(This is Comrade Aleks‘ extensive interview with the very thoughtful and articulate Vitaly “Gravementor” Galkin, one of the two members of the band Regicide from Siberian Russia, whose debut album Eternal Siege was released last October.)
Formed as a quartet in June 2016 by guitarist/vocalist Vitaly “Gravementor” Galkin, bassist Pavel Mor, drummer Alexander Sunz, and guitarist Michael, Regicide was one of the very few (or maybe only) sludge’n’stoner bands in the Siberian city of Yekaterinburg. Their live album Live at Doomsday Haze Vol. 4 passed almost unnoticed back in 2021, and somehow the quartet turned into a duo, but Vitaly together with Stanislav Zhdanovsky (drums, cymbals, percussion) managed to focus and record the full-length album Eternal Siege.
And in spite of all my stereotypes regarding the genre’s primitivism, we had a very constructive conversation with Vitaly.
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Hi Vitaly! How are you? What’s going on in Regicide’s lair?
Hi! Everything’s great, thanks. Work is always in full swing in our lair — we’re continuing to write new material, rehearse, and prepare for future concerts.
All of Regicide’s members play or played pretty different kinds of metal in different bands, so what made you gather together?
We’re united by our love for heavy and sincere sound, even despite the differences in our past projects. A shared interest in the sludge/stoner metal scene allowed each member of Regicide to discover this style in a new way. We’ve always wanted to create something powerful and unique, and this goal brought us together.
You now play a tough mix of sludge and stoner, an extreme one, I would say. How was this sound born? What kind of result did you search to achieve?
Our sound is the result of experiments and the search for a balance between heaviness, atmosphere, and melody. We aimed to create music that is both primitive, powerful, and deep, immersing the listener in a primal world.
Our shared musical tastes played a major role in shaping our sound. It’s impossible not to mention bands like High on Fire, Conan, Black Cobra, YOB, Inter Arma, Eagle Twin, Graves at Sea, Lair of the Minotaur, Let the Night Roar, and many others, whose work made a strong impression on us. Their music literally blew up our understanding of sludge metal’s possibilities and became an integral part of our creative inspiration.
Interestingly, each of these bands, while staying within the sludge-stoner metal genre, has an absolutely unique sound. They’re not afraid to experiment, skillfully bringing in elements from other extreme metal genres. Their approach proved to us that there are no boundaries in creativity. At the same time, the viscous, oppressive atmosphere and powerful delivery remain the unchanging foundation of the style.
We took this approach as a challenge and inspiration. Using our experience in other bands playing doom and death metal, we began to actively experiment and seek our own unique ideas, which allowed us to create a sound that reflects our individuality.
How do you see the necessary elements of proper sludge’n’stoner? Can you say if you reached the golden mean?
Sludge’n’stoner are genres built on power, heaviness, and atmosphere. For me, the essential elements are dense riffs that create a crushing, almost hypnotic vibe, and a groove that pulls the listener into an endless flow of sound. At the same time, the emotional component is crucial: the music should convey a sense of struggle, challenge, or even despair, while leaving space for deep reflection.
Reaching the golden mean in these genres is no easy task, but we always strive to remain authentic. I believe there’s no single standard for a golden mean: every band’s members have their own background, and that’s what makes them unique. We combine the grit of sludge with the psychedelic space of stoner, carefully adding elements from other extreme genres (Thrash/Death Metal, Black Metal), which shapes our unique approach. It’s important not to overdo the mix. Perhaps it’s not the “golden mean” in the classical sense, but it’s certainly our balance.
The band’s name can be translated as “killing of a monarch purposely”. What drove you to make such a choice?
The name “Regicide” reflects the idea of rebellion against authorities and stereotypes, both in music and in life. It’s a metaphor for destroying outdated structures.
Regicide is not just a name, but also a philosophy. It resonates with our concept and our music. In our lyrics, themes of medieval perceptions of the world, cruelty, and power perfectly align with this word. In the Middle Ages, the act of regicide was the ultimate form of changing the order — often dark and brutal. This connects with the spirit of our music, which is filled with power and aggression, but at the same time carries the idea of overcoming and transformation.
Yep, but how often did this method really work? The French revolution drowned the entire population in blood. The Russian revolution drowned the entire population in blood. I don’t have the statistics, but it looks like most of the time regicide or similar acts of “decapitation” led to anarchy and bloodshed. And don’t forget that the one who takes the monarch’s place after his punishment rarely sets humanistic or even “fair” rules. So, what kind of positive examples of regicide can you remind us of?
