Artist Bio
Aleksei Iagunkov is a singer and guitarist from Sydney. In terms of style, his work primarily focuses on the genres of rock and metal. Born in Moscow, Aleksei blends his unique background with his studies at UOW. He has played live extensively, including at Metal United Down Under 2024 in Port Kembla. Aleksei’s practice explores the middle ground between musical complexity and accessibility.
Artist Statement
Carthago Delenda Est is the epitome of my three years of BCA studies at UOW. This ten-minute progressive metal epic encompasses my personal influences, such as Dream Theater, Rainbow, Opeth and Yngwie Malmsteen, as well as the knowledge and skills I have gained throughout the music course. The song is built upon balancing complexity and accessibility including key and metre changes, as well as unconventional Middle Eastern-sounding scales. The lyrics explore the destruction of the city of Carthage by the Roman Republic and the repetition of history.
The piece was recorded live in the studio to keep its volatile and dynamic energy, with only a few overdubs. My collaborators and band members include Ewan Dimmock on Drums, Aydin Richards on Keyboard and Declan Sapienza on Bass Guitar.