Official Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/infectedua?ref=ts&fref=ts
A young band from Kiev sprung into existence on 10.10.91 under the INFECTED monicker.
Pryga exclusively answers to Vishal of EUMSN.
Vishal - Can I get the story of your band & biography?
Pryga - Well… The history of our group begins since 1990, when the four of friends-schoolmates has gathered to create a rock group. Metal inspired us on it. Under the name of INFECTED Kiev band began its existence, at the 10.10.1991. Initially more hardcore oriented, the band gradually shifted towards more extreme styles of music, while cementing their original line-up:
Yaroslav ‘Poruchik’ Rempinsky – guitar
Vitaly ‘Pryga’ Prygunov – drums
Vladimir Yatsenko – bass
Dmitry ‘Fuck You’ Artemenko – vocals
Thi first year was the band’s preparation time, taking a lot of experimenting with styles, building new material, recording demos while playing several local gigs.
January 1993 INFECTED hits Kiev KOMORA studios to record their first ever demo single, ‘Surrounded by Infection’. This song, along with two live performances filmed in June 93 during ‘Jamix-Show’ in Ukraine Palace became sources for three respective videos produced by Anatoly Vekslyarsky and TV Megapol. Within a year of heavy rotation as part of ‘Jamix’ TV show these videos give the band a very good promotion.
A the peak of the ‘first wave of fame’ Dima ‘F… You’ parts ways with the band, to be replaced by Alexander ‘GRN’ Tynkievich. With further addition of Sergey ‘Bronya’ Bronovitsky on guitar duties the line-up was finally established. The band’s style underwent significant changes as well, transforming into a powerhouse of Death/Grind.
Before recording their debut LP Infected participate in several fests (the 10-th ADEM anniversary in Kiev, Terrorizer Fest in Vinnitsa, Thrash-Mania 93 in Lugansk, Nuclear Rain in Kharkiv), they do a solo gig in Kiev, and tour Ukraine.
The footage from some of these gigs was used to make two live videos produced by TV Megapol.
In January 1995 INFECTED begin recording their first LP, ‘Infected Generation’ at the DZZ Studios (House of Recordings, Kiev).
The work was done by June, and the band proceeded to look for publishing company. Finally they decided to approach their friends, George Dementiev and the CORE shop, who published the debut cassette album. The 1000 copies (a modest number by that time) were sold out in no time, and the album is still considered a rare gem among the fans.
The band continued to stay active in the metal underground, further solidifying their status as leaders of Ukrainian metal scene.
Failing to adhere to band’s internal discipline, ‘Bronya’ decides to jump ship while no replacement was hired.
A year later Alexander ‘GRN’ (who often substituted for the missing guitar players during rehearsals) finally added rhythm guitar to complement his vocal duties.
Another axe player who was sometimes seen filling in the second guitarist shoes was Dmitry ‘Maloy’ Maksimets of the CRUSADER fame (another famous band of the time). He was a good friend of the band and aside from joining the line-up during tour gigs (Ternopol, Vinnitsa, Kiev, Minsk) also added guitar solos and keyboards during ‘Infected Generation’ recording sessions. ‘Maloy’ also assisted the band as a sound engineer both in studio and live situations.
At some point, due to internal clashes, the bassist Vladimir Yatsenko leaves the band. Although, still remaining a good friend, Vladimir continues to fill the bass duties for some time.
In 1997 the band hires a new gun to their line-up, Alex ‘YOZH’ Babansky to fill the bassist shoes. Although, a year later, after departure of Yaroslav ‘Poruchik’ Rempinsky Alex grabs the guitar instead, while Aleksey Prusov becomes the band’s new bass player. Both musicians were well-known in the local scene for a number of underground projects.
The new line-up started to generate new material and brought changes to musical style. The more thrashcore/grind oriented ‘Disinfected’ set was stage-tested during gigs in Kiev and other Ukrainian cities. Some of the live recordings of that period were later released as a split album with Japanese UNHOLY GRAVE.
Despite the highly interesting new material being forged in the band’s ovens, the new album’s recording still failed to take off. The band was actively seeking labels to sign a recording/publishing contract with but none were offering. The suggested split albums with Grenouer (RU) and FSFI (CZ) were put down by the band as their original intent was to record a full-blown LP.
By the end of 1998 Vitaly Prygunov resigns from his drummer post due to family matters. Failing to find a replacement, the band suspends all activity. After the only resurgence in 2002 which saw the band playing a single gig to celebrate CORE Shop founder’s George Dementiev anniversary, INFECTED officially enters the cryostasis to slowly drift in their slumber amidst the ever-changing reality.
In 2010 the INFECTED beast shows first signs of life – first rehearsals, getting back into shape, unfreezing line-up and recapturing the spirit.
