The Armenian rock fans want this sector have the government’s support
In April, the world-famous rock band SYSTEM OF A DOWN’s performance in Yerevan showed the world the Armenians love and interest towards this art. The Armenian rock music began in our country in the mid-60s of the last century. A large number of rock groups and performers, including Arthur Meschian’s “Apostles”, “Kaleidoscope”, “1 + 2”, then the “Asbarez” appeared in 1980’s, Arthur Mitinyan’s legendary “Ayas”, and hard rock “Maximum” were well recognized in the USSR. In the mid-1980s, perhaps the most significant and influential “Vostan Hayots” appeared on the stage, later on, «MDP» and «Oaksenham» groups became famous, as well as Vahan Artsruni, who was recognized for his unique style also abroad. Rock music festivals that began in 1970s (even the festivals were held in the “Dynamo” stadium) are continued till now, but the rock music fans have repeatedly voiced that it is due to the lack of government support in recent years that today this music industry seemed to be organized by the amateur level. Especially, the rock music fans wanted express a wish to expand the scope of the festivals in our country, reaching to the international level.
“Aravot” met UNAESTHETIC metal group in one of the Yerevan clubs. Note that 5 groups of this direction is known to us, including, HAYARD, INFECTED CINEMA (progressive metal), AYAS (symphonic metal). Listened to the UNAESTHETIC, we revealed that this band delivers a melodic, more stringy and saturated music, and the presented texts express various emotional state of mind. In the interview with us, these words were confirmed by the author of the compositions and texts, guitarist and vocalist, Vladimir Melikyan. Detailing, he said, “We are suggesting also black humor, romantic, depression, even cynical, as well as philosophical texts, DOON/INDUSTRIAL metal-oriented.” Our interlocutor introduced the other musicians of the group: Ruben Arevshatyan (guitar), Georgy Pirumov (bass guitar) and Harut Keshishyan (drums). He also said that with the current staff they play since 2010, BLACK METAL oriented (fast rhythm), and in 2012, the group UNAESTHETIC was established.
We asked Vladimir Melikyan about who invite them to play and whether the “top” knows this metal band. “We receive invitations from different organizations, but we still do not have invitations, in your words, from the top, probably they do not know us. Soon, we will release the band’s first album and hopefully, the 11 songs included in the album would make UNAESTHETIC more recognizable to the broader audience,” said the musician. He noted that the group’s first overseas concert took place in 2013, in Georgia’s PLUS ONE OPEN AIR FESTIVAL, and this spring, they took part in the international rock festivals in Finland and Estonia that has already become a tradition.
To the curiosity of whether they have songs with the texts of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide that they have presented to the festivals, Vladimir Melikyan replied, “Certainly, we refer to the audience not by the art but the words, we constantly remind them that there is a developed country land Armenia in the world, where the first great crime against humanity, the genocide, was implemented by the Turks in the 20th century. The overseas audience is chanting that they recognize and condemn the Armenian Genocide.” Our interlocutor also informed that the band will leave for Poland in July for concerts, moreover, they have received the invitation this spring after their performance at the festival in Estonia.
Samvel DANIELYAN, “Aravot” daily
