Drama

Drama is a Russian black metal band formed in June 2001. It forms after Vindsarg and Dym leave their previous project, Blackart, which plays melodic black/death metal, and decide to move in a more serious direction. Zah, also known as Ninzah and formerly of Dethroner, joins soon after the band is named Drama.

Formation and early line-up

The band gives its first live performance in Yeisk in November 2002. Two months later, Elymas joins on keyboards and adds a more atmospheric layer to the group’s sound. Elymas later leaves after a fatal accident. The early line-up also includes Vindsarg on guitar and scream, Dym on drums, and, later, Serg as second guitarist.

Recordings and releases

Drama records its debut demo, Wintercrown, in 2002. The debut album, Silver Brilliance of Nocticula, is recorded shortly afterwards and is released on cassette in December 2003 through Black Side Productions in 1,000 copies. The band then works on its second album, Winds Choir Opera, recorded in Kazan in February 2004 at Grindsound studio over six days. Musica Productions releases the album on CD in 2005. Later the same year, the band signs another deal with Musica Productions for a remastered reissue of Silver Brilliance of Nocticula, which appears on CD in 2006.

Drama also issues the live release Live Armageddon on CD in 2005. Its discography lists Wintercrown as a 2002 demo, Silver Brilliance of Nocticula in 2003, Winds Choir Opera in 2005, and the remastered Silver Brilliance of Nocticula re-release in 2006.

Line-up changes and live activity

After Winds Choir Opera, T joins first as a session keyboard player and then becomes a full member. At the turn of 2004, Serg replaces the second guitarist. In June 2005, Erier leaves on bass and the band searches for a replacement for more than six months before Larsson joins in January 2007. Larsson is a founder and former leader of the black metal band Serpents.

Drama plays the Unholy Storm Festival in Saint Petersburg on 18 June 2005 with Vindsarg, Serg, Erier, Dym and T in the line-up. The band also moves permanently from Yeisk to Saint Petersburg, and this relocation leads to Zah’s departure.

Style and context

The band works within Russian black metal and symphonic black metal, with keyboards used to create a more atmospheric sound. Its material is associated with a darker, more elaborate black metal style built around guitar, scream vocals, keyboards, bass and drums.