Molchat Doma(
They got some popularity in 2020 when their song Sudno (original: Судно) got viral on TikTok and through some stupid memes, one of the most populars being an video edit of some bats looking like a bunch of goths in a nightclub. I actually discovered Molchat Doma through a video on youtube. ("Cat vibing to Sudno". Haven't found the original one.)
My history with Molchat Doma
It was quite easy to like them from the start as I was already into post-punk and goth music, but Sudno got me in a particular way. The lyrics are about suicidal thoughts and fighting to live through them, the doomy instrumental has its beat and riff in almost constant loop and the low singing voice of the vocalist is so expressive, you can get the song even if you don't know any russian. I was at a low point mentally back then so I felt really connected with that song, leading me to quickly go after the whole album Etazhi (Этажи). Eventually went for their previous album, then their latest one. And well, the rest is quite obvious.
It wouldn't be a strech to point out how much Molchat Doma's work helped me and how it made a miserable phase of my life more bearable. And now, long after that, now that I'm in a better state, their music continuosly brings me joy, through the good and the bad times.
Unfortunately, I haven't been to any of their concerts yet. Molchat Doma came for only one show in my country in 2022, but it wasn't in my city and I didn't have the money to go there at the time. I remain hoping they'll come back again and then I will DEFINITELY go! oh please that they won't be at a crazy expensive music festival
Discography
I realized after writing this section that much of the way I perceive the band's music was influenced by the album covers - by their colors, photography angles or whatever brutalist building that was chosen to be depicted. Thought that was mildly interesting.
С Крыш Наших Домов (S Krysh Nashikh Domov)
Year released: 2017
Favorite tracks:
Comments:
I have the impression they had a more strong use of bass and drums and strong vibrating syth sounds in comparision to their later releases. Everything feels intense but cold and inhospitable, like in a both futuristic and apocalyptic kind of way. I can easily get lost in the synth's melodies, in my opinion the catchiest ones are on here!! Even though its popularity isn't even near of Etazhi's. And damn, Ya Ne Kommunist sounds so haunting, I love it.
Этажи (Etazhi)
Year released: 2018
Favorite tracks:
Судно (Борис Рижий) / Sudno (Boris Ryzhy)
Comments:
The best friend you can have through melancholic times. Everything sounds so doom and gloomy but so ecstatic and alive at the same time. Definitely my most listened from all of their albums. I have played this one from start to finish more times than I can even count. I listed more than half of the tracklist as my favorites, but it could be the whole album to be honest. Anyways: Just. Pure. Perfection. (chef's kiss)
And for some weird reason the chorus' first line of the song Kletka always plays in my head when I walk the stairs of my apartment's building.
Монумент (Monument)
Year released: 2020
Favorite tracks:
Обречен / Obrechen
Дискотека / Discoteque
Удалил твой номер / Udalil Tvoy Nomer
Ленинградский блюз / Leningradskiy Blues
Comments:
This album feels like a cold, empty and dark night. In a good way, although is definetly not my favorite of their discography, not because of quality but maybe because the music sounded too depressive for me - and not in the sense of sadness. It sounds slow, draggable but intentional. I think what is stands out the most is how they got better with the atmosphere, Leningraskiy Blues being a noticeable example.
And in the middle of all that, Discoteque - one of my most favorite of the band, their most upbeat song and a banger - feels like an total outcast in here.
Белая Полоса (Belaya Polosa)
Year release: 2024
Favorite tracks:
Ты Же Не Знаешь Кто Я / Ty Zhe Ne Znaesh Kto Ya
Колесом / Kolesom
Белая Полоса / Belaya Polosa
III
Зимняя / Zimnyaya
Interviews
Thought it would be cool to use this space to gather the interviews that I found and could understand. Unfortunately, there's a lot of content out there in russian without any translation.