Aria (band)

• 1. Founding And Early Years

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  Vladimir Holstinin and Alik Granovsky stood in a Moscow studio in 1985, ready to build something new. Both men had previously played together in the band Alpha before it dissolved. They asked Victor Vekshtein to manage their project and let them use his recording space. The name Aria came from Holstinin's guitar brand, chosen for its short length and easy translation into Russian letters. Valery Kipelov joined as the first lead singer shortly after the group formed. Their early sound drew comparisons to New Wave of British Heavy Metal acts like Iron Maiden. This comparison earned them the nickname "Russian Iron Maiden" within Soviet media circles.

• 2. Commercial Breakthrough And Sound

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  Aria released Who Are You With? in November 1986, marking their second album. Hero of Asphalt arrived in August 1987 and became their first release through state publisher Melodiya. That record is now considered one of their best works by fans and critics alike. The band achieved mainstream success earlier than any other Soviet heavy metal group. Public polls later placed Aria among the top ten most popular rock bands in Russia. Their musical style blended hard riffs with melodic structures that resonated across the USSR. Media outlets frequently compared their approach to Western bands emerging during the late 1980s.

• 3. Lineup Instability And Conflicts

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  By October 1988, manager Udalov left the group following a serious conflict with leadership. Aleksandr Maniakin replaced him just weeks later in November of that same year. In 1990, members Dubinin and Mavrin briefly joined Lion Heart before returning to Moscow in August after canceling their contract. A disagreement over tour organizers in Germany led to Kipelov stopping studio appearances by early 1995. He was soon found playing with Master, a new band formed by four former Aria members. Sergey Mavrin quit in January 1995 because he believed the band could not succeed without his friend. Max Udalov returned as drummer while Terentyev took over guitar duties temporarily.

• 4. Vocalist Transitions And Evolution

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  Valery Kipelov remained Aria's lead singer until November 2002 when a new lineup was announced. Arthur Berkut from Autograph joined as vocalist alongside guitarist Sergey Popov from Master. The single Coliseum released on December 5 reached number one on rock charts despite fan criticism. Many listeners felt Berkut's voice did not match Aria's established sound. In 2011, the band fired Berkut due to concerns about live performance quality. Mikhail Zhitnyakov replaced him immediately following the announcement. Zhitnyakov has since recorded multiple albums including Phoenix and Through All Times.

• 5. Lyrical Authorship And Themes

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  Aria hired professional poets Margarita Pushkina and Alexander Yelin to write most of their lyrics instead of relying on band members. This practice distinguished them from many other groups who wrote their own words. Pushkina and Yelin contributed consistently across decades of releases. Their poems explored themes ranging from personal struggle to historical events. The band invited two new lyricists for the 2006 album Armageddon. This approach allowed musicians to focus entirely on composition and performance while maintaining high literary standards in songwriting.

• 6. Legacy And Cultural Impact

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  Aria ranks among the top ten most popular Russian rock bands according to public opinion polls. They were the first Soviet heavy metal group to achieve mainstream commercial success. Their influence helped shape the development of Russian heavy metal history throughout the late twentieth century. Fans often refer to themselves informally as "ariytsi" after the band name. The group served as a root source for several spin-off projects like Master and Kipelov's solo work. In 2010, they celebrated twenty-five years with AriaFest concerts held in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Ekaterinburg. Their continued activity into the 2020s proves enduring relevance within Russian music culture.