Interviews: Synaxaria

We have had the opportunity to interview the  Melodic Metal band Synaraxia from Belarus. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or come out just like that?

Dzmitry: It was planned. I am interested in collecting various old books and facsimile editions. At that moment, when there was a question about the name of the band, I was reading one of these books. These were "Eternal Posthumous Mysteries" - about the fate of human souls after death, according to Orthodox theology. And there I saw the word "synaxaria". This is a good-sounding word reminiscent of ancient traditions. It’s interesting, mystical, universal for any language, it’s remembered, convenient for a logo. So that's good. 

2. Why did you want to play this genre? 

Dzmitry: It was natural and gradual. We started in 2010 as an industrial / NDH project. Then we played something like gothic rock / metal. And today we have come to such a combination of styles as it is. This is NOT gothic metal, as many for some reason write about us. This is melodic metal with a varied mix of styles. In the future, certain changes in our music are also possible. But in general, we already have a certain direction. The following things will come from that we can be heard from us today. 

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Dzmitry: We were already married with Natalia when our band started :) And we made music together even before we got married. And Illya joined us later in 2018. A lot of musicians passed through us before him. 3 or 4 guitarists for sure. Illya, fortunately, is one of the best in this position. And he’s one of the few who really love metal and guitar in our country. 

4. Each band member favourite band?

Dzmitry: This is a simple question, but it is actually difficult for me. The thing is, I have my favorites in almost every genre in the history of the music industry. And even before that - in classical and folk music. I definitely don't like pathetic heavy-power metal and all the tick-tock pop-hip-hop SHIT that goes on in modern music. I also don't like stupid music in any genre. Otherwise I am open to any interesting bands in any styles. From Procol Harum to Wolfheart, from Jefferson Airplane to Wintersun, from Pink Floyd to Borknagar. Something like that)) 

Natallia: It won't be a surprise if I tell you I like different styles of music)). I try to find something special and interesting in various genres, so I admire classical music (especially Verdi and Michal Kleofas Oginsky, our famous author of polonaises), I love rock (from Shocking Blue till Avril Lavigne, she's cool!) and you got to admit some pop songs also have very professional structure and sound, like Mylene Farmer, for example. But Lacrimosa, Nightwish and Amorphis have a special place in my heart. Tristania and Theatre of Tragedy are also in this list. And I like crazy energy of Alestorm, of course)))

Illya: I like a lot of bands from the eighties: Cinderella, Mötley Crüe, W.A.S.P. , Skid Row, Guns N' Roses, Europe (2 albums in particular), Def Leppard, Whitesnake, DIO, Rainbow, Queen, Helloween, Place Vendome. Thrash bands from nineties: Pantera, Testament, Megadeth, Sepultura (especially the last album), gothic metal (Sentenced, Poisonblack, Type O Negative, Lacrimosa, To/Die/For), doom - Draconian, Saturnus, Paradise Lost, Cult of Luna, MDM - Dark Tranquillity, Arch Enemy, Amorphis, Mors Principium Est. Black - Behemoth, Cradle Of Filth. And I reserve a special place for Symphony X, Dream Theater, Angra, Avantasia, At Vance, Allen/Lande. 

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?  

Dzmitry: Previously, our lyrical themes were associated with personal relationships, psychological reflections on this. Our first album ‘Sadness Of Memories’ was written in this vein. But for a long time we have been devoting our work to those mystical impressions that we get from history, legends, and nature. We always take real, not fantasy things as a basis. To show that this wonderful world of our history and culture is not an illusion, but our real foundation. This is what we should remember and know. 

6. Where was your last gig?

Dzmitry: It was in early 2020 at our local rock/metal club. Today this place no longer exists, it was closed due to coronavirus. Our group has also been in decline since then. Good bassists and drummers choose pop cover-bands, not weird unpopular metal bands like us. 

7. Where would you like to act?

Dzmitry: I understand it is so interesting and funny to dream about some great stage or festival. But now I would be happy just to play our songs in the rehearsal room with like-minded people. It's pretty hard. When you played rehearsals and gigs for a long time, but today you see good musicians leaving our country or leaving music to feed their families. And the new generation wants to play tik-tok, not to learn to play music, so you shouldn’t wait for new musicians from there... 

