Krematorij (Крематорий) is a Russian rock group. The group’s front man (and… Read Full Bio ↴Krematorij (Крематорий) is a Russian rock group. The group’s front man (and main song writer) is Armen Grigoryan (Армен Григорян).

The group was formed in 1983 by Armen Grigoryan (Армен Григорян) and Viktor Troyegubov (Виктор Троегубов) and quickly grew in popularity {[fact}} in the rock circles of Moscow. After the release of Illusionary World (Иллюзорный мир) in 1985, the group gained a reputation throughout the former Soviet Union and began to perform at concerts all over the country. However, Troyegubov left as a result of discord between the two leaders and formed a new project called Smoke (Дым). Krematorij continued to increase in popularity [citation needed] until several group members left again after the release of Coma (Кома) in 1988. Grigoryan succeeded in drawing new musicians to the band. The line-up has otherwise been unchanged to this day.

Troyegubov temporarily returned to the group in 1993 as both a musician and the director of the group. In 1994, the group worked on the film Tatsu (Тацу); however, the film was not a success and was never brought to rental, though clips from the film are frequently used in Krematorij’s music videos. After another quarrel, Troyegubov left the group for a second and final time. He later wrote a book entitled Life in Krematorij and Outside It (Жизнь в „Крематории“ и вне его) in which he makes many accusations against Grigoryan. He returned to Smoke which quickly dissipated.

Meanwhile, Krematorij continued its creative life, releasing several more albums and performing on tours all over the world [citation needed]. Krematorij contributed greatly to the development of the Russian rock music genre. Grigoryan composes multifaceted lyrics that frequently deal with the themes of life and death in various religious contexts. The use of the violin serves to give Krematorij an individuality that has been essential to the group’s continued popularity

Брат во христе
Крематорий Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

У мертвого Стикса в отравленной зоне,
В гиблом месте, в проклятом доме
Жил до последнего дня,
По рожденью был Крысой, по звездам - Стрельцом,
Бредил огнем и сжег не одну
Тысячу ведьм на костре
Мой брат во Христе!

Вышел из дому в семь, купил в восемь,
Вкусил в девять, упал в десять,
Умер в десять ноль три,
Воскрес в понедельник, сбросил саван,
Вошел в ванну, открыл кран
И ходил по воде
Мой брат во Христе!

Перед входом в бессмертье свою душу
Вложил в песню, которую в небе
Не услышал никто,
И в ожидании тщетном святым камнем
Написал свое имя на песке

И канул в лету
Мой брат во Христе!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Крематорий's song "Брат во Христе" portray the life and death of a person who lived on the edge, in a cursed house in a poisoned zone near the river Styx. The individual identifies with the astrological sign Sagittarius and is also referred to as "Крыса" (Rat) by birth. The person's existence is characterized by a sense of restlessness and a fascination with fire, having burned numerous witches at the stake. Despite the chaotic and unconventional lifestyle, the singer is described as "брат во Христе" (a brother in Christ), suggesting a perhaps paradoxical connection to spirituality.

The second stanza depicts the person's routine, waking up early and purchasing something by eight, indulging in something by nine, and eventually dying at ten past three. The mention of resurrection on Monday and the symbolism of discarding the burial shroud indicate a spiritual transformation or rebirth. The person then walks on water, alluding to the biblical miracle performed by Jesus. This imagery suggests a transcendence of earthly limitations and an affinity with divine power.

In the final stanza, the person metaphorically invests their soul in a song that remains unheard in heaven. They futilely wait for recognition or holy salvation, symbolized by writing their name on the sand, only to disappear into oblivion. These lyrics evoke a sense of longing for significance and immortality, while also highlighting the complexities of human existence and the search for meaning.

Line by Line Meaning

У мертвого Стикса в отравленной зоне,
In the dead Styx in the poisoned zone,

В гиблом месте, в проклятом доме
In a doomed place, in a cursed house

Жил до последнего дня,
He lived until the very last day

По рожденью был Крысой, по звездам - Стрельцом,
By birth, he was a Rat, by stars - a Sagittarius

Бредил огнем и сжег не одну
He was obsessed with fire and burned more than one

Тысячу ведьм на костре
A thousand witches on the pyre

Мой брат во Христе!
My brother in Christ!

Вышел из дому в семь, купил в восемь,
He left home at seven, bought something at eight

Вкусил в девять, упал в десять,
Tasted it at nine, fell at ten

Умер в десять ноль три,
Died at ten o'clock three

Воскрес в понедельник, сбросил саван,
Resurrected on Monday, threw off the shroud