Something For Saturday...

 .... I am getting really sick and tired listening to "opinions" that Aria is a clone of Iron Maiden. They are NOT. Since their second album they developed their unique style, which, surprise-surprise, as any real metal bands took them into opera and progressive rock field--inevitable when you master music theory and your instrument. The better you get, the more complex forms you desire--true for anyone. As I stated before, Russia recognized Valery Kipelov, and by default, Russian power metal as a cultural institution by awarding Valery the title of Merited Artist of Russia. This is huge. One may ask why not Iron Maiden? Well, they are British responsibility and Aria stopped being "Russian" Iron Maiden since the album Blood For Blood. To understand why they were never a "clone" of Iron Maiden. 

I am not sure Bruce could ever sing this. I am not even discussing the lyrics of a genius Margarita Pushkina. They always have been a consummate Russian band...

It Was A Hard Year. Let's Relax, Somewhat.

Yet, I still can sense a rebel, in a good sense, spirit and some seeds of possible revival. No, not of the "Western Civilization" as they try to sell to us today--it has no relation to anything "Western"--but of humanity in general, granted that it is not easy to remain human nowadays. "Western Civilization" as it really is, is not what passes today for it. The Western Civilization which I love is not what it is today--there is nothing "Western" in it--but there was a time when a free spirit was almost free and not in a sense of "third wave feminism" finding "empowerment" in baring itself and behaving like sluts, or men becoming metrosexuals, but in a sense of freedom of thought which still had a very clear understanding between right and wrong, between tasteful and despicable, between beautiful and ugly. For some reason, on the eve of fvcking 2020 (and decade) departing I want to recall some really good, in aesthetic sense, things I personally consider to be those still glowing cinders of human free artistic spirit and goodness. You know that I am a rocker, so, you may as well enjoy (or otherwise) some things I enjoy, from the time it was good to be...well... free. Yes, it was that stunning and I was there, on ELO's 2019 American Tour, Hallelujah;)))

But, of course, they still delivered something special at Wembley in the country which, pretty much, doesn't exist anymore. But humanity still does.

In general, modern technology allows to deliver some truly stunning performances which have a profound impact. Russians, certainly, got the idea of live concert which provides an amazing delivery for a true talent. 

So, if anyone says it is "too commercial", well, too bad--the best music, actually, came through "commercial" performances which have been done by real professionals. So, let's enjoy something which is not flimsy but solid and enjoyable in this passing decade in terms of music. Here is Aria delivering a stunner in the same venue as Polina Gagarina in the clip above. 

Musically and performance-wise it rivals anything Iron Maiden or Judas Priest ever did, but that is the sign of times--it is all out there and anyone can enjoy it. Think about it--we couldn't even dream about access to such a treasure 20 years ago. We have it now, and not to music alone. Russians meanwhile do real power metal. 

So, enjoy the passing of this shitty year. We will not miss it.

Milos Obilic And Kosovo......

Milos Obilic who is known to Russians since Soviet times (and earlier)--his picture killing him a Sultan in every Soviet history books for school. A holy Orthodox warrior--for a Cross. This is how it sounds today--Kosovo Polje, Kosovo is Serbia... Kipelov says so and it is true....

While West is "celebrating" its rainbow demise........

One of the greatest rock voices of all time--Valeriy Kipelov (former Ariya). Together with one of the insane guitar players of all time- Sergei Mavrin and Terentiev.

Manyakin on drums is not bad either.