2011 sees the band rehearse on a regular basis; the new set-list is in the works, which includes tracks from various years. Alexander ‘GRN’ Tynkievich decides to concentrate his efforts solely on guitar playing, therefore the band starts looking for a new front-man. Several months of experimenting with female vocals brought no desired results, at least as far as music was concerned.
The search was over when Yuri Savchenko (of Revolt and Provocateur fame where he fulfilled multiple duties on vocals, guitar and bass) was hired to abuse the microphone.
In 2012 INFECTED signs a contract with local label Metal Scrap Records to re-issue the ‘Infected Generation’ album on a CD with remastered original recording and a slightly retouched sleeve design. The CD hit the shelves on April 29, 2012.
Current line-up:
Yuri Savchenko – vocals
Alexander "GRN" Tynkievich – guitar, vocals
Yaroslav "Poruchik" Rempinsky – guitar
Vitaly "Pryga" Prygunov – drums
Vladimir "Pooh" Yatsenko – bass
Discography:
"Video '93" VHS 1993, Megapol TV
"Infected Generation" MC 1996, Core Production
INFECTED/INNERCELL "Live at Zelena Perlyna Festival" Split-MC 1997, self-released
INFECTED/UNHOLY GRAIVE (Jap) Split-MC 1997, D.A.C. Productions
"Infected Generation", re-mastered, CD 2012, Metal Scrap Records
Vishal - What are the lyrical themes you guys use in your song?gore, horror etc..
Pryga - The various... Except for some which we always avoided - religion, racism. Almost fairy tales..We scooped themes of songs from life.
Vishal - How it feels to be in a Underground Scene? And do you appreciate your underground scene?
Pryga - Well. Thanks! It is our environment. We live in it.Always is such that is possible and it is necessary to improve. I would like to tell that position as always. And it is normal. Since all depends only on groups. I have some favorites, but not so much. It is a pity! Nice, the general level of musicians has very much grown. Means there will be many good projects.
Vishal - Which are the bands that have influenced your band most?
Pryga - At various times differently. And each of us was influenced by the groups. Certainly, our tastes in many respects coincided. For example, which from most-most: Morbid Angel, Fear Factory, Napalm Death, Bolt Thrower, Terrorizer, Malevolent Creation, Atrocity, Machine Head, Sodom, DRI. Clearly that many has not listed.
Vishal - What are the future plans of Infected?
Pryga - Currently the band is getting geared up for a studio session to record fresh versions of a number of their back-catalogue hits, including the early ‘Surrounded by Infection’ set of 93, and the later ‘Disinfected’ set of 97. The subsequent CD album resulting from these recording sessions is the band’s nearest target.
Yaroslav ‘Poruchik’ Rempinsky – guitar
Vitaly ‘Pryga’ Prygunov – drums
Vladimir Yatsenko – bass
Dmitry ‘Fuck You’ Artemenko – vocals
Thi first year was the band’s preparation time, taking a lot of experimenting with styles, building new material, recording demos while playing several local gigs.
January 1993 INFECTED hits Kiev KOMORA studios to record their first ever demo single, ‘Surrounded by Infection’. This song, along with two live performances filmed in June 93 during ‘Jamix-Show’ in Ukraine Palace became sources for three respective videos produced by Anatoly Vekslyarsky and TV Megapol. Within a year of heavy rotation as part of ‘Jamix’ TV show these videos give the band a very good promotion.
A the peak of the ‘first wave of fame’ Dima ‘F… You’ parts ways with the band, to be replaced by Alexander ‘GRN’ Tynkievich. With further addition of Sergey ‘Bronya’ Bronovitsky on guitar duties the line-up was finally established. The band’s style underwent significant changes as well, transforming into a powerhouse of Death/Grind.
Before recording their debut LP Infected participate in several fests (the 10-th ADEM anniversary in Kiev, Terrorizer Fest in Vinnitsa, Thrash-Mania 93 in Lugansk, Nuclear Rain in Kharkiv), they do a solo gig in Kiev, and tour Ukraine.
The footage from some of these gigs was used to make two live videos produced by TV Megapol.
In January 1995 INFECTED begin recording their first LP, ‘Infected Generation’ at the DZZ Studios (House of Recordings, Kiev).
The work was done by June, and the band proceeded to look for publishing company. Finally they decided to approach their friends, George Dementiev and the CORE shop, who published the debut cassette album. The 1000 copies (a modest number by that time) were sold out in no time, and the album is still considered a rare gem among the fans.
The band continued to stay active in the metal underground, further solidifying their status as leaders of Ukrainian metal scene.
Failing to adhere to band’s internal discipline, ‘Bronya’ decides to jump ship while no replacement was hired.
A year later Alexander ‘GRN’ (who often substituted for the missing guitar players during rehearsals) finally added rhythm guitar to complement his vocal duties.
