Kipelov (Кипелов) is a Russian heavy metal band formed and led by former Aria vocalist Valery Kipelov.

Origins[link]

In 2002, dissension in the heavy metal band Aria led to Aria members Valery Kipelov (vocals), Sergey Terentyev (guitar) and Alexander Maniakin (drums) leaving that band and joining with former Aria member Sergey Mavrin and bassist Alexey Harkov of Mavrik to form Kipelov. The band was named to make use of the fame of the best-known member, singer Kipelov. Since Kipelov was, essentially, just a revision of Aria, they were able to begin performing immediately.

In the fall of 2002 Kipelov toured over Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, including a sold-out concert in Moscow at the end of November at the legendary Crust.

In May 2003, after a brief hiatus from touring, the group performed a concert in the open-air Voel Amphitheatre in Tel Aviv, Israel. On May 24, 2003, as part of a cultural program dedicated to the 300th anniversary of Saint Petersburg, the band performed a concert in Saint Petersburg Stadium. Video and audio versions of this concert were released.

New members, venues, and material[link]

On October 4, 2003 Kipelov unveiled a new set list featuring the song "Babylon" at a concert at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow which was attended by over 10,000 people.^{[citation needed]} "Babylon" soon rose to a high position on the Heath chart. Valery Kipelov described this concert as the most memorable event of his creative life: "It was very important for us, since only a few had believed that, after the breakup of Aria, we would again become big stars."

Sergey Terentyev left the band shortly after this concert, being replaced by former Strike and Legion guitarist Andrey Golovanov. The new lineup immediately resumed touring. In December 2003 a four-song CD with "Babylon", "Time of Troubles", and studio and live versions of "I am Free" (which at the time was high on the Heath chart) was released on Moroz Records.

On March 6, 2004, a concert at DK of Gorbunov showcased the new lineup to Muscovites. The group continued active work in clubs and, in May, appeared again at newly-renovated Saint Petersburg Stadium as part of the city's anniversary celebration.

Babylon and Rivers of Time[link]

In September 2005 Kipelov released a video of "Babylon" directed by Vitaly Mukhametzyanov, who had previously directed videos for Linda, T.O.T.A.L., and others. This video achieved a high ranking on the MTV Russia charts, and the band received the "Most Promising Band of 2004" award at MTV Russia's Russian Music Awards.

In October 2004 Kipelov began another tour of Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia, after which Sergey Mavrin left the group to pursue a solo career. He was replaced by Victor Smolski from the German group Rage, and the band began work on a new studio album, Rivers of Time.

The band worked on Rivers of Time through the late winter, spring, and early summer of 2005, after which the album was mastered at Gernhart Studios in Germany. With the album mostly completed, Kipelov toured Belarus and Russia showcasing the new material, tour highlights including an appearances at LDS in Saint Petersburg and at DS of Luzhniki in Moscow, each concert attracting over 11,000 fans.[1]

In December 2005 Rivers of Time was released on CD-Maximum Records. In support of the release, Kipelov again toured in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Israel. The ballad "Ya Zdes" (I am Here) from the new album ranked high in radio charts. Vladimir Yankovskiy shot the video for this song at his Minsk studios. Yankovskiy, who has directed videos for Rage, cast Victor Smolsky in the main role in this video.

the band released a new single, Na Grani, in March 2009

Chronology[link]

• September 1, 2002 - Band formed.
• September 9, 2002 - kipelov.ru goes live.
• September 11, 2002 - first concert (St. Petersburg).
• October–December 2002 - 40-city tour.
• February 2003 - the group releases a re-make of the song "I Am Free", which reaches #1 on the Heath chart and remains there several months.
• May 24, 2003 - Video of St. Petersburg concert released.
• August 2003 - First album (The Way Up) released.
• October 4, 2003 - Appearance at Luzhniki, premiere of new song "Babylon".
• October 5, 2003 - Guitarist Sergey Terentyev quits.
• November 2003 - Andrey Golovanov replaces Terentyev.
• December 2003 - song "Babylon" reaches #1 on the Heath chart.
• February 2004 - Moroz Records releases a single of "Babylon".
• March 2004 - Concert debut of Golovanov in DK of Gorbunov .
• September 2004 - Video of "Babylon" is released.
• October 2004 - Group wins "Most Promising Band of 2004" at the MTV Russia Russian Music Awards.
• November 2004 - guitarist Sergey Mavrin quits.
• December 2004 - Victor Smolsky of the German band Rage joins a temporary replacement for Mavrin.
• 2005 - The album "Reki Vremen" ("Rivers of Time") is released.
• October 18, 2007 - 5-year anniversary concert at DS Luzhniki in Moscow. Premiere of new song "Monolog" ("Monologue").

Discography[link]

Official releases[link]

• Put' Naverh (рус. Путь наверх, Way Up) live album, 2003
• Vavilon (рус. Вавилон, Babylon) single, 2003
• Reki Vremeon (рус. Реки Времён, Rivers of Time) album 2005, CD-Maximum
• Moskva, 2005 (рус. Москва, 2005, Moscow, 2005) live album, 2006
• Reki Vremeon (Remix & Remastered) (рус. Реки Времён (Ремастированное переиздание), Rivers of Time) album 2007, CD-Maximum
• 5 LET (рус. 5 ЛЕТ, 5 YEARS) live album, 2008
• Na grani (рус. На грани, On The Edge) single 2009
• Zhit Vopreki (рус. Жить Вопреки, Living In Defiance) album 2011, Misteria Records

Other releases[link]

• Smutnoye Vremia (рус. Смутное Время, Time of Troubles, 1997) - officially not considered a "Kipelov" release, but as a standalone album by Valery Kipelov and Sergey Mavrin.
• Noch v Iyule (рус. Ночь в Июле, Night in July, 2001) - a pirate bootleg.

External links[link]

• Official Kipelov website (Russian)
• Kipelov entry at MetalRus (Russian)
• Kipelov entry at Encyclopaedia Metallum
• Valery Kipelov pictures and biography
• Kipelov on Russmus.net: English translations of Kipelov's lyrics!
• Kipelov`s Ukrainian Fan Community