*When did you really get involved into music in general and into metal specific? Who was responsable for your interest in (metal) music?

It was started due to my father and older brother. At the beginning it was vinyls of Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. Firstly I heard it because they listened to it, but then, I started to enjoy it by myself. I was young and this music frightened me so much. But it was very interesting at the same time. I remember when I was sitting near the stereo system on the floor and listening to the first Sabbath album. It was a miracle. And still it is.

*Which artists or bands did influence you the most?

Time passes and tastes change a little. But there are unchanging things, the passion for which still does not pass. Probably this is Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden. Then it was early Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth.

*Which instrument do you play and how and when did you learn to play? Did you had lessons in school or private lessons? If so, was that because your parents expected that from you? Or did you learn to play the instruments by yourself? Do yo still follow some lessons?

Everything also happened thanks to my father .. he really wanted me to play the guitar. I was against it for a long time, because I was very fond of football. But rock and roll won out. As a result, I took the guitar in my hands and for several years just did not let go of it. I played day and night. It was some kind of mania, madness. I only let go of the guitar in my sleep. This is not the case now. I play much less. But I would not say that I am in bad shape. But that passion is gone .. work and family life imposes restrictions.

*Do you follow other or are you intrested in other styles of music beside metal? If so, what is the music you prefer to listen to?

It certainly depends on the mood. I really love old school hard rock. I love the blues very much. Sometimes I listen to folk music with pleasure. And in the car, for example, I have one of my favorite radio station – Lounge FM, where calm music plays: a mixture of jazz and kind’a new age music.

*Is music a full time job for you now or do you have a job beside music? If so, what kind of job are you doing? If you would be really succesful with music, would you quit your other job?

No, I do not only deal with music, I administer the office of a large corporation. Music is a passion and an expensive hobby. I’m not sure I could support my family by making music only. Probably not. And I don’t really believe that the day will come when I can do it. Let’s be honest – extreme metal is not the kind of music that can make money))) it’s all about passion, about what boils in your blood, but it’s definitely not a living.

*If you could start a band with other musicians on other instruments, which artist would you pick for wich instrument and why? (Something Like an “All Stars Band”.) Would you still go for a death metal / thrash metal metal band? Or would you do something completely different?

Hmm .. interesting question) yes, perhaps it would be metal! The first thing that comes to my mind is that I would definitely animate Chuck Schuldiner for guitar riffs. For drums, I would have invited Dave Lombardo, and for vocals I would have resurrected Dio. For bass guitar, I would invite Steve DiGiorgio. I don’t know what kind of music it would be, but something completely insane.

*If you had been banned to an uninhabited island and you may pick 5 albums to listen to, wich albums would you choose and why?

One of the albums would definitely be Black Sabath, probably the album ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’, the second one would probably be ‘Heaven and Hell’ with Dio. I have been listening to it all my life and itdoes not bother me. I would definitely take ‘Brave New World’ by Iron Maiden. Perhaps also ‘Justice For All’ by Metallica, and probably another Iron Maiden album – ‘Seventh Son Of Seventh Son’. This is the first thing that came to mind and probably the most correct one. Why am I not even ready to analyze)))

*Every new album (or ep) of a band or an artist is the best one, that’s what they always say. So here is a chance to promote the album. Why should a music lover buy your album? What are the standout tracks for you on this new album and why?

You know, our band is almost 20 years old and I think that during this time we have learned to play a little)) I think that our development and composing abilities, like good wine, are getting better and better every year. In addition, we do not release an album every year, and we do not go out into circulation and stamping. We have been making this album for almost five years and a lot of effort and inspiration has been invested in it. Just a couple of weeks ago, we received the very first review of our album from a German magazine. And I really liked the introduction, he said that in this time of quarantine and the inability to travel, the only way to “travel” is music. Our style is death metal with elements of orient and tribal music .. giving an opportunity to go on a journey into antiquity, where the Scythian tribes began their expansion in eastern Europe. If you are interested – join us in our trip!

– See “CD-Review” for a review (written in Dutch) for the new Hell:on album ‘Scythian Stamm’ (Hell Serpent Music) –

*I suppose you will promote this album through live concerts (when of course everyting is getting back to “normal” after the Covid 19 disaster). If so, would you prefer small clubs or big festivals? And is there a chance we can see Hell:on in Belgium?

Yes, we’d love to tour. I’d like to believe that we can do it next year. But let’s see. I like club shows more, when everything is very close and you are in maximum contact with the audience. But big festivals have their own romance. By the way, we played once in one concert in Belgium, it was a small club in the city of Mechelen. We were passing from Germany to Germany and by some miracle this city got into our concert schedule. I don’t remember the concert itself, but I remember very well that I was walking around the city in the afternoon with our vocalist, we went to a small pub near the center and wanted to try real Belgian bar beer. We went to a pub, but everything was still closed there. The owner said it was too early for the opening. But then he saw that we were not local and asked where we were from. We said from Ukraine and travel to Belgium just one day. He said: I’ll make an exception for you, and he poured us a beer .. we talked a little. It was a very tasty beer and a very good time, a good memory. I hope someday we can return to Belgium and enjoy your hospitality again!