Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Den Kotovsky – Vocals
Vadim Nizamov – Guitar
Igor Barschevsky – Guitar
Artem Gabbasov – Drums
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Drops of Heart? How long has the band been around?
Vadim and Artem played together in two bands before Drops of Heart. When they was in school, they played some black\death metal in the band called Monpilat (it became post-metal one-man-band of Vadim later). After it there was post-rock band A12. In 2012 Den met Vadim in deathcore band Severed Seconds. Then they came up with the idea to create melodic metal band.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
The story of band’s name is very simple. Den has one of the favorite songs with very similar title (something like “Heart Drops” in English). And, if you don’t afraid some pretentious things, this name is great for our music because we try to give our listeners parts of our souls, of our hearts.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
We have two composers in the band – Vadim And Igor. Also, Den and Vadim write the lyrics. We think that the main topic of our songs is a human will, weak, or strong. We try to reveal all dimensions of human being, point out the problems and glorify the strengths and valor.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Dark Tranquillity, In Flames, Insomnium, Behemoth, Anathema, Maybeshewill, Mono, Fallujah, Deafheaven, Parkway Drive, Architects. It’s a very short list, we love a lot of different music. It’s hard to chose a few bands.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
Yes, of course. It was concerts of Russian rock artist, you hardly know them.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
Exercises for wrists, push ups and psychological relaxation in the form of stupid jokes.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
We try to save the national character in our music. It’s very cool when the band is not ashamed of their roots (like Sepultura, Chthonic , etc). We don’t have folk instruments in our songs (except for one song, it was the new year holiday track titled “Ой, Мороз, Мороз” (“Oh, Frost, Frost), old Russian folk cover), be we have the Russian language and melodies.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Sunless Rise and Sympuls-E, very good Russian modern metal bands and our friends. If you don’t know them, we recommend you to listen it as soon as possible, their music is great.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We would like to add a couple of words to your readers: listen to good music, stay humane in any situation and be brave. And, of course, follow us! We are preparing some great new stuff and really want you to check it out in near future. Cheers!