Arctic Dreams  17/08/2025 

MM: Tell us about your band .. your influences and what took you down this genre of
music

[Alex_Y]: Thats a story for a separate book)) In a nutshell, I started the project back in 2009 in St.
Petersburg, Russia, together with guitarist Sidious, who no longer plays in our band. We were on hiatus
for almost ten years. And then there was a kaleidoscope of events? Which I will write about in my
memoirs. As for influences, three things influenced me as the founder: heavy metal, electronic music
and classical music.
[Gena]: Alex, as the founder of the group, can tell you more about this. Personally, I am inspired by any
good music.
[Mirko_Death]: Well, Slayer had big influence on me. I
[Roman]: We need to separate things that influence me personally, and the band in general. My
personal influencers are Blind Guardian, Nightwish, Avantasia, etc. The band is mostly influenced by
many death metal bands
[Ivan]: As I am a new member of bend, others can say more about its journey so far.
I play and listen to many different music genres, but my main influence in metal music is Dimmu Borgir.

 

MM: Are there any themes or messages you aim to convey through your
music?
[Alex_Y]: There are many of them, and they are all completely different. We write music and lyrics
about fantasy, abstraction, war, and social issues. They are often described in famous books, films, and
video games.
[Gena]: Every song contains a message in one form or another.
[Mirko_Death]: Always, metal music is all about sending a message and and convey to the listener,
through melody, harmony, lyrics and through video spots, a story about a topic.
[Roman]: I’m not a composer here so this question is mostly to Alex. Regarding myself, I prefer telling
stories through music.
[Ivan]: Yes, in my music, but I don’t compose metal music much. Regarding the Arctic Dreams, Alex is
the main composer and lyricist.

MM: What can fans expect from you in the near future—new music,
tours, collaborations?
[Alex_Y]: Well, we're going to have a concert with the legends HATE in September, and there may be
more concerts in the autumn. We have a new line-up and we're rushing to record our second album,
which we plan to release next year.
[Gena]: New album, new live shows, music video
[Mirko_Death]: New music definitely coming up. About tours, talk to manager.
[Roman]: We are working on a new album right now.
[Ivan]: We will have several gigs until the end of this year, but the main focus is work on a new album.

 

MM: Are there any dream venues or festivals you’d love to play?
[Alex_Y]: Wacken, Hellfest, Graspop Metal Meeting
[Gena]: Festivals are very interesting, but I dream more about a world tour.
[Mirko_Death]: Yes, Wacken for the start. And there are a lot other festilvas i would love to play.
[Roman]: Wackend would be perfect.
[Ivan]: Waken

 

MM: What’s been your most memorable live performance so far, and
why?
[Alex_Y]: Our gigs in April this year. I hadn't performed for over 10 years and had already forgotten that
feeling. But then I felt it all coming back to me.))
[Mirko_Death]: There were a lot of them and everyone was unique.
[Ivan]: My first and only gig with this band so far has been 2 weeks ago. The feeling on stage was
awesome, and also some great energy between bend mates.

 

MM: How do you prepare for a show, both mentally and physically?
[Alex_Y]: Well, I have a thing about preparing for the show as thoroughly as possible, both technically
and musically. And, of course, getting some rest the day before the show.
[Gena]: Every live show is unique and unforgettable, and experiencing these emotions is one of the
reasons why I am involved in music.
[Mirko_Death]: A lot of rest, good sleep.
[Roman]: I just go and play. I don’t need any preparation.
[Ivan] I have been an active performing musician for over 15 years, so I don't have any special
preparation or routine before a performance.

 

MM: What emotions do you hope to evoke in fans when they watch your
band live
[Alex_Y]: Delight. Hope that their lives are not so bad and that they have us.
[Gena]: Is the desire to add us to your playlist and buy merchandise considered an emotion? =)
[Mirko_Death]: Every posible emotion
[Roman]: Drive
[Ivan]: To feel alive and energized.

 

MM: Do you have any favourite pre-show rituals?

[Alex_Y]: No
[Gena]:Have a beer or two
[Mirko_Death]:No
[Roman]: No
[Ivan] No

 

MM: How do you handle criticism or comparisons to other bands in the
scene?
[Alex_Y]: Positively. Because, to some extent, it is still competition. And competition is good;
competition gives rise to good products (remember Apple and Microsoft).

[Gena]: I dont care about criticism. Im always open to dialogue and even advice, but criticism doesn't
bother me at all.
[Mirko_Death]: Simple.I dont care. We are unique and our music is great.
[Roman]: I like critics because they show that people care about you. A lengthy post of criticism
reveals that the author is already emotionally invested in the subject. It's just better than regular. “It was
good.”
[Ivan]: I like criticism, but hate comparisons, as every band is unique and tells its own story.

 

MM: What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a band, and
how did you overcome it?
[Alex_Y]: Well, our entire Arctic Dreams project is one big challenge. At the very least, it involves
balancing regular work with musical activities. However, the biggest challenge for me was moving to
Serbia with my recording studio equipment. I will never forget that, and I will mention it in my memoirs.
[Gena]: The change in lineup after Serbia's first performances was a challenge. But everything worked
out and the group only got stronger.
[Mirko_Death]: We did not have any issues so far. I think we got along from the start and we have the
same goal.
[Ivan]: I am new to the band so nothing atm.

 

MM: Where do you see the band in five years, and what’s the ultimate
goal for your music?
[Alex_Y]: Well, in five years, we plan to go on normal tours and not work at regular jobs)) And the
ultimate goal is the legacy we will leave behind.
[Gena]: Nowadays, the planning horizon has narrowed to 2-3 days.
[Mirko_Death]: I see my self in bed with Charlize Theron. Band this time next year will be on Wacken.
Next five years this band will be recording new albums and playing every month.
[Roman]: In a stadium.
[Ivan]: 5 years is a very long period, I'm more of a person who would reduce it to an annual plan.
But I always think that the ultimate goal of every band should be to play what they love and be able to
make a living from it.

 

MM: Last song you listened to?
[Alex_Y]: Our song “Let me introduce my cosmic hell”)) Я работаю над монтажом концертного
видео для нее.
[Gena]: A song by Arctic Dreams that Im mixing. Its title is a secret.
[Mirko_Death]: Trivium-Strife
[Roman]: I re-listened to Rammstein yesterday.
[Ivan]: Depeche Mode - Barrel of a Gun

MM:Tell us why we should check out your band
[Alex_Y]: Because you will discover many new things for yourself. Whether you like it or not is up to
you.
[Gena]: Because!
[Ivan]: You should always check metal bands with Synths!

 

MM:Final Words for your fans our readers
We invite you to get to know us and our work.

 

https://arcticdreamsofficial.com
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https://audiomack.com/arctic-dreams
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