You’ve raised an important point, and indeed, history shows that regicide often leads to chaos and violence. However, I believe there’s not only a destructive but also a symbolic side to this act. It’s an ultimate rejection of the old order and a push toward change, even if the outcome is imperfect.
One positive example could be the overthrow of Charles I in England in the 17th century. Yes, it was a turbulent period, but it ultimately led to a rethinking of the monarchy’s role and the development of constitutional democracy. Regicide is not always an ideal solution, but it’s a point of no return that forces society to think about its future.
How much of this concept was put into the lyrics of the Eternal Siege album? What’s this album’s main theme?
The main theme of the album is eternal war: a war against external enemies, a war with inner demons, and a fight for personal liberation. The title Eternal Siege symbolizes the continuous siege of both the external world and our own soul, where every day can become a battle for control, freedom, and self-awareness.
The album Eternal Siege immerses the listener in a unique fantasy world we have created. It is a kind of hellish universe where ancient myths, epic battles, elemental power, and the horrors of internal struggles intertwine into a cohesive whole. We aimed to create an atmosphere where each track is a separate chapter, part of a dark canvas that brings our ideas and imagery to life. This world is filled with archetypal symbols — war, fire, retribution, internal and external cataclysms.
Songs like “Fiery Pit”, “Punishment”, and “Eternal Siege” tell of an eternal struggle that can be both literal and metaphorical: a war against circumstances, oneself, or the surrounding world. These compositions are conceptually connected, forming the core of the album, which reveals the theme of overcoming suffering, accepting fate, and celebrating the strength of spirit.
Meanwhile, tracks such as “Apocalyptic Rite”, “The Stone of Discord”, “Chariot of Darkness”, and “Megaera’s Whip” draw inspiration from mythology and literature. For instance, “Apocalyptic Rite” is inspired by Homer’s epic poem The Iliad, while “Megaera’s Whip” recounts the story of the eldest of the Erinyes, the goddess of vengeance, from Greek mythology. “The Stone of Discord” is based on Norse mythology, telling the tale of Gullveig, whose image sparked a major conflict. “Chariot of Darkness” echoes the “Chariot of Arjuna” in the Mahabharata, an Indian epic where one of the heroes goes to battle in a chariot driven by the god Krishna, making it a symbol of war, destiny, and spiritual journey.
These elements help us develop our hellish universe, where forces of chaos, destruction, and rebirth clash with one another. However, despite the richness of details and references, the lyrics are deliberately written in an abstract form so that each listener can interpret them in their own way. We did not aim to impose a specific idea or perspective but left room for individual perception.
The imagery we used in the lyrics serves as a metaphorical language, where each element can hold multiple meanings. For some listeners, it may be a story of wars, myths, and ancient legends; for others, it is a reflection on internal struggle, overcoming, and self-discovery.
This approach allows our music to be not just a narrative told in the first person but also a mirror in which everyone can see something personal. This is the power of art: it becomes a personal experience for everyone who encounters it. Eternal Siege is an invitation to reflect and dive into one’s thoughts, images, and experiences.
Thus, our album is not just a collection of songs but an entire universe where everyone can find their place. Whether it’s an immersive dive into dark mythology or reflections on personal battles, this album is an invitation to a journey where every step matters.
What’s wrong with you?!? I used to see quite primitive lyrics from bands of this kind. Bong of satan’s wizard at the mountain of weed and so on. What drove you to write lyrics like this?
Great question! We don’t aim to diminish the creativity of other bands, even if their work might seem primitive to some. Every piece of music finds its audience. For us, however, depth is essential. Regicide’s lyrics reflect personal experiences, historical events, or philosophical musings. They help us express what cannot be conveyed through ordinary words.
We always strive to create something thought-provoking. If it resonates with the listener, then we’ve done our job. For us, music and lyrics aren’t just a collection of sounds and words; they’re a way to communicate with the world.
You started as a trio, but you recorded the album being already a duo. Was it more difficult to work this way? How did you organize the sessions?
Initially, we started as a quartet (me — guitar/vocals, Sunz — drums, Pavel — bass, Mikhail — guitar), but that was back in 2016. Starting in 2017, we became a trio (me — guitar/vocals, Stanislav — drums, Pavel — bass), and we remained in this lineup until the fall of 2021. We parted ways with our bassist but quickly found a great replacement — our long-time friend and colleague from other bands, Andrey Sergeev.
