Interview: Second to Sun (Sylvia)

You are all from Russia, correct? How did you become interested in music, and metal?

Yes, we all are from Russia, absolutely right. I grew up on Scandinavian heavy music. For a long time, I was a session musician. In the end, I decided to do what was close to me since childhood.

How did the band form? What is the music scene like in Russia?

We are from St. Petersburg. The music scene in Russia is a very peculiar phenomenon. Local musicians try to copy European and American achievements, which are horrible at heart. In Russia, there is so much of this fashion notion. It is the music which your friends are listening to, and this fashion can suddenly change. For example, melodic metal like Children of Bodom can suddenly be replaced by metalcore like Asking Alexandria. If later it becomes fashionable to shit on the head of your bass player, you’ll see how our bands already push. Something like that.

And at the same time the fans are quite grateful people, it seems to me, and the Russian audience in general.

Your work incorporates Russian history and folklore. For instance, the song Vasilia is based on an old fairy tale, Region 13 is about a rebellion in the Teryushevsk, while Lagoda Master is about much more current events. Can you talk a bit about the inspiration for these songs?

Certainly it is the Finno-Ugric nations, as I’m myself related to them. All these songs are, one way or another, dedicated to Finno-Ugrians. Respectively, you can find it in the lyrics section.

How would you describe your style?

I think it is post-black metal, but we use a lot of groove, like Pantera, in our songs. Also, we have no vocals, so for the listeners the answer for the question “What does Second to Sun play?” is always complicated.

But if you’re one of those bastards which call us progressive metal or djent and read this, what can I say except maximalist “go fuck yourself”? Seems like nothing.

What was your recording process like?

I try to record tracks without ‘gluing’ the guitars. I fully give myself to the process, and ask the same from other band members. I’m very pedantic as well, so I try to have everything at the right place in all aspects. We don’t drink alcohol, none of us smoke; we try to approach recording very seriously.

Have you played many live shows?

Never.

What were some of the challenges you’ve faced as a band?

It was the shity album released in 2013. It’s going to take a long time for us to disentangle that. It’s very hard to reach our real listeners because of this. It’s just terrible.

Aside from music, what do you like to do?

I am a sound engineer, so I’m constantly into music.

Who are your favorite musicians and artists? Which ones have inspired you the most?

I think it’s Darkthrone, Immortal, Mayhem and of course Emperor. I like Behemoth too, and Pantera made a huge impact on us.

What is coming up next for Second to Sun?

I don’t know. I get really pissed off when my music gets into wrong ears. There are many assholes that misinform the listeners by calling us progressive metal. We think about that quite often and the results are just getting worse and worse. I think there is nothing good ahead and there won’t be.