Arkona

In 2002, in Moscow, Masha (chant) and Warlock (battery), members of a local pagan community called "Vyatich", decided to form Arkona (originally called "Hyperborea"). The two Russians, anxious to pay tribute to the nature, pagan beliefs and historical past of their country, through a metal strongly impregnated with folklore, recruit some musicians to record their first demo ("Rus").
From 2003, the troupe began to perform a few concerts in its region, then Masha, a dedicated woman front, advanced the idea of a first album. But despite the few promising dates, the band's musicians lose their interest in Arkona's music, leaving Masha alone with her project.
She then asked for help from members of Nargathrond , in which she also sings, to help her record the album. Employees who later formed the stable and official line-up of Arkona: Sergej "Lazar" on guitar, Ruslan "Kniaz" on bass and Vlad "Artist" on drums and synths. Barely the first album landed in the bins, Masha devoted herself to the composition of "Lepta", the second album, which will be released in winter 2004. It is from the third opus, "Vo Slavu Velikim", that the combo decides to set aside the synth a bit and to use traditional ethnic instruments (which will give rise to many live and studio collaborations). Masha and her writing force are the creative epicenter of Arkona and it is at the rhythm of a production per year that the group completes its brilliant journey. Only 2008 was a white year for Arkona regarding the release of the album, but the band is expected to catch up in 2009 with the arrival of the much expected "Goi, Rode, Goi!", their fifth opus.