He was an excellent bassist, and we managed to work through a third of Regicide’s material with him. He significantly improved the bass parts in the songs and also contributed to the composition of “The Stone of Discord”. Unfortunately, in May 2022, he passed away. It was a heavy tragedy for us, his loved ones, and everyone who knew and worked with him. After that, we decided to remain a duo. We had already gained experience performing as a duo with Stanislav before Andrey joined, so we understood the technical nuances that would allow us to sound full and powerful live. Moreover, there are successful touring duos on the global metal scene, such as Black Cobra, Inquisition, Bolzer, and others. This inspired us.
Yes, working as a duo was more challenging, but it also gave us more freedom. We organized the guitar and bass recording sessions in our rehearsal studio, while drums, acoustic guitars, and vocals were recorded in professional conditions.
The recording sessions for the Eternal Siege album began in late November 2023, and working on it was truly a unique experience for us. We recorded the drums at Студия Невидимых Людей (The Invisible People Studio), which, in our opinion, is the best studio in Yekaterinburg. This place is located outside the city, and this seclusion allowed us to fully focus on the creative process. The studio is equipped to the highest standards, with everything thought out to the smallest detail — from the room’s acoustics to high-quality equipment, which was extremely important to us. There, we were able to bring all our sound ideas for the album to life.
I recorded the guitars and bass later, in early 2024, at our own rehearsal studio, Regicide’s Dungeon Studio. This is where we conduct most of our rehearsals and refine our sound, so the atmosphere there felt completely “ours.” After that, we decided to reamp the guitars at The Invisible People Studio, which allowed us to achieve even greater detail and power in the sound. All acoustic guitar parts, which added a special depth to the album’s sound, as well as the vocal parts, were also recorded there.
The mixing and mastering of the album were also done at The Invisible People Studio. Sound engineer Vladimir Kucherev handled this work, and we believe he did an incredible job. He managed to achieve exactly the sound we envisioned: powerful and monumental.
Working on the album across different locations, even with a limited band lineup, turned out to be not only feasible but also incredibly productive. We are proud of the final result and feel that we have fully realized our vision for Eternal Siege.
The album has remarkable artwork, GodsLikeIkons’ creation obviously. Did you give him some references before he started the work? How did you set the task?
We have been acquainted with Alexey from GodLikeIkons since the foundation of Regicide. He has been with us through all stages of our creative journey. Our logo is his work, and he understands the style and atmosphere we aim to convey with our music better than anyone else. His deep knowledge of our art played a key role in designing the visual concept of the Eternal Siege album.
We commissioned the album’s cover and booklet design back in 2020, long before the recording process began, and it was completed by 2021. We provided Alexey with a few ideas and directions to set the tone and convey the album’s atmosphere and themes. However, most of the work was his personal vision, shaped by his understanding of our music. The result exceeded all our expectations.
The album cover is only half of the full picture. The complete artwork can be seen by unfolding the booklet, which enhances the impact of the visual design. Alexey also created an alternative design for the back cover, giving the release even greater cohesion. Additionally, the CD edition includes a detailed black-and-white poster depicting a dead king. This artwork impresses with its complexity and subtle execution.
We would also like to highlight the contribution of Dmitry from Baikodromkosmadur. He worked on the CD and cassette editions’ layouts, enhancing them with his illustrations, which fit perfectly into the overall concept. Thanks to his efforts, our merchandise — T-shirts, longsleeves, and other items — gained a unique style that seamlessly integrates the visual and musical elements of Regicide.
We are deeply grateful to these talented artists for their work. They helped us create not just a music album but a cohesive art project where the visual design amplifies the emotional perception of the music.
How often does Regicide perform live? Do you search for a special band to play with? Or do you just play in any company you can find?
Our performances are not frequent, but we always strive to participate in high-quality events that align with our spirit. Whenever possible, we perform with bands that share our style and mood, though we occasionally accept intriguing offers, even if the genres differ.
We aim to make every performance memorable and powerful. It’s crucial for us that the audience feels the full atmosphere of our music, so we carefully select the setlist and refine the sound. We have performed at large thematic festivals as well as local shows. We particularly value the opportunity to share the stage with interesting bands from genres like sludge, doom metal, and other extreme styles.
However, we are open to performing with bands from different genres. Such concerts provide an opportunity to introduce our sound to new audiences and broaden the boundaries of the underground scene, creating unique and exciting musical combinations.
In the future, we plan to focus more on live performances, especially to promote our new album, Eternal Siege. We would like to perform more often, but it’s essential to find suitable venues and conditions where our music can be truly appreciated.
The band was started in 2016, your first live EP Live at Doomsday Haze Vol. 4 saw the light of day only in 2021, and then Eternal Siege was released three years after. How serious are you about Regicide? Do you see it as your main artistic outlet or is it rather a project?
