- The contract was signed in October 1997, not long after we recorded our first self-produced demo tape. Soundscape Music offered us to release this demo in CD format, so as the result of all this, we have now our debut mCD "Betrayal Light of Fertile Ground", which was released in the middle of the summer 1998. It's hard to say whether are we fully satisfied with this deal or not. The positive aspect of our cooperation with the foreign label is of course a good opportunity to spread our music all over the world. Besides, we became the first Russian black-metal band ever released on the other side of the ocean. On the other hand, as you probably know, Soundscape Music Canada was recently closed down. It means that we won't get a proper promotion of our album anymore, the fact which aggrieves us a little. Nevertheless, we still continue to receive many good replies from different parts of the world. Recently, we even have got the offer from one Singapore based label to re-release "Betrayal Light of Fertile Ground" both on MC and CD. Meanwhile, we still have several copies of our mCD left from Soundscape Music Canada. They are available directly from us for only 6$US (Russia, CIS) and 10$US (worldwide).

- I try to avoid straight claims and labels when it comes to the description of our music. One should say that we play traditional influenced melodic black metal, and maybe it will be the right definition. As for the Russian lyrics of "BOPOHbI"... to my mind it fits quite well to the whole spirit of the song, which expresses the courage of the forgotten past and lost heathen domains, that once prospered upon our lands. Being a specific kind of instrument, vocals have their own melody, which consists of a certain phonetic set. This set, just like the folk music itself, is distinctive for every single nation, and the proper using of your native language certainly makes you closer to your origins. That's why we are going to continue this tradition in the future, so you should expect at least one more song performed in Russian on our forthcoming album.

- It just came naturally for us to add some kind of a live traditional instrument, which could create the unique folk atmosphere, that any kind of synthesized sound is not able to perform. Personally, I have nothing against keyboards. Moreover, I find interest into many kinds of synth music, but conformably to our present material, I think that their using will be absolutely out of place. And even if one day we decide to introduce keyboards to our music, it will have nothing common with this primitive soapy backgrounds, which many of present black metal bands are evoking from their synthesizers.

- As I mentioned above, during the recording of "Betrayal Light of Fertile Ground" we intended to use some folk instrument, which could help us to complete the overall picture of the sound, make it more rich and original. The guitars were already recorded, but we still hadn't decided what kind of instrument should we use. Thus, we started hastily to seek the proper musician and the proper instrument, which would fit both our music and our band. The friend of mine told me, that he knew the girl who played flute well, and she even performed the flute parts in Satyricon cover at one of the concerts in their university. He also said, that she had nothing against playing in black metal band. And I thought that was what we needed: not only a player, but the one with desire to play. So Olga became the part of Sunchariot. Speaking about the bands with female back-vocalists, I can only say that it's only up to the band to decide how and who will feature in its music. If they're choosing girl to sing only backgrounds, well, it's on their own. At least, a pretty girl with good voice and musical ear is much better than primitive keyboard samples.

- Yes, of course. Each of us has his own ideas, influenced on him not only by metal, but by the other genres of music as well. We've always tried to widen the borders of black metal and that was one of the main reason why the life was given to Sunchariot in the beginning of 1996. We're using black metal as a basis, as some kind of experimental ground, upon which we can sow and reap the sprouts of new musical cultures. And I hope, that the results of our work will become more evident in the nearest future.

- Yes, I'm living right in the core of this dirty city with its daily occurrence and industrial turmoil. I really can't stand this, that's why I often like to walk alone outside the town, into the neverending steppes and groves, along the riverbanks and mirror waters of the pools, surrounded by quietly rustling cane. The autumn solitude of Nature holds much more beauty for me than everyday life in the hell of ordinary people whose customs and mentality are completely alien to me.

- I'm not interested in Rostov-on-Don metal scene anymore, because to my mind it has been dead since 1995. Besides, we've always been apart of this crap, which is called Rostov metal underground. Though, there were many black metal bands here, but all of them died naturally, 'cause their music was poor and their heads were empty. Only those, who have enough strength, skills and ideas will survive.

- I can't answer for the rest of the band, so I will speak only for myself. I'm indifferent to any kind of religion, which enslaves your mind and turns you into brainless cattle-like creature. I'm not a convinced atheist though. I have my own angels and demons, which lead me through this life of loneliness and deep depression.

- Until now no one from the band ever took part in any musical side-projects. But personally I'm nurturing the idea of creating my own electronic project which definitely will have nothing to do with metal. I hope that this idea will be finally realized this year.

- The material for the new full-length was ready long time ago. All we have to do now is to enter the studio, an event which will happen very soon, this month probably. I don't want to describe it in details, just wait a little and you will hear it yourself. All I have to say, is that this would be an album full of sad and enchanting folk moods, created by dominating ultra-melodic guitar parts and plenty of atmospheric flute breaks. Also, it will be most likely the last folk oriented album for Sunchariot. After that we're planning to explore new dimensions which could be revealed by the combination of black and gothic musical genres.

- To that moment Sunchariot attended only one gig. It was "Rock-City Fest II: Black Metal Invasion" which took place in Moscow on the 15th of November 1998. We were recognized as one of the best black metal bands ever played on this performance. Nevertheless, we don't like to participate in live shows at all. It could be explained mainly by our negative attitude to audience and of course bad organization of the concerts, so you shouldn't expect to see Sunchariot live again soon. I don't care with what bands should we play. We've never been a part of any musical or ideological organizations. We are developing in our own way, counting only upon our own desires and abilities.

- Internet indeed is a great information source. It helps people to communicate each other in fast and most reliable way. Wherever you live you could easily reach any corner of the planet, set the personal contacts with any band or label, in which you get interested. We proceeded all our conversations with Soundscape through the Internet only, and the results were better than great. In my opinion, every serious label or band must have their own website. Otherwise, they are simply losing another powerful form of advertising, presented by this boundless community, called WWW. That's why Sunchariot is fully presented in Internet. Besides Sunchariot, I recently managed to open The Official Homepage for the unique Norwegian band Penitent. It can be found at: http://penitent.ic.ru. Those, who find their interest in dark and majestic neo-classical music, should definitely check this page out.

- Thank you for your time. Live by your heart and stay true. That's all.