ANKYLYM (St.Petersburg, Russia)

ANKYLYM [chukcha's language - the meaning unknown] Art-chaos alco-folk band from Russia. The band was formed in St Petersburg, Russia in 1997, playing art-punk with some ethnic sounds. Some elements of progressive hardcore and post-punk were also evident. ANKYLYM have recorded and self-released two albums and EP (“U Volod’ki”(MC, 1998), “9 1/2 minutes (EP, 2000)”, “Instruments (MC, 2003)”) and has been playing concerts in most of the St Petersburg clubs and cities of Russia (Novgorod, Valday, Moscow, Vyborg). Releases got quite a good response in independent media. In 2004 band turned acoustic and experimental. Instead of guitars drums there were used traditional Russian instruments – balalaika and bayan (Russian accordion). New material was defined as “folk-slaughter” and “art-chaos folk” – songs are ranging from acoustic grindcore to freestyle performance. Among the band’s own songs the weird cover versions on NIRVANA, MINISTRY, DEAD KENNEDYS, SHOCKING BLUE are being performed. The band is touring a lot in Russia (St Petersburg, Moscow, Volodga, Cherepovets, Novgorod, Vyborg, Samara, Togliatti, Volgograd), France, Germany, Finland, Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, takes part in international music festivals – Puntala rock (2005), Bloodnok (2006) and S.K.I.F. (2007). There also happens “open concerts” – live performances on the streets. ANKYLYM used to play with the bands of different genres and countries – hardcore, punk, noise, metal, jazz, ethno. Among them: NERVENKLINIK, ENGAGE AT WILL, WHEEL OF DHARMA, MONOPOLKA, LENIVEC, KING KONGS, x_O.C.A._x, DISTRESS, KOMATOZ, VIR’, MORE & RELSY, HERO DISHONEST, NOMEANSNO (at S.K.I.F. 2007) etc. The full-length album “Otsy Myasa” (“Fatrhers of Meat”) was released in 2007. There are also exist some recordings from the live performances, some songs were released in compilations – “Food Not Bombs (2005)”, “Golden Shower of idiots” (2005), “Rockets From Russia (An indie winter in Saint-Petersburg)” (2005), “Total Jazz. Tribute to Chimera” (MC 2006, CD 2008). You can see a familiar face from far away… The fact of cooperation between Fil Volokitin (zines “Slonoboy”, “V moyom Supe Pechenya v Forme Zverushek”(“I’ve Got Animal-Shaped Cookies in My Soup”) and some more actual stuff) – the adept of the most fucked up things on the contemporary scene and the most fucked up band of Saint Petersburg – ‘Ankylym’ made me really exited. Finally! Down with guitars and drums, enough of pick-ups in the asses and micro-tapes recorded – the Japanese should relax! The ideas was as it seems on the surface – to record bands through the telephone! (!!!Fuck me, read the last sentence one more time and think!) Defects of the sound recording is shit in comparison with the mental drive of Ankylym (and no phone can hide this drive!). And by the way, the programme is new, its nor Instruments or Ketchup, it resembles some music coming from a psychiatristic department… And according to the musicians, Fil recorded a dozen of bands in the same manner…

download album "Volk" 2011