Yes, Regicide does develop slowly but thoughtfully, and that is a conscious choice. We aim not just to release material for the sake of activity but to create something truly meaningful that reflects our inner world and musical vision. That’s why every stage — from composing music to recording and releasing albums — takes us so much time.
We see Regicide as a full-fledged artistic project where every detail matters. From the music itself to the visual design of albums and merchandise, we pour our hearts and significant effort into it. It’s crucial for us that each release is of high quality and conveys the emotions we strive to share with our listeners.
Our live bootleg Live at Doomsday Haze Vol. 4 was the first step in drawing the audience’s attention. With Eternal Siege, we approached the work with maximum seriousness and attention to detail. This album represents not only our music but also our concepts, ideas, and the experience we’ve accumulated over the years.
For us, Regicide is not just a hobby. It’s a key channel of our creative expression and an essential part of our lives. At the same time, we have other projects that also demand time and attention. We try to balance our efforts to give proper focus to each of them. Nevertheless, Regicide remains our priority. It’s our calling card and a place where we can fully express ourselves as musicians.
We don’t aim for mass popularity or to release material on a regular schedule. What’s more important to us is the process of creating music, the opportunity to express ourselves, and offering something unique to our listeners. That’s why, despite the slow pace, we view Regicide as a serious project with long-term prospects.
We have always taken Regicide seriously, and it is now our primary creative outlet.
Vitaly, you also played in the death-doom band Graveflower and the death metal band Atrophied. Are there any news from this side?
Currently, Graveflower and Atrophied are in a state that can be described as “frozen”. At some point, their activity slowed down due to various factors, including the members’ involvement in other projects, such as my commitment to Regicide.
However, I do not consider these projects to be completely finished. Each of them has its own unique atmosphere, and I value what we managed to create together as bands.
At this stage, I am fully focused on Regicide because I feel that this project allows me to realize myself as a musician most fully. However, the doors to other projects remain open, and I do not rule out returning to them in the future with fresh energy and inspiration.
I am also involved in another project with Stanislav called Minister Heaven, which performs Traditional Doom Metal. This trio features me on bass, Stanislav on drums, and Arseny (guitar/vocals) as the creative leader and songwriter. The project has existed since 2020, and we are currently recording our debut album.
Sounds promising! Which bands influenced Minister Heaven? And how soon do you expect to release the album?
Minister Heaven is our way of paying tribute to the traditions of doom metal. We draw inspiration from such genre titans as Candlemass, Cathedral, Solitude Aeturnus, and Witchfinder General. The Finnish scene has also had a strong influence on us, with bands like Reverend Bizarre, The Puritan, and Opium Warlords shaping our approach. At the same time, we aim to bring something of our own to keep the sound fresh.
As for the album, it’s already in the recording process. At this point, the drums and half of the guitars are fully recorded. If everything goes according to plan, we expect to release it in the second half of 2025. This project is extremely important to us, which is why we’re meticulously refining every detail and paying special attention to the sound.
What are your plans for Regicide’s near future?
Regicide’s immediate plans include actively promoting the Eternal Siege album and presenting it to a wider audience. We want as many people as possible to hear our material in a live setting, where its full power can be experienced.
We also plan to release the album on various physical formats. CD and cassette editions are already available, thanks to Stoned Steel Records, and we are considering a vinyl release in 2025. It is important for us that each release is not just a medium for music but also an aesthetic object that reflects the spirit and atmosphere of our music.
In addition, we have already begun working on new material. We have ideas that we are eager to bring to life. The new album will undoubtedly differ from the previous one, but we will strive to maintain our core concept and atmosphere.
We also aim to expand our audience by performing at festivals and concerts beyond our local scene. It is important for us to share our music with people who resonate with the emotions we put into our work.
Finally, we are continuing to work on merchandise so that our fans can proudly wear Regicide‘s symbols. We believe that high-quality, stylish merch is another way to express our identity and strengthen our connection with fans.
Regicide is always looking forward, and our main goal is to create music that touches listeners’ souls and becomes part of their inner world.
Thanks for such an in-depth interview Vitaly, it was a nice talk. I wish you and Regicide all the best on your mission, so any final words for our readers?
Thank you for inviting me and for the interesting questions! This is a great opportunity to share our word and ideas. We want to thank everyone who supports Regicide, who listens to our music, and feels it the way we do.
Music is more than just sound. It’s a connection between people, emotions, and time. We promise to keep creating sincere and powerful works that resonate with our listeners’ souls. Stay true to yourself and to what you love. We look forward to seeing you at our shows!
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