Natallia: It's difficult to talk about live performances in all this situation with covid and lack of professional musicians... But I have a gig of a dream) It will be an big, well-organized open-air somewhere in historic place near ruins of a castle with a picturesque view on a river or lake. And we have such places here in Belarus! 

8. Whom would you like to feature with? 

Dzmitry: With a bass player and a drummer, we would look good, I think)) Of course, this sounds ridiculous and shameful, but it’s a reality of our country. The Dark Funeral from Sweden has changed 7 drummers in its history. There are minimum 7 drummers in Sweden who were able to play this crazy stuff! In Belarus, when 1 drummer leaves a metal band, they are told: guys, you can end your career, you won't find anyone else.

Natallia: In general, I feel comfortable with all variety of vocals and instruments we can produce with Dzmitry ourselves so I think a collaboration with professional drummer and bass player for live performances is more important for Synaxaria now... It was always interesting for me to know closer one or another musician, to talk with them, to discuss something, to know their point of view on different things, but it's more about human communication)) 

9. Whom not?

Dzmitry: You know, sometimes life itself gives answers to questions that you would never think about. Once the organizer of the gig wanted the go-go girls to dance on stage during our performance! It took a lot of work for us to give up this. We still were playing industrial-metal then. We had songs about war, violence against a person, social conflicts. And then, suddenly, go-go girls! WTF?! And now we sing about the atmosphere of old times, about the beauty of our native land. So, probably, our concept assumes slightly another performance on stage. Well, I guess so)) 

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?  

Natallia: Oh my God, it's my trouble, really! All my band-mates always make fun of me because of that! I'm always nervous before a gig and not only because of my parts but because of "ohhhh, nobody will come, ohhhh, nobody loves us")))))) But everything passes away when you see people under the stage, look into their eyes and understand they are really waiting for you! Of course, the reaction of listeners helps a lot. This is why my tip is addressed to fans: don't be shy! Don't be shy to support your favorite band, you can sing together with them, you can bang your head, you can get your groove! And for musicians... To know your parts, it's the first. And to choose some people under the stage who give you the best reaction and to have an eye-contact with them.

Illya: Stage fright? Get yourself together and go on stage! It's frightening only at first song)) 

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

In fact, this is any group that honestly and professionally does their job. I try to learn a little from everyone. Perhaps some kind of music will not be very close to me, but I can always see when a person does something from the heart and has artistic talent. Also, our project has its own sources of inspiration, which are in the tradition and aesthetics of our past. 

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for? 

Dzmitry: At our first concert, some absolutely drunk body climbed right onto the stage and began to ask: "Are you nazis? Answer me, are you nazis?" F***ck! It was probably very important for him to ask it right in the middle of our set, he couldn’t headbanging calmly without it. I'm well aware, it’s so burning question, lol!)) - Natallia: To choose a toy for his nephew's birthday. If you still think that's nice, you're wrong, because every single day he sent me messages describing what he's doing right now. "I'm having a breakfast, I'm watching your photos, I'm having shower, I'm going to sleep"... Uhhh, annoying a bit. 

13. What do you think of your fans? 

All the band: Oh, they are great people who perform a great feat! Today, few are able to come to a concert (even without coronavirus), buy records and even just listen to a song longer than 2 minutes. Therefore, those who do this are indeed the chosen ones! They are really non-standard and informal people, we love them! We are happy if we bring pleasant and interesting things to their lives with our creativity! 

14. What do you think of our site?

All the band: Nowadays when the rough time comes and young people don't interested in anything except hanging in Tik-Tok instead of listening to metal and rock and going to the live shows we can only say great thank you for your job! You support the metal community, you give people the opportunity to know about bands that are worth being known and you keep the flame of metal! We would like to express our gratitude and respect to you for all you do! Thank you for the conversation and take care of yourself. 

15. Something to add?

All the band: Dear friends! If you like our music we are always glad to see you on our pages in social media! We are glad to see your feedback. And we wish you to keep a bit of romanticism into yourself, in your heart and soul among this crazy world. Listen to good music and stay romantic!