Otrazhenie was a Belarusian heavy metal band from the city ofMozyr, the first professional independent Belarusian rock band whose music and lyrics inspired and instigated the birth and development of Belorussianrock music. They were the first Belorussian hard rock band, and a first Belorussian band to perform and record outside Soviet Union boundaries. They were also the first Belorussian band that assembled an amplification system capable of servicing stadiums and large arenas, thus enabling uncensored performances of government unrecognized bands and singers.
Early years (1978–1982)
Otrazhenie was found in 1978 by Vasiliy Kondratyuk and Vladimir Klimenko in Mozyr, Belarus to perform in the dancing hall in Phov. The band's first lineup also included drummer Michael Usov and keyboardist Anatoly Martinovich. Soon afterward, at the age of only 16 years but already famous for winning a national competition of young talent, a Belorussian version of American Idol, vocalist Vladimir Kolesnikov joined the band. After two successful seasons Klimenko has been conscripted to the Soviet Army, and the band continues with a new keyboardist Sergey Kudryavtsev and guitarist Michael Brusovanik, later known as a leader of Accent. A new program was based on covers of western hard rock bands, such as Rainbow, AC/DC, Kiss and Queen and overwhelmingly approved by the fans, who packed concert hallnight after night. In 1981 Otrazhenie participates in annual Mozir Pop-Music Festival, and, although, not awarded Grand Prix, wins audience sympathies. Brusovanik and Kolesnikov are awarded prizes for the best performances.
Productive period (1983–1999)
In 1982 Klimenko, Koifman and Martinovich returned from army service and reunited with the band, substituting Brusovanik and Kudryavtsev. At the same time a star-vocalist Leonid Kononov joined the band. In 1985 Otrazhenie released its first album. However, the release was postponed because of lack of recording studios in the region. The cassette version of the album was circulated and popular among fans. Finally, in 1986 State TV produced a documentary in which the band's songs were followed by discussions of journalists and state officers. Along with an official recognition, the band was handed an ideology crisis, as one of the journalists revealed a bracelet, worn by Kolesnikov around his arm as a symbol of capitalist decadence. The same year the band participated in and was awarded a prize in The Novopolotsk Youth Music Festival. After the Festival the band received broad media recognition and coverage. The first official album was recorded and produced by The State TV, and as an 'official' album, admitted to be played by radio stations and TV programs. In 1987 the band participated and acclaimed in rock-festivals in Zielona Góra, Poland and Strakonice, Czech Republic. Participation in festivals and in studio projects required increasing absence from their 'main' job in a wedding salon, so in 1998 Otrazhenie decided to become a 'full-time' professional entity. Performing experience and a popularity were the factors in the decision. A vast majority of popular music bands in the USSR were employed by regional Philarmonies, which provided logistical and technical support, renting amplification equipment, and paying the artists fixed salary. After failed negotiations with several philarmonies Otrazhenie decided against outsourcing, and assembles first in the region sound system by combination of leasing and acquiring, using own finances. After some time the band assembled full -fledged back office. As a result, the second all-Belorussian rock-festival in Novopolotsk used band's system for most of the performances, with Otrazhenie participating as a featured guest. At the end of 1988 Otrazhenie released its second album In the Hall of the Mountain King in Moscow. Logistical difficulties of the recording convinced the band to begin building its own recording studio, which was completed in 1990 and became one of the first independently own studios in Belarus. In 1992 Otrazhenie toured Belarus with Aria - leading Russian heavy metal band.
Current state
For the last several years the band was not touring or recording, but occasionally participated in rock festivals as a guest. Otrazhenie's Mozyr studio is a center where many prominent and independent Belorussian, Ukrainian and Russian rock bands recorded their albums.
