Greetings Algkult. PAGAN has been in existence for over ten years now, I believe it's the oldest Black Metal band from Belarus, what keeps you driven and inspired to make extreme music? Do you think that you will be making music ten years from now?
Hail Jamie. I feel need to spreading the message through my creativity. Any thing can inspire me, if I feel that it attracts me and it is worthy to putting into the music. I think external strengths pierce deep inside of me and they speak through my mind. I feel a lot of hatred to reality. The constant depression condition is one of sources, which inspire me all time to do an extreme music. I’m still in condition to do music. Over these years I saw that this ability exists.


PAGAN's musical sound has changed very little over the years, you've always had that dismal, depressive sound that is so inspired by the first BURZUM LP yet with unique character and identity. Have you always had such a clear vision of how PAGAN should sound? Most bands seem to have some kind of identity crises, but this has never been the case with your music.
Not one album in the beginning of 90th, didn't sound so depressive as the first Burzum album. I was inspired by it. It's very similar to my inner condition. Yes, I feel it clearly, how Pagan does need to sound.


The first recording for a Baltic act I heard was the debut CD by Lithuanian band POCCOLUS back in 1996. It seems that there were just a few bands playing the black metal style then, whereas now... There has been an explosion of bands from the Baltic states, Ukraine and Belarus. Is this a good thing in your opinion, or did you prefer it when black metal was less known and played by only a few?
Yes, you are right, not much bands did play the Black Metal then here. Trend and fashion have done their work. The early years were so nostalgic. The old hordes were more dedicated. The modern explosion is just the musical tendencies, in bad understanding. I don't feel the possession in it.


Black Metal acts, by nature, have a very dark image and sound. However, in a great many cases this seems to be quite contrived and there is no 'dark' feeling in the music at all. Earlier bands like BURZUM and MAYHEM had this feeling of immense feeling of blackness. PAGAN also have this feeling; the whole sound, the riffs, the vocals, are saturated with a dank darkness which a rare thing to hear with the increased commercialism of the Black Metal genre. Is this 'feeling' something you think about and try to achieve when writing music, or does it just 'happen' and for the most part you are unaware of its presence?
I don't do the try to achieve this feeling. Sometimes it does fill me such as the condition of trance when you hear the riff. It’s the atmosphere, which gives it. Yes, it just happens.


You have a new recording that was released in 2004, called "Last Circle of the Abyss... To the Coming". This is in the classic PAGAN style, yet sounds even more depressive and dissonant than before. Is this a fair description?
Yes, you are right. The Pagan does sound dissonant and more depressive, of course.


There is a gap of 4 years or so between the recording of "Last Circle of the Abyss..." and the previous one, what was the reason for this? Did you need to take a break from music or were you hindered by practical elements like, recording costs?
Never I had need to take break from music. Some personal circumstances have had place here. I don't prefer to say about it.


Both the new CD and a re-issue of the 2000 debut "...And Darkness is Above All" have been issued on your own label Werewolves Records. Is Werewolves just a vehicle to release your own music or will you consider putting something out by other bands?
Now, the label works with Pagan only. Yes, it's vehicle to release own music.


Both PAGAN CD's out on Werewolves have been split releases with Possession Productions, who have previously released some of your music on MC. It must have been difficult for Werewolves to pay for and distribute a CD entirely by itself, so having the split releases with Possession must have been helpful for you. Will you continue to do them or do you want to release something 100% under the Werewolves banner in future?
It hasn't connection with payment or distribution. It hasn't meaning for me to do it with him or myself one.


I have to ask you about the other projects you've been involved in... I heard that STURM were intending to release something new in 2004, but haven't heard anything more about it. Has this project been frozen in ice again?
You are right, it was. But it was buried again.


The re-issue of "...And Darkness is Above all" has, as well as a fine sound quality thanks a remastering, a bonus track in the form of ZMROCZNY DOL, which makes beautfully melancholy synth soundscapes. This track was recorded in 1997... Was this a one-off project you've done or will we possibly here more from Z.D.?
From the beginning ZD was as emotions via synth music, but later I've stopped to practice the synth sounds. The track was recorded during "Hate to the light of life" session. Later decision was to use it as a separate tape from Pagan stuff. New elements were done for ZD. But it was never completed. You can hear them on the intros / outros on Šturm "Ultra", where they were used.


Regarding the band's name... The music is certainly not 'pagan metal' in the common sense of the phrase. There is minimal reference to religion of any kind in your lyrics. However, the word 'Pagan' can also mean 'Primitive'. Is this your preferred meaning of the name? The expression of primordial feelings such as fear, pain and anger through a primitive, 'Pagan', form of music ie Black Metal?
I see an existence via primitive forms and prefer your understanding of band name. The primordial feelings are more understandable for me, therefore I see so Black Metal.


Tell me something of your homeland of Belarus. Not much is known about this country in Western Europe, you have not moved towards the EU like most ex-Soviet states, and continue to remain politically subservient to Russia. Even the Belarussian language seems to be used less and less. You yourself refer to your home town of Hrodna by the Russian name of 'Grodno'... Is increasing 'Russification' of your country a concern?
Belarus is a sad and depressive land in my view. Therefore I think it does inspire in such way me also. The big swamps are on south. A lot of forests and hills are here. The cultural roots are original and unique. But unfortunately, a big part of nation is far away from our roots. As you said, the Russian invasion and occupation did destroy and still continue to do their work. Yeah, the language is in a bad condition, if we tell about knowing it. You can see the stupid mistakes and simply Russian words, when you see / read the media sources or the ads on Belarusian language. It do me mad. The hatred burns in our hearts!


Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions... Good luck to you, Algkult, to PAGAN and your other projects. You may have the final words.
Thanks for the questions and support. Best regards to you, Jamie. …and Darkness is above all.

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