Another axe player who was sometimes seen filling in the second guitarist shoes was Dmitry ‘Maloy’ Maksimets of the CRUSADER fame (another famous band of the time). He was a good friend of the band and aside from joining the line-up during tour gigs (Ternopol, Vinnitsa, Kiev, Minsk) also added guitar solos and keyboards during ‘Infected Generation’ recording sessions. ‘Maloy’ also assisted the band as a sound engineer both in studio and live situations.
At some point, due to internal clashes, the bassist Vladimir Yatsenko leaves the band. Although, still remaining a good friend, Vladimir continues to fill the bass duties for some time.
In 1997 the band hires a new gun to their line-up, Alex ‘YOZH’ Babansky to fill the bassist shoes. Although, a year later, after departure of Yaroslav ‘Poruchik’ Rempinsky Alex grabs the guitar instead, while Aleksey Prusov becomes the band’s new bass player. Both musicians were well-known in the local scene for a number of underground projects.
The new line-up started to generate new material and brought changes to musical style. The more thrashcore/grind oriented ‘Disinfected’ set was stage-tested during gigs in Kiev and other Ukrainian cities. Some of the live recordings of that period were later released as a split album with Japanese UNHOLY GRAVE.
Despite the highly interesting new material being forged in the band’s ovens, the new album’s recording still failed to take off. The band was actively seeking labels to sign a recording/publishing contract with but none were offering. The suggested split albums with Grenouer (RU) and FSFI (CZ) were put down by the band as their original intent was to record a full-blown LP.
By the end of 1998 Vitaly Prygunov resigns from his drummer post due to family matters. Failing to find a replacement, the band suspends all activity. After the only resurgence in 2002 which saw the band playing a single gig to celebrate CORE Shop founder’s George Dementiev anniversary, INFECTED officially enters the cryostasis to slowly drift in their slumber amidst the ever-changing reality.
In 2010 the INFECTED beast shows first signs of life – first rehearsals, getting back into shape, unfreezing line-up and recapturing the spirit.
2011 sees the band rehearse on a regular basis; the new set-list is in the works, which includes tracks from various years. Alexander ‘GRN’ Tynkievich decides to concentrate his efforts solely on guitar playing, therefore the band starts looking for a new front-man. Several months of experimenting with female vocals brought no desired results, at least as far as music was concerned.
The search was over when Yuri Savchenko (of Revolt and Provocateur fame where he fulfilled multiple duties on vocals, guitar and bass) was hired to abuse the microphone.
In 2012 INFECTED signs a contract with local label Metal Scrap Records to re-issue the ‘Infected Generation’ album on a CD with remastered original recording and a slightly retouched sleeve design. The CD hit the shelves on April 29, 2012.
Current line-up:
Yuri Savchenko – vocals
Alexander "GRN" Tynkievich – guitar, vocals
Yaroslav "Poruchik" Rempinsky – guitar
Vitaly "Pryga" Prygunov – drums
Vladimir "Pooh" Yatsenko – bass
Discography:
"Video '93" VHS 1993, Megapol TV
"Infected Generation" MC 1996, Core Production
INFECTED/INNERCELL "Live at Zelena Perlyna Festival" Split-MC 1997, self-released
INFECTED/UNHOLY GRAIVE (Jap) Split-MC 1997, D.A.C. Productions
"Infected Generation", re-mastered, CD 2012, Metal Scrap Records
Vishal - What are the lyrical themes you guys use in your song?gore, horror etc..
Pryga - The various... Except for some which we always avoided - religion, racism. Almost fairy tales..We scooped themes of songs from life.
Vishal - How it feels to be in a Underground Scene? And do you appreciate your underground scene?
Pryga - Well. Thanks! It is our environment. We live in it.Always is such that is possible and it is necessary to improve. I would like to tell that position as always. And it is normal. Since all depends only on groups. I have some favorites, but not so much. It is a pity! Nice, the general level of musicians has very much grown. Means there will be many good projects.
Vishal - Which are the bands that have influenced your band most?
Pryga - At various times differently. And each of us was influenced by the groups. Certainly, our tastes in many respects coincided. For example, which from most-most: Morbid Angel, Fear Factory, Napalm Death, Bolt Thrower, Terrorizer, Malevolent Creation, Atrocity, Machine Head, Sodom, DRI. Clearly that many has not listed.
Vishal - What are the future plans of Infected?
Pryga - Currently the band is getting geared up for a studio session to record fresh versions of a number of their back-catalogue hits, including the early ‘Surrounded by Infection’ set of 93, and the later ‘Disinfected’ set of 97. The subsequent CD album resulting from these recording sessions is the band’s nearest target.
