Audiovisual Terror
IC3PEAK is a Russian music group consisting of Anastasia "Nastya" Kreslina (vocals/lyrics) and Nikolay Kostylev (music). They formed in 2013 after they meet at college.They are known for their unique mix of musical genres, unconventional looks, provocative music videos and politicised lyrics.
The group became target of censorship by the Russian security forces with their concerts being suddenly stopped and the members being detained for no reason. Conservative media have accused them of distribution of "subversive" material and their music has been called frightening and destructive. Not scared by the attempts to silence them, in 2019 the group became speakers for free speech in Russia and have guested in multiple rallies.
The members self-describe as "Audiovisual terrorism".
Discography
- IC3PEAK (2015)
- FALLAL (2016)
- Сладкая Жизнь note (2017)
- Сказка note (2018)
- До Свидания note (2020)
For non-trope information about the group visit their fan wiki
IC3PEAK provides examples of:
- Black Blood: Inverted. The music video for "Плак-Плак"note uses white paint as a stand-in for blood.
- Broken Bird: "Грустная Сука" note is about embracing this persona. The chorus roughly translates to: "I've never been dumb/ and I'll never be happy/ Sad bitch, sad bitch/ Yeah, that's the choice I've made."
- Crapsack World: One of the common themes in their music.
- Darker and Edgier: Since the release of their album Сладкая Жизнь, their music has gotten steadily bleaker in content.
- Deliberately Monochrome: Their signature look consists of pitch black clothes and skin painted bone white.
- Deranged Animation: The music video for "Сказка" mixes Clip-Art Animation with Body Horror, Mushroom Samba, and a Killer Teddy Bear.
- Did You Just Flip Off Cthulhu?: The group has been targeted by the Russian government, having been arrested under fabricated charges. Their response? Recording a music video mocking the state in front of the Kremlin, the Duma, and the FSB headquarters. Perhaps appropriately, the video begins with them dousing themselves in kerosene and lighting themselves on fire in front of one of these buildings.
- Does This Remind You of Anything?: The music video for "Марш" note shows soldiers training by shooting various symbols of peace and happiness, one of which is a rainbow. Given how critical the duo are of the very homophobic Russian government, it's unlikely this symbolism wasn't on purpose.
- The Dog Bites Back: "Плак-Плак" dramatises a woman (played by Nastya) killing her abusive husband (played by Nikolay).
- Duality Motif: Nastya has noticeable heterochromia, her right eye blue and the left brown.
- Eerie Pale-Skinned Brunette: Signature look for both members.
- Even the Girls Want Her: Nastya has a lot of female fans.
- Genre Mashup: IC3PEAK's genre can be best described as "witch house," but they blend in elements from trap, folk songs, industrial rock, soft pop, and even tropical music.
- Ghost Story: Сказкаnote was inspired by folk horror tales.
- Heart Symbol: The cover for their album より多くの愛 depicts a broken heart in the colours of the Russian flag.
- I'm a Humanitarian: The music video for "Смерти Больше Нет" note has them eating bloody raw meat.
- New Sound Album: Сладкая Жизнь marks a transition in their career from most of the songs being in English to their native Russian.
- Protest Song: Several; "Марш" note being the biggest and most prescient example of an anti-war song. As such, they are both opposed to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began years after the song released.
- Self-Immolation: On "Смерти Больше Нет." The lyrics describe someone setting themselves on fire with all of Russia watching them.
- Vocal Dissonance: Nastya singing voice alternates between very soft, almost mumbling, to a deep tone to screaming.
- Widow Mistreatment: The music video for "Марш" acknowledges the tragic cycle of women watching their husbands go off and die in war, then the same thing happening to their sons.
- A Wild Rapper Appears!: City Morgue member Zillakami has a verse on "TRRST." His rough voice and dark lyrics makes him fit right in.
