The Ukrainian metal scene is not the most active on our radar but we can introduce you to one band which more than warrants attention. It is Kiev hailing melodic metallers Scarleth. The past decade has seen them share stages at numerous shows and festivals with the likes of Blind Guardian, Rage, Ensiferum, Rotting Christ, Leaves’ Eyes, and Kalmah. Embracing an array of rich flavours their sound has grown into an ear grabbing proposition which will reveal another fresh breath in the quintet’s upcoming new album. We had the pleasure to find out more about the band, release, and more with guitarist Victor.
Hello and thanks for taking time out to talk with us.
Hello! Nice to talk to you 🙂 I’m Victor, leader and founder of the band.
Can you first introduce the band and give us some background to how it all started and how you all came together?
The band was formed in 2005 by myself (Victor Morozov). First line-up included both of my sisters (Renata – vocals, Nina – keyboards).
After that, numerous line-up changes took place until current line-up has finally appeared:
Victor Morozov – guitar
Yana Kovalskaya – keyboards
Ekaterina Kapshuk – vocals
Igor Chumak – bass
Philipp Kharouk – drums
The band was originally formed in Donetsk, Ukraine. Basically, it was my idea to form a band. As a teenager, I was impressed by such bands as Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, so I wanted to form my own band. Ritchie Blackmore was my hero, he is the reason I picked up guitar to play.
Have you been/are involved in other bands before? If so has that had any impact on what you are doing now?
SCARLETH is the first and the only band for Victor and Ekaterina, both of them haven’t played in other bands before.
Yana was in the following bands before SCARLETH: Stella Vespera (2009–2012), Luna Dream (2012-2014), Dante (2013-2015).
Philipp was part of these bands before he joined SCARLETH: B.W.N., Trapped In Tremble, Maleficar, Vyhr Grez, Kolard, Body Juice.
Igor played in few bands before SCARLETH, but that was too long ago to remember their names 🙂
Current line-up of SCARLETH has been around for about 2 years now.
I don’t think previous bands influenced us in any way; Scarleth has its own style which is constantly evolving.
What inspired the band name?
SCARLET was just a cool simple name which came to my sister’s mind 🙂 I only added “h” to the end of the word, so it looks more “metal”.
We also like this name because it doesn’t limit our musical style in any way. We can play anything we want under this title.
Was there any specific idea behind the forming of the band and also in what you wanted it and your sound to offer?
At the start, band was planned as cover band. But right after the start, our own songs begin to appear, so we’ve had short time with cover songs.
As for sound, we always wanted to sound different to others that is why we try to include as many different elements as possible to our songs.
And the same ideas and inspirations still drive the band when it was fresh-faced?
It’s the same – passion for music and wish to give good music to our fans and listeners. We never placed money or fame as main driving-force. Making good music which we like and playing it is most important for us.
Since your early days, how would you say your sound has evolved?
It became heavier, more modern. The new album will be even more into this direction. But also it will touch pop-metal genre which is new for us. It will be interesting record, so don’t forget to buy it when it will be released and support our band.
And that has been an organic movement of sound or more the band deliberately wanting to try new things?
That is natural – we do not plan any changes. We just evolve as people, and our music evolves together with us. And this is really interesting journey. We are happy to be who we are.
You mentioned your own specific spark to make music and presumably across the band there is a wide range of inspirations; are there any in particular which have impacted not only on the band’s music but your personal approach and ideas to creating and playing music?
I think life itself is main source of inspiration. Travelling, movies, computer games, anything we do – has its influence.
As for bands who has impact on us I can say – Within Temptation, Black Sabbath, Amaranthe.
Is there a particular process to the songwriting within the band?
Yes. We start with simple melodic idea or riff then create song structure. Lyrics are created after that. Most of our songs are written this way. But not all of them, there are always exceptions.
Where do you, more often than not, draw the inspirations to the lyrical side of your songs?
From life situations, from something that really grabs our souls. It may be scene from movie or just something happened to us on the road. Just about anything. Life has so many unexpected moments, you know 🙂
Could you give us some background to your new album?
Our latest release is called The Silver Lining, which was released back in 2015. It includes nine tracks we are really proud of, I think these are the best we’ve done so far.
All the tracks on the CD are very different to each other, so if you like diversity in music – we can really recommend to give it a try.
