«Live Pop: Mumiy Troll at The Roxy» — The International Review of Music

Live Pop: Mumiy Troll at The Roxy

Russia`s own Mumiy Troll set The Roxy on fire on Wednesday night May 14th — not literally, but almost. Though this is their first US tour, the band was founded in the early `80s by leadman Ilya Lagutenko, performing only erratically over the next decade. But since the release of their first official album, “Utekai,■ in 1997 they`ve been considered one of Russia`s most influential rock groups, often dubbed “The Rolling Stones of Eastern Europe.■

The group took the stage in celebration of their debut U.S. album, “Comrade Ambassador,■ as well as the use of their song, “V Jetom Svett■ (■In Our World■), in the controversial Russian film, “Dead End Falls■ (2009), directed by Gouzalia Sharaf, who was also present to witness the festivities at the Roxy.

Mumiy Troll (Ilya Lagutenko, vocals, guitar, keyboards; Yuri Tsaler, guitar, keyboards; Eugene Zvidionny, bass; and Oleg Pungin, drums) started their set with “Yadernye Stantsii■ (■Nuclear Stations■), a bleak, post-punk, Clash-like anthem. Lagutenko`s surprisingly youthful, ADHD-like enthusiasm was present from the first note as he pranced around the stage in a white sailor`s suit with the bawdy energy of an early `70`s Mick Jagger.

The song “Muzykant■ (■Musician■) displayed the quartet`s sense of cohesion and mutual devotion. On the adventurous “Prospali■ (■We Overslept■), Lagutenko played a funky melody on a compact synthesizer with what appeared to be a pen and mouthpiece device, looking like an electronic melodica designed for Darth Vader. The rhythms of bassist Zvidionny, interlocking with the steady pulse of Pungin`s drumming on the piece, “Pyanaya Struna■ ( “Drunken String■), gave the music a haunting, trance-like feel as the overflow audience sang along with every well-punctuated chorus. “O Paradiso■ was another audience favorite, with their enthusiastic chanting almost drowning out Lagutenko`s intense vocal.

Though Mumiy Troll`a visual presentation appeared “happy, joyous, and free,■ there was a dark, ennui lurking beneath their mostly minor key compositions. This was especially well-exemplified in “Pospi Rock n Roll■ (■Sleep Rock` N` Roll■) which was the perfect showcase for Yuri Tsaler`s The Edge-meets-Tony Iommi for a “Season in Hell■ guitar stylings, with its whammy bar, dive bomb rhythms and feedback-drenched leads. Lagutenko added some tasty acoustic guitar playing, bringing the set to a climactic halt.

Ever minute of Mumiy Troll`s performance moved and expanded with a growing sense of adventure and originality, and Lagutenko`s energy was totally infectious. The loyal crowd (seemingly made up of people of all nationalities) didn`t let the language barrier get in the way of enjoying a truly captivating performance. To quote one satisfied fan, “I don`t speak a word of Russian, but this was the best set I`ve heard here. Mumiy Troll rocks.■

Devon Wendell