Viktor Dmitrievich Smolsky is a musician of the USSR and Belarus, the son of the famous Belarusian composer Dmitry Bronislavovich Smolsky.
How it all began
Viktor Dmitrievich Smolsky is a universal musician playing several instruments (multi-instrumentalist), composer, member of the Rage rock group (Germany), the Mind Odyssey group.
Victor Smolsky was born in February 1969 in Minsk. Since childhood, the boy liked music, and he enjoyed attending classes at a music school. As a result, he learned to play the guitar, piano and cello.
In 1986, when the young man was 17 years old, he joined the experimental youth studio, created on the basis of the Pesnyary collective, popular not only in Belarus but also outside its borders. Two years of classes in the studio did not pass without a trace, allowing Victor to gain a certain musical experience. In 1988, Smolsky founded his own band "Inspector", performing hard rock music.
I must say that Smolsky’s idea turned out to be very successful - the group successfully toured the cities of Germany. After some time, the team released the first and only musical album “Russian Prayer”. However, only a few years passed, and the Inspector group, unfortunately, broke up. Victor Dmitrievich Smolsky decided to perform solo. He stayed to live in Germany and seriously began to pursue a musical career.
Work with Mind Odyssey and Rage
In 1995, the musician joined the band Mind Odyssey. Together with the band members, Victor took part in the recording of two music records. The contacts and contacts that remained in Smolsky’s homeland helped him organize a joint performance of a rock band with the Belarusian Symphony Orchestra. In addition to performing with the group, Victor toured Europe with his father, Dmitry Smolsky. The musicians co-authored several symphonic works for electric guitar and orchestra.
In 1999, Viktor Dmitrievich Smolsky learned that the old line-up of members of the popular in Germany band Rage had broken up, and a new guitarist was required in the new band. The man decided to use the chance given by fate and did not lose. In addition to the functions of a guitarist, Victor, as part of his work in the group, became the author of musical material - he recorded nine studio albums and two concert albums.
For three years (from 2004 to 2007) Smolsky played in another group - “Kipelov”, because this group lost its guitarist Sergei Mavrin. However, on posters Viktor Smolsky was indicated as a “specially invited guest” - he was torn at the same time between two groups (the musician did not leave the Rage line-up).
Creative biography
With Kipelov, Smolsky organized and conducted several concerts, took part in the recording of the musical record “Rivers of Times”. In addition, the musicians organized a whole tour in support of this album. There was a period when Victor played simultaneously for two groups - the groups Rage and "Kipelov" performed in joint concerts. In 2006, a new guitarist, Vyacheslav Molchanov, appeared in the Kipelov band, and Viktor Smolsky returned to Rage.
In 2007, Victor began a very interesting work - he participated in the recording of the special disc “Nuclear Blast Allstars: Into the Light”. The disc was dedicated to the anniversary of the record company Nuclear Blast.
I must say that the event was quite large-scale, because the famous world-class vocalists who to this day are partners of the campaign or have ever resorted to its services took part in the recording of this album.
Among the star names you can distinguish Tobias Zammet, Peter "Peavy" Wagner, Tony Kakko, Andy Deris. Interestingly, the composer and producer of all the songs on the record was Viktor Dmitrievich Smolsky.
In 2015, Viktor Smolsky, whose biography is inextricably linked with the Rage group, left the team. At the same time, Rage officially announced its collapse.
Today Smolsky is a producer of the Krasnodar metal band FreaKozaks.
What happened to Rage?
The collapse of the team caused a lot of rumors - an incredible number of versions and reasons for what happened were born. The news was especially unexpected because in 2014 the group celebrated its 30th anniversary, confirmed by a grand concert tour not only in Russia but also in Europe. However, despite vigorous musical activity, oddities in the biography of the musical collective sometimes happened. For example, Pivi Wagner - the "face" of the group - on the eve of a grand musical event (anniversary) teamed up with former Rage musicians in the Refuge group, and began to actively promote the newly created team.
Viktor Dmitrievich Smolsky commented on this situation. It turned out that disagreements were already taking place in the team, and the members of the group understood that disintegration was inevitable, it was just a matter of time. Just no one knew when this would happen. On the other hand, the presence of some personal claims to each other did not prevent the musicians from doing their job superbly - they were very good at playing, and every concert, every performance brought genuine satisfaction.
What's next?
The musicians parted in an adult way - without squabbles, quarrels and resentment against each other. Smolsky admits that he does not like conflicts and showdown. For him, the most important and favorite pastime is music. According to the musician, a lot of musical material has been gathered in his piggy bank, and he plans to do studio work - Smolsky’s plans include recording songs that have accumulated on two whole albums. In addition, Viktor Dmitrievich constantly receives offers from various musicians about cooperation - a man does not exclude the possibility of collaboration.
As for the old repertoire of the Rage group, then all the members of the team aspire to it. Smolsky is sure that no disagreement should arise on this issue, since all musicians are co-authors.
Viktor Smolsky, whose personal life has developed successfully, is today inspired and full of daring plans. An important reason for creative inspiration is the musician’s young son. Recently, a child appeared in the Smolsky family, and, according to the frankly acknowledged musician, he enjoys a cozy family hearth. Viktor Dmitrievich has not planned a lot of tours in the near future, and he is going to devote all his free time to communication with the baby. And also - to make music at your pleasure. According to Viktor Dmitrievich Smolsky, this is the most important thing for him, everything else is trifles.