Album was recorded in Kiev in Morton Studio. Max Morton is our good friend; he is really professional sound engineer and sound producer, so we should thank him for great sound on this CD.
Give us some insight to the themes and premise behind its songs.
I think you are asking about lyrics? Lyrics of our songs are as diverse as is the music. You can find quite interesting stuff besides just regular “love songs” or “freedom songs”. I think I should avoid spoilers, so it will be more interesting for you to listen to the songs yourselves 🙂
Are you a band which goes into the studio with songs pretty much in their final state or prefer to develop them as you record?
We like to finish everything before going to the studio. But sometimes great ideas appear during recording, so we take them with pleasure. It’s always cool not to know what will happen next 🙂
Tell us about the live side to the band, presumably the favourite aspect of the band?
We are big fans of performing our music live. It’s really important for us. When you play live, you can feel band’s energy and reaction of your fans. That is main value for us as artists.
Travelling to festivals may be not easy, but performance itself is always rewarding.
It is not easy for any new band to make an impact regionally let alone nationally and across the world. How have you found it?
You are right – it is not easy, and we are still in the process of getting through. We can only suggest to believe in your own music, play it as much as you can and do everything for it to be heard. Never say die 🙂
How has the internet and social media impacted on the band to date? Do you see it as something destined to become a negative from a positive as the band grows and access to your music is or is maybe out of your hands a little?
Internet helped us a lot. We can use those tools to get our music to the public, it is very important. However, illegal downloads are also take place, and that is not a good thing. But anyway, I think internet is a really good thing for band’s promotion.
Once again a big thanks for sharing time with us; anything you would like to add or reveal for the readers?
Thank you! Listen to good music, be yourselves, just live and do what you really like 🙂 See you soon on the road!
Explore the sounds and imagination of Scarleth further @
http://scarleth.com.ua/ http://www.facebook.com/scarlethmetal http://www.instagram.com/scarlethband/ http://youtube.com/scarlethband
Pete RingMaster 07/07/2018
Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright
Its Middle Eastern spices are even richer within the following and equally exceptional Echoes In The Night. They emerge from the initial shadows of the song, dark corners and provocative ecclesiastical chants enticing as they are soon in union with the wiry tendrils of guitar. With Blancmange like qualities, those cosmopolitan essences dance seductively on the ear, keys and guitar weaving an entrancing beckon before the grittier tones of Anastasia walk the eager stroll. Her lead guitar prowess teases around and alongside too while rhythms share their excitable shuffle in a proposal which has the body as lustfully involved as the imagination.
The EP opens with the spellbinding Black Rose, a song which instantly has ears and imagination involved through the evocative keys of Platon, and increasingly seduced by the siren-esque tones of Hansson emulated in potency by those of Ferhm. Rhythmically the song is reserved yet striking enough to support the expressive narrative of vocals and piano as they colour the song with feisty elegance. It is a catchy and welcoming start to the release matched by the contrasting shadow wrapped presence of Deception which follows. Led by the mellow yet angst lined tones of Ferhm, the song cradles ears and thoughts in a provocative embrace of emotional balladry. The drums of Sandberg create a brooding drama behind the core refection of voice and piano, an almost epic shadow aided by the equally haunted lure of Jönsson’s bass, whilst all combined leaves attention and pleasure easily entranced.
twinned vocals of Ferhm and Rapp flow just as easily over the senses, aligning excellently together around the firm beats and melodic beauty which colours the passion of the song. It is a superb start to the release, a mesmeric and finely honed entrance by the band into a keen attention and an early appetite for their promise.
led to believe coming from inner feelings and experiences for a personal passion, but the emotive strength and descriptive quality of the music goes a long way in inspiring imagery and thoughts in the listener, their relation to the songs unimportant but wholly connected to the melodic warmth and stirring passion created by the band. The opening track Kadans Vremeni is a prime example, the portentous brewing whispers of the instrumental a haunting and striking sense of foreboding and suggested bedlam to leave emotions startled, unsure, and enthralled. There is a deep sinister breath to its presence which intimidates yet seduces as it makes way for the following Zhazhda Zhit’, a song with a core of sinewy riffs and testing rhythms wrapped in a heated and bewitching melodic expanse driven by the outstanding voice of Nikiforova, her tones as mesmeric and golden as the sounds surrounding her. With the keys adding their own distinct enchantment the song is a vibrant and captivating pleasure matched impressively across the whole release.
