Number 13
RUSSIA
RUSSLAND
РУССИЯ
KALEVALA
"NAGRYANULI"
BIOGRAPHY
Kalevala (Russian: Калевала) is a Russian folk metal band. The name of the band is derived from the Finnish national epic. The group chose this name because lead vocalist Xenia Markevich has a Finnish background: both her parents are Finnish. Moreover, the band is inspired by ancient Finnish and Sami music, Finno-Ugric legends and contemporary Finnish music like Finntroll, Korpiklaani etc. After a concert in Penza at April, 15th 2007 with their band Nevid, singer Xenia and guitar player Nikita Andrianov decided to leave this band and start for themselves. Nikita had collected lots of folk matter, and they made a number of concepts, which they sent to friends hoping to start a new band with them. Together with keyboard player/ accordion player Alexandr Oleinikov, bassist Alexandr Schmel and drummer Mark Vasili who were recruited from other bands, they started Kalevala.
After their first demo in 2007 was well downloaded in the internet and got good reviews, they decided to have a concert at that same autumn, at October, 5th. Soon, more concerts followed, in Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
In April 2008, the first album was presented: Kudel Belosnezhnogo L'na (Snow white flax hair). This album accelerated the success of the band: in summer 2008 they were present at several folk festivals. One year later, their second studio album appeared: Kukushkiny Djeti (young cuckoo) and one more year later, Vjed'ma (witch) appeared. In 2011, the group released a professional video clip: Son-Reka (Dream river).
In a 2011 interview Nikita told that they are thinking about an acoustic album, having the working name "Sami Sun".
Kalevala has until now only acted inside the former Soviet Union but their aspirations certainly go beyond those borders.
Actual band members: Xenia Markevich (singer), Nikita Andrianov (guitar), Alex Mitrofanov (bass -since March 2014), Denis Zolotov (drums - since July 2011).
НАГРЯНУЛИ
Не было собак — да вдруг залаяли.
Поздно ночью — что за чудеса!—
Кто-то едет? слышишь, в поле за сараями
Раздаются чьи-то голоса...
Ты прости нас, полюшко усталое,
Ты прости, как братьев и сестер:
Может, мы за все свое бывалое
Разожгли последний наш костер.
Не было гостей — и вот нагрянули.
Не было вестей — так на! Получай!
Как под ивами багряными
Расходился праздник наш невзначай.
Ты прости нас, полюшко усталое,
Ты прости, как братьев и сестер:
Может, мы за все свое бывалое
Разожгли последний наш костер.
Под луной, под гаснущими ивами
Посмотрели гости мой любимый край
И опять умчались, ой да торопливые,
И пропал вдали собачий лай...
Может быть они, последний раз нагрянули,
А может быть, скоро нас навестят...
Как по саду, садику багряному
Грустно-грустно листья шелестят.
Ты прости нас, полюшко усталое,
Ты прости, как братьев и сестер:
Может, мы за все свое бывалое
Разожгли последний наш костер.
RAIDED
Was not dogs – but have started to bark
Late at night – what a miracle!
Someone is going? Listen, there in the field
behind the shed someone’s voice are resounding
Excuse us, our tired field
Excuse us as brothers and sisters
Maybe, we for all that was here,
Have kindled our last fire.
Was not guests but they are descending
Was not notices – and now you have it
As under the scarlet willows
Was celebrated casually our holiday
Excuse us, our tired field
Excuse us as brothers and sisters
Maybe, we for all that was here,
Have kindled our last fire.
Under the moon, under the willows
We have watched our lovely land
And again have gone hurried
And dog’s bark disappeared
Maybe they have descanding last time
Maybe they soon will visit us
Like in a garden leaves
Have soughed sadly
Excuse us, our tired field
Excuse us as brothers and sisters
Maybe, we for all that was here,
Have kindled our last fire.