Recommended Russian artists: Popular international singers and singer-songwriters
Russia is a country that enjoys overwhelming support in classical and metal music.
In Japan, there isn’t much of a culture of listening to foreign music other than English and Korean, so many people may not be familiar with it, but the Russian music scene actually boasts world-class quality.
This time, I’ve picked out some artists and bands that are active in Russia.
I’ve selected songs from a wide range of genres, so please try finding a favorite artist.
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Recommended Russian Artists: Popular International Singers and Singer-Songwriters (51–60)
Пустошь СмаугаЭпидемия
Those who searched using the Russian spelling “Эпидемия” may have been surprised to see a Russian TV drama come up in the results.
Written as “Epidemia” in English, they are a veteran Russian power metal band active since the 1990s and a source of national pride.
With grand symphonic elements, guitar lines packed with gloriously cheesy phrases, and passionate high-register vocals sung in their native language, they’re beloved not only in Russia but also by power metal fans in Japan and beyond.
They even performed in Japan in 2019, which is likely when many people first discovered them.
While their core is classic power metal, they’ve also released story-driven rock opera works; their songs boast exceptional quality thanks to solid songwriting and a finely tuned band ensemble.
If you’ve recently gotten interested in metal from non-English-speaking countries, their melodies—tailor-made to appeal to Japanese tastes—are irresistibly uplifting!
DARKSIDEAKADO
Akado is a rock band with an impressive style that blends elements of electronic music into glam rock and gothic metal.
Russia is famous for its highly developed rock scene, and among it, Akado is a particularly popular band.
While many people might feel that gothic metal and glam rock can be a bit intimidating, their style is very close to what VAMPS represents in Japan, so you might find it surprisingly easy to listen to!
Grupa KrowiKeno
Kino was a band that was active before the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Viktor Tsoi, the vocalist who passed away at the young age of 28, is known by the nickname “the God of Rock.” “Gruppa Krovi (Группа крови)” is one of their signature songs.
ГЛЮК’ОZANOSTRAГлюкозa
Natasha Ionova is a Russian singer who also worked as a child actor.
The band centered around her is called Glukoza, and this name is also used for her solo activities.
“ГЛЮК’ОZANOSTRA” is the title track of an album released in 2004.
ПОЧЕМУ?MORGENSHTERN
While more and more artists are starting out as YouTubers and later making it big as musicians, Russia appears to be no exception.
Born in 1998, Morgenstern, who began as a YouTuber and is now active as a rapper and singer-songwriter, creates melodious trap that resonates with Gen Z artists in the West.
He continues to build a global presence—collaborating, for example, with fellow Gen Z rapper Lil Pump from the U.S., who was born in 2000.
If you’re interested in non-English-language music, or if you’ve only ever listened to American-made trap, now’s the time to check out Morgenstern, an artist poised to expand his reach even further.