Tumulus (band)

Tumulus is progressive folk metal band from Yaroslavl, Russia. They were formed from the ashes of cult doom metal band Scald, after the death of Scald's frontman Agyl. From the beginning, Tumulus moved away from Scald's doom metal roots and played folk metal, combining metal music with traditional Russian folk and incorporated instruments as tambourine and balalaika.

History

The TUMULUS band was founded in the fall of 1997 in Yaroslavl, Russia by ex-members of cult viking/doom metal bandthat split up due to the death of the singer and leader of the band Agyl. The name of the new band – TUMULUS – is a tribute to his memory and also a title of one of thesongs from “Will of the gods is great power” album. TUMULUS started working on their own unique sound by putting together elements of folk music, progressive rock and metal, ambient and many other styles. TUMULUS musicians describe their music as art progressive folk metal, they use clear leading vocals and folk instruments in the studio and live. Lyrics are written in Russian, ancient Slavonic and English. The lyrics is based on Slavonic spell formulas, rites and everyday magic (that mostly are traditions of northern regions of Russia). After recording two demos - “Krada” (1999) and “Vo Luzeh” (2000), TUMULUS started co-operation with a Russian label Wroth Emitter Productions that released their studio albums “Winter Wood” (2004) and “Sredokresie” (2005). Guest vocals on both albums were performed by Marina Sokolova of a folk band Sedmaya Voda – one of the Russian best folk songstresses. At the end of 2006 TUMULUS went on their “Folk Art Path” tour and performed live in Russia, Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria. One of those live shows, which took place in Sofia, Bulgaria, was recorded and released later, in December of 2006, as a live album “Live Balkan Path” (also on Wroth Emitter Productions). At the end of 2008 the band realised a new mini CD “Kochevonov Plyas”.

Line up

*Kuchma – lead vocals, flute
*Velingor – bass, tambourine, percussion, backing vocals
*Vigdis – keyboards
*Kurbat – guitars
*Ottar – drums & percussion
*Marina Sokolova – session female vocals"former members":
*Igreny – guitars, balalaika
*Zus Obmorokh - guitars

Discography

*"Krada" Demo, 1999
*"Vo Luzeh" Demo, 2000
*"Winter Wood" Full-length, 2004 (Wroth Emitter)
*"Sredokresie" Full-length, 2005 (Wroth Emitter)
*"Live Balkan Path" Live album, 2006 (Wroth Emitter)
*"Kochevonov Plyas" EP, 2008 (Wroth Emitter)