Vishal - What is your opinion on sites posting Underground Materials?
Pryga - I like it. Very important work!!! Personally I devote not enough time to the Internet. It not so is important in my life. But for our group Infected - quite another matter! We have group pages in social networks and on some metals-resources. The quantity of our fans and subscribers grows. We are happy!
In those far 90th years promotion of group demanded much more time. Possibilities now much more. It is necessary to have only desire, well and stuff. There will be a new material - the situation still will improve. While it thanking only to "old" merits.
Vishal - How do you guys feel about the classifications in metal? like deathcore, metalcore and other subgenres..
Pryga - Once to me have sent the link to a resource mapofmetal.com - interesting!!! Now began to be guided. I the conservative - I like "old" styles - death, grind core, heavy, thrash. I with such music live from school. Subgenres are not pleasant to me, since have appeared rather recently and among them there are no my groups-favorites.But, each musician in a genre metal - develops style, creates something new - moves progress...
Vishal - In general term extreme metal isn't appreciated by Society what do you have to say on this?
Pryga - Personally it never excited me! Go all to an ass who so does not consider as I.If the Society appreciates homosexuality and church registers such marriages - that it is possible to speak about such Society further? Its opinion is not interesting to me. They deny that do not understand. Each of us - the Society part. Our opinion - the main thing!
Vishal - Ok, what do you want to tell those peoples who rips off the band hard and illegally downloads their music?
Pryga - Who wants to listen to Infected-music - welcome to band-pages. Who cannot buy it because there is no money - there are no problems, download. Who does illegal actions which harm to our group - while simply, fuck off...Die! We not Metalica also not begin to declare war Napster and to be at war with fans for each downloaded disk - who wants, that will buy.
Vishal - Beside Infected you have any other projects too?
Pryga - At present all musicians are involved only in Infected. Now at all of us only one hobby - is our group. All of us are concentrated only to it.
Vishal - Is it hard surviving in underground Scene?
Pryga - Playing music for us is not a source of money - more likely their loss. All of us have other work: Yury - the guitar master, Alexander - the sound producer, all the others - in other business. Not music feeds us and our families. Therefore, we in Underground do not survive, and we live. Habitually, we here already more than 20th years.
Vishal - Metal has to be underground or metal has to go mainstream, what's your opinion?
Pryga - When metal is in an underground - he derives strength and inspiration, receives the new form and shape, acquires new ideas. When metal will be a mainstream - becomes attempt to embellish, smooth, brush, make more luscious and sold. It is less than ideas - basically only a beautiful candy wrapper.The true is somewhere in the middle.
Vishal - What is your opinion on the current state of underground metal?
Pryga - Evolutionary process. Very high professional level at modern groups - they have stepped for a long time over concept of an underground. Many on heads above than then there were we. Only on style or a genre they can be carried to an underground. Modern musicians have very much added in the professional plan - is at whom to learn and adopt experience.The Internet in many respects has helped it - the information and an exchange.
Vishal - Which is the album you want to take to your grave?
Pryga - So it seems to me that in a coffin it will not be necessary at all)))) Pair of coins for the boatman - yes. Eyes to be issued in the end of the tunnel - yes. Music should be in my soul.
Vishal - Can you recommend us some good bands from your country?
Pryga - Of course! It only my personal preferences, but names of these groups are known enough.
Nokturnal Mortum, Limited Mutanter, Adem, Flashgore, Hell:On, Crusher, D.HATE, Balfor, Ungrace, Zorg Inc., Inferno, Lethargia, Dimicandum, Flying, Eclipse, Mental Demise, staliNO.
Vishal - Support Underground Metal, how much you agree on this quote?
Pryga - The phrase becomes outdated already.Such sayings was much and there will be still others.Each musician wants to have more supports. Completely not important - that it from an underground or a mainstream. Now much depends only on everyone.
Vishal - Where do our readers can buy and listen your music and other merchandise?
Pryga - Thanks for your question!!!Full assortment of merch. Always it is possible to order through our company.Metal Scrap Records gives all necessary. Follow to this link. Welcome! metalscrap.org.ua
Vishal - In near future any bands from Nepal approaches to you for a split album, you will approve this or..???
Pryga - 20 years ago I simply would not believe that such is possible.Very interesting! You intrigue me.
Listen bro, present me your scene.We had once a split-album with Japanese band - we always YES.
Vishal - Lastly, a space for you anything EUMSN have forgotten to ask you can tell us here?
Pryga - From this page I want to give best regards to all, who with INFECTED all these years! We always only for yours!!!Without listening music will lose all sense.Who gets acquainted with us for the first time - welcome to our family!
This is one of the best interview I have done for my blog, much thanks to Prgya for approving me and I request you all to join the band Official Group in Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/groups/1nfected
Infected for Life \m/
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