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Kvalia (cyr. Квалиа) is an experimental musical project founded by Aleksander Maznichenko in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia. The band’s style verges towards noisy post-punk / post-industrial music, intensified by transcendent poetry, occasionally drawing inspiration from occult science. The band critiques societal conformity, authority, and modern political landscapes, continuing the legacy of experimental acts like Swans, Zvuki Mu, Grajdanskaya Oborona and Laibach.
Formed in 2014, Kvalia gained local attention with their debut mini-album in 2015, followed by a series of restless live performances. After a brief hiatus and travels, Maznichenko reformed the band in 2018, introducing a sound that fused abrasive electronics with anti-isolationist themes of lyrics. Their 2020 album Scholastic Dreams of Forceful Machines earned international recognition and was re-released by French label Swish Swash in 2021.
Relocating to Georgia, in 2022 Kvalia became actively involved in anti-war and charity events, donating to organizations such as Voices of Children, The Motshaleba Foundation, Choose to Help, and United 24. In 2023, their split album with Prognoz Pogody Satire and Humor of the Early 21st Century earned them a nomination for the Sergey Kuryokhin Contemporary Art Award.
<aside> This isn't about fun. The pure catharsis is beaten from the synapses into the neocortex. At some point, it has to hurt and that's a good thing. <…> While current Russian post-punk bands like Molchat Doma and Motorama sound almost conciliatory, Kvalia wants emotional confrontation. That helps no escape. — Ox Fanzine, Germany
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<aside> An icy, metallic collection of post-industrial clang pitched somewhere between Einstürzende Neubauten and early Clock DVA. — Dusted, USA
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<aside> The duo, originally from Siberia, specializes in serrated edges and caustic passages. It is arguably only post-punk insofar as This Heat was post-punk. — La Tempestad, Mexico
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<aside> I was so excited when I heard the audio, and I was convinced when I saw the live video! I fell in love with the sharpness of the band, as if they were going to hit me suddenly without warning. — Niche Music, Japan
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<aside> Perhaps the prospect of encountering more sophisticated lyricism is still elusive. Aleksander Maznichenko, in his inherent manner, continues to scrupulously explore the dark alcoves of the unconscious, into which keep knocking the aggravating intentions of historical reality. — KTOTO, Russia
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2023 — Сатира и Юмор Начала XXI в.
2020 — Схоластические Грезы Силовых Машин
2023 — Traditsiya (Live Video)
2023 — Sun as a Dream (Official Music Video)