Russian pagan metal as a communicative system

The aim of the study is to describe Russian “pagan metal” as a historically formed and evolving communicative system, describing itself as a complex of phonic, visual and verbal codes. The work applies historical-genetic, comparative and semiotic methods. The conditions of genesis of the pagan metal genre in the global metal culture and the domestic scene are considered. Important factors in the formation of the genre are the liminal-transgressive mythology of the metal style, the dynamics of extreme trends, and the cultural trend of “art-religion”. The sonic code is a combination of metal musical patterns with “folk” markers (folk instrument parts, melodic structures and singing mannerisms) heavily influenced by academic interpretations and postmodern eclecticism. The visual and verbal codes are dominated by myths of heritage, war, and natural mysticism, demonstrating value models of alternative identities.