AN NCS INTERVIEW: IRGA

 Interviews  No Responses »
Aug 252025
 

(In this new interview, a very interesting one, Comrade Aleks conversed with Piotr Podkolzin, the person behind the Moscow-based progressive/melodic black metal band Irga, whose newest album Black Pine Needles was released this past June in cooperation with Svanrenne Music.)

Irga from Moscow was started as an instrumental black metal project with a concept based on the story of a fictional haunted village where wrong things happen on a daily basis. Piotr Podkolzin was the sole member of Irga, but the release of the first album Welcome to Magovei inspired him to continue with guest musicians.

Logically, the project’s sophomore album – recorded now with live drums and vocals – turned out to be a product of another level. Black Pine Needles is an excellent example of modern (in a good sense of the word) and quite progressive black metal with an individual approach. Here we go deep into the dense grimness of Irga’s chthonic spirit alongside Piotr himself. Continue reading »

SHADES OF BLACK: A DEAD POEM, THE SUN’S JOURNEY THROUGH THE NIGHT, IRGA, GLYPH

 SHADES OF BLACK  1 Response »
May 042025
 

(written by Islander)

Today’s blackening of the sabbath will be shorter than usual. After finishing yesterday’s Seen and Heard column I did chores, then conversed for hours with a visitor to our home (a good friend from across the water in Seattle), then spent the late afternoon and evening watching a great baseball game at the local sports bar, then slept for 9 1/2 hours. And now I’ve got to leave home soon for another activity with friends.

So there’s the excuses. I know you didn’t need them. A shrink would make good money trying to diagnose why I feel the need to make them, and more money trying to figure out why I feel equally compelled to do these columns instead of fucking off like a normal un-churched person on Sunday mornings. Enjoy! Continue reading »