Holy Dragons

Lore & Background

Holy Dragons were formed on 11 September 1992 when guitarist Jurgen Thunderson gathered the first line-up with singer Oleg 'Holger' Komaroff to play hard rock and heavy metal. Initially called Axcess, the band changed its name to Holy Dragons in 1997. The first line-up included Bulat Sadvakassov on lead guitar, Marat Sadvakassov on drums, and Roman 'Africa' Cubashev on bass. Early demo tapes were distributed by re-recording among friends. The band recorded its first full-length album, *Dragon Steel*, in 1998 with the original members.

The band's line-up underwent considerable changes over the years, with Thunderson remaining the sole constant member. After the Axcess years (1992–1995) and a reformation period (1995–1997), the band stabilized with vocalist Anders 'Caban' Kraft, bassist Marina 'Gill Sheffield' Mikhailova, and drummer Simon.

Reader's Guide

Holy Dragons hold significance as pioneers of Kazakhstani heavy metal, being among the first metal bands from the country. Their music, rooted in 1980s heavy metal with elements of speed, power, and techno thrash, helped establish a metal scene in Kazakhstan. The band's early work, including demos and the album Dragon Steel, was distributed through limited means but reached audiences outside Kazakhstan. Their collaboration with Russian label Metalism Records from 2003 and later with Cyprus-based Pitch Black Records indicates a sustained international presence. The band's 2009 album Iron Mind was released as a free downloadable Internet release, reflecting adaptation to digital distribution. Despite frequent line-up changes, Jurgen Thunderson's continuous leadership has maintained the band's identity and output over decades.

Did You Know?

• The band's creation date is considered 11 September 1992.
• The band was originally called Axcess before changing to Holy Dragons in 1997.
• The first full-length album, Dragon Steel, was recorded in only 28 hours of studio time.

Origins in Almaty's Underground

Holy Dragons trace their roots to September 11, 1992, in Almaty—the city that would later cede its capital status to Astana in 1997. Guitarist Jurgen Thunderson assembled the initial roster around singer Oleg "Holger" Komaroff, with Bulat Sadvakassov on lead guitar, Marat Sadvakassov behind the drums, and Roman "Africa" Cubashev anchoring the bass. Operating under the name Axcess, the group produced several demo tapes in 1992 and 1993, including "In Magic Kingdom," "Jump into Hell," and "Oaken Brains." Distribution was entirely grassroots: friends copied tracks from cassette to cassette using portable recorders. Stylistically, the band explored multiple metal subgenres from the outset, positioning them as arguably the first metal act Kazakhstan had ever produced. Thunderson has remained the sole constant member through every subsequent iteration of the group, serving as the founding thread that connects all eras.

Fracture and Reassembly

The early years were defined by repeated dissolution and regrouping. By mid-1993, the original Axcess lineup had fractured: Cubashev departed to pursue a reggae project called "People of the Sun," Thunderson joined a death metal outfit called Izverg and a blues-rock band named Benn Gunn Band, while Komaroff drifted between a heavy metal group called Cerberus and his own Project Minstrel. A 1994 reassembly brought in bassist Veniamin Polovinko and drummer Slava Greechenco, but after a rehearsal demo called "Genocide" and a handful of local festival appearances, the group split again by early 1995. Thunderson then revived the project under a new identity, recruiting guitarist Chris "Thorheim" Caine and cycling through numerous session drummers and bassists. By 1996, the group—now calling itself Holy Dragons—recorded an eight-song demo titled "Halloween Night," which would eventually evolve into their debut studio album.

Dragon Steel and the First Licensed Release

The album Dragon Steel, completed in 1998, represented a landmark moment for Central Asian metal. The entire record was captured in a mere 28 hours in the studio and initially issued on cassette by Kazakhstan's Studio Iris, making it likely the first full-length metal album from the country to reach listeners beyond its borders. The original vocal performances were delivered by Anders "Caban" Kraft, a singer drawn from the local bands Beermaht and Holy Inquisition. The band promoted the record with a two-track single called "Wild Cat." However, Kraft's vocal style proved less appealing to international audiences, prompting the group to re-record the vocals for the CD release with a new singer, Daniel "Dan" Throne, who had previously played in the band Wook. Throne's arrival, alongside bassist Steven Dreico, marked the beginning of what would become the band's most stable and internationally recognized lineup.

Stylistic Identity and Label Partnerships

From its inception, Holy Dragons has anchored its sound in the heavy metal traditions of the 1980s, while simultaneously weaving in elements of speed metal, power metal, hard rock, and techno thrash. This commitment to a classic, high-energy approach has remained the group's defining characteristic across three decades of activity. On the business side, the band's recording career has been shaped by a series of shifting label relationships. After the early tape-era releases, the group began collaborating with Russia's Metalism Records in 2003, with additional albums issued in partnership with Soyuz Music, Metal Agen, and Sound Age. In 2009, they released Iron Mind as a freely downloadable digital file, embracing the internet age. The band currently works with Pitch Black Records, an independent label based in Cyprus, continuing to operate outside the mainstream industry structure.

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