show, should be. That’s why I try to bring more emotional colouring. Jesse Zaraska (Misery Signals) is an indication for me. When I watch their live shows, I truly believe in messages of this person and try to make people believe me that way. That’s why I always sing my heart out.

Denis: A handful of our live shows can be watched on our Facebook page.

What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?

Victor: The wildest person I have seen is Jacob Bannon (Converge). His performance looks like moxie with its vibes. The wildest thing I’ve done is the moshpit at the show of August Burns Red, when I have knocked out one boy occasionally. I’ve got scared up the gazoo.

Denis: It’s not exactly a wild thing. For me it looks like a full diving into reflection and incredibly heavy emotional output of shows of Colin (vocals in Amenra).

What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?

Machine Michael: EGC Series One.

Denis: Fender Jazz Bass Aerodyne.

Maxim Alaska: Schecter Blackjack ATX C-1.

Alexander: Stringed drum – Tama superstar, other – Sabian AAX (X-Plosion Crash 16, 18, Stage ride 20, Stage Hats 14), foot-beater – Tama.

What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?

Denis: No, you can’t hear our songs on the radio.

What are your plans for 2018?

Denis: In November, there will be presentations of our new ЕР, Eclipse, in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Also we don’t leave the work on new songs.

If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be supporting and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!

Victor: My dream set list with Naska: 1. The Yellow Sign, 2. Naska, 3. Misery Signals. It would have been the best day of my life.

Machine Michael: I would like to play with Downfall of Gaia.

Maxim Alaska: 1. Ostrog, 2. Naska, 3. Year of No Light.

Naska: facebook | bandcamp

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