The lead vocalist of the rock outfit Uma2rman, Vladimir Kristovsky, spoke about the group’s plans to mark its 20th anniversary in 2023 with a bold, multi‑faceted celebration. In remarks made to a publication, he revealed that the band intends to release an album that collects the best songs from their catalog, reimagined with a symphony orchestra providing a grand, cinematic backdrop. The project would honor the band’s decade plus of music while introducing these beloved tracks to a new level of orchestral depth and texture.
Kristovsky emphasized that the track selection might not strictly reflect the group’s most commercially successful songs, but rather what he considers the strongest artistic statements. He suggested that the orchestral reworkings would accompany a substantial live show featuring a full orchestra, aiming to deliver a sweeping, immersive experience for fans and newcomers alike. The idea reflects Uma2rman’s history of ambitious live performances and a willingness to push their sound into new sonic territory.
Uma2rman came together in July 2003, when the Kristovsky brothers—Vladimir and another founding member—assembled a 15‑track demo in Nizhny Novgorod and sent the tapes to Moscow labels. The group’s first public appearance happened on December 19, 2003, at a Zemfira concert held at the 16 Tons club in Moscow. It was there that the band performed its track Praskovya with Zemfira, signalling the arrival of a new force in Russian rock. Over the years, Uma2rman would grow famous for songs that became integral to the era, with cuts expanding beyond their own albums to appear in film soundtracks and television projects.
Among the group’s most recognizable moments are collaborations and placements that helped cement their place in popular culture. The song Say Goodbye and the track that served as a soundtrack for a famous film or show, as well as contributions to a well‑known vampire saga, contributed to the band’s enduring presence in the Russian music scene. While these collaborations brought wider attention, Uma2rman consistently balanced energetic live performances with thoughtful, melodic compositions that resonated with a broad audience.
Recently, the collaboration between Uma2rman and space exploration was highlighted when a portion of the video for the song Stars, created in partnership with cosmonaut Sergei Korsakov, was filmed aboard the International Space Station. This unusual project underscored the band’s penchant for expansive ideas and boundary‑pushing visuals, reflecting a willingness to blend art with science and to explore unusual storytelling environments. The ISS footage added another layer to the band’s evolving narrative, signaling a readiness to experiment with format and venue in creative ways.