Album: Symphony of Rage
(1) Could you tell our readers about your band? – What kind of music do you perform, when was it established, etc.?
Hello! My name is Anna KiaRa, and I have a band with the same name. It’s my solo project, which means that I compose music, lyrics, do most of the management and everything else, and I have hired musicians to play live with me. I founded the band in 2019, and released the first album in 2020. From the beginning it was a studio project where I wanted to release my ideas for the songs, but then it was formed into the performing band and after I left my previous band (Imperial Age), where I was a hired singer in 2023, I fully concentrated on my own band. Since 2023 we already had three European and one UK tour, and recently released the third album Symphony Of Rage (June 2025). We play music which is based on symphonic-power metal, but add many different elements, such as folk, modern, heavy and even black metal. Some reviewers call it progressive metal, but I don’t think so. In general, I just compose music how I feel it and try not to put myself in any frames.
(2) Which bands do you idolize and where do you get your inspiration?
I started my way in rock and metal music when I heard Queen and Scorpions. Then I discovered Nightwish and Kamelot, and those were the bands where I heard the music that I wanted to create myself. I also liste
n, play and sing a lot of classical music.
(3) Who came up with the album cover?
I made a photoshoot and found a perfect photo for the cover of the album last year! Then I sent it to my designer, describing the idea that I want to see, and got the album cover! The second face behind me represents our duality that is always fighting inside us.
(4) Who wrote the lyrics for your album, how did they come to be?
I wrote all the lyrics myself. As you can see, there are two different versions of the same songs sometimes – one in English and one in my native Russian language. Usually I write English versions first, and then I decide whether it will be suitable for Russian translation or not. For this album there were three songs originally written in Russian – Blood Of Heroes and Flight Of The Valkyrie because they are the old songs of my
very first band, and She-Wolf. The rest were written originally in English.
(5) Who created the logo of the band, and who took care of the graphics and the website? What about you and social networks?
You’ll be laughing, but… it’s also me! You know, I’m a full time musician, I also give vocal lessons, but I don’t have any other business or a rich family to help me. That’s why there are only two ways – to learn and to do most of the things myself or to finish everything. So I choose the first way. I became a designer, a makeup artist, a manager, a social media creator, a photographer sometimes, a booking agent, etc. Of course I’d like to hire a big team doing everything for me, but then I have to earn a lot of money first, or to take out a big loan, and I don’t want to do it. So I just do what I can with what I have and hope that I’ll be able to have a team soon.
(6) How many Shows have you played? Which type of gigs do you prefer, whether (Venues or festivals) and which of your performances would you consider as the best?
From 2023 when we started to tour we played more than 30 shows I think. Recently in August I played my first headliner’s festival in Crete – Over The Wall festival. I like playing at festivals, especially where there are many people. There’s always an opportunity to get new fans over there. So far I think that the best show we had was at the Metal Harmony festival in May. It was a great atmosphere and a good audience there!
(7) Who came up with the name of the album?
That’s me again 🙂 This album is the reflection of my life recently – I split up with the previous band where I was singing and touring for 7 years and I didn’t know if I could continue with my own band, and the political situation also doesn’t help me being Russian and to continue to follow my dream and be an international artist. So I got sort of depressed and it was reflected in this album. Sometimes anger and rage were the only feelings that helped me to continue, that’s why I named it Symphony Of Rage.
(8) How and where can your fans contact you? Can you provide some contact information?
Everywhere! I try to answer people on every social media platform. I also have an official website – annakiaraofficial.com and email info@annakiaraoffical.com. I am always open for good collaborations andhow offers! Thank you!
