Biting Elbows

Biting Elbows is a Moscow-based indie rock outfit that gained international notoriety through the intersection of music and innovative filmmaking. Founded in 2008 by Ilya Naishuller and Ilya Kondratyev, the band's identity is inextricably linked to Naishuller's career as a director.

Their 2013 music video for 'Bad Motherfucker' became a viral phenomenon for its first-person perspective action, a technique Naishuller later expanded into the feature film 'Hardcore Henry.' Sonically, the band evolved from a punk-influenced garage rock sound on their self-titled debut to a more nuanced, post-punk and alternative rock aesthetic on 2020's 'Shorten the Longing.' Their music often features tight, interlocking rhythms and a focus on propulsive energy, which led to their inclusion in Hideo Kojima's 'Death Stranding: Director's Cut.' Critically, they are noted for maintaining a high level of technical precision while channeling a raw, almost chaotic energy. The band has weathered significant transitions, including the tragic passing of guitarist Igor Buldenkov in 2023, yet they remain a central pillar of the Russian alternative scene with a global cult following.