- I don't know exactly what to tell you. I think it's the history of the band to be the most dull part of any interview in underground magazines. That's why I'll try to let you know the brief history of CRYPTHOWL. It started in 1997 as a one-man project. Before the end of 1997 I recorded a promo-tape which was spread in 300 copies over the world. Positive reviews give me the forces to go on with CRYPTHOWL and now I'm trying to finish the recording of the debut album of my band. I've said «band» because now I have some musicians which help me on rehearsals.

- I want to compose music and lyrics myself, it's the best way for creative activity - when you are absolutely free. And I decided to act alone, in a way of «one man project». But, nevertheless , I needed a full line-up to work on the stage. Live performances are the important part of metal band promotion and that's why I found the musicians: two guys (guitar and bass-guitar) and a girl (keyboards).

- The most easy way was to call it sympho black metal, but I don't want people to think of me as of one of those who declare blasphemous, satanic or pagan manifestations, making show of their beliefs. As for me, I want to parade my music, which undoubtedly is the major part of CRYPTHOWL's songs. My lyrics are about horror topics, that's why I prefer to call the style of CRYPTHOWL «Atmospheric Horror Metal». But, nevertheless, CRYPTHOWL is under the strong influence of symphonic black metal.

- There is nothing special about Kaluga's underground. There is a dozen of bands which exist half a year in common, playing one or two concerts and never trying to record a demo. I don't think that they are the serious bands. I can single out FESTERGUTS (sympho death/black) and CRYPTHOWL - the only bands to be known among those, who are in underground.

- Yes, you are right. Ancient term «Oupire» has the same meaning as English «vampire» and, conformably, Slavonic «upir».

- You are in the wrong, because I take a great interest in everything concerning the beyond, including the themes of vampirism. But these are not a major part of my lyrics, I try to embrace the whole spectrum of what is dark and eerie. That's why I don't concentrate my researches upon the sole problem of vampirism and therefore I'm not a great authority in this field, though I try not to miss the opportunity to get to know something new about this evil phenomenon. As for Slavonic traditions concerning vampirism I would say that there is no evident difference between the beliefs of vampires in West Europe and those in East one. The only thing that I'd lake to pay attention on is that in Slavonic traditions the vampires are more loathsome and ferocious whereas those in West Europe often appear as the representatives of aristocracy, with noble manners, etc.

- I know nothing about the mentioned ones and would be very much obliged to you if you'll let me know the literature to read more about them. As for the last question I'm sure that if they act according to their manifestation they are fools, because it's very hard to find a vampire sacrificing his lifeforce to someone else, even to the Undead Gods. Vampire feeds on somebody else's life, he is a parasite. Although, this manifestation could be interpreted in another way, as if it's like an appeal, a threat to mortals of forthcoming sacrificing of their lives. If it's so, it would be interesting to investigate this horrible phenomenon.

- I plan to release MC with half an hour of symphonic aggressive music. If you compare the forthcoming release with the promo tape you will discover the distorted guitars presence (mind that there were no distorted guitars on CRYPTHOWL's promo tape) and this will be the only change in music to take place. Lyrically the album will remind you the promo tape, the poetical conception is still the same.

- I can tell nothing special about my ties with Horror Records. Azter, the chief of this label wrote me about his support of CRYPTHOWL and sent me some offers. It was the common tie like the other ones with various labels. But I decided to release the MC of CRYPTHOWL by my own. So, the new label called Oupiric Productions started its activity. I also search for some good bands to release much more varied MC's, not only CRYPTHOWL's ones.

- I like Ukrainian metal bands very much. It seems to me that the scene in Ukraine is the strongest among the ex-USSR scenes, even if to compare with Russian one. I can single out such bands as LUCIFUGUM, FORGOTTEN SPIRIT, NOKTURNAL MORTUM - they are the monsters, they rule! Undoubtedly, Ukrainian black metal bands are really prosperous and are not similar to all that Norwegian scrap. Death metal of Ukraine is the blank space for me, but having contacts with some death metal bands from there I know that Ukrainian brutal death metal scene is gaining strength. Unfortunately, I haven't listened to a lot of Ukrainian bands (including CASTRUM), so my review is not impartial.

- I'm not an ardent worshipper of Chuck Schuldiner's work, but listen to his albums with some pleasure because there are a lot of melodies and excellent guitar solos in his songs. But I like his first album very much for the primitive malice, ferocity and violence, concentrated in the songs of «Scream Bloody Gore». And I have chosen «Evil Dead» because it's my favourite song from this album, which I liked to listen to when I was a child. I've tried to make a sympho black metal version of this song.

- Performing gigs was my aim when I was searching for a musicians. We have played no concerts until now for we are not ready for it. But we'll try to make a horror show of high quality as we are ready. Just wait for it!

- See you in my crypt! Your blood is my life!