MIKHAIL began in 2004 as a solo project for Mijail Salazar., who at the time was playing drums for two bands (Gravewürm, Inverted Trifixion.) The spark of creativity lit a flame that would soon engulf Mijail with an obsession to pursue the full glory of music. Verily, the freedom to compose without restriction came at a price. There were many obstacles at hand, being a self taught musician with little background in music, although, coming from a musical family did give him an advantage; a natural ability. Mijail began composing music for MIKHAIL on piano, which would later be adapted to various instruments.
The first full line up was assembled in 2006 with high school friends. This would be around the time that the tide would turn. Mijail would have to depart from all other musical projects in order to fully commit to the project that had become a full band. He would adopt a new instrument, the electric guitar. Classmate, John Escobar would be the first to join this pursuit. Mijail and John were just beginners on guitar and not long after, Alex (John's younger brother) would become their keyboard player. Anthony Chavez joined in as bass player via John's recommendation.
With the original compositions of 2004, 2006 saw the birth of variations that would become full songs. Those first couple of tracks would be: Amorous Decay and Lunacy...
Through what is now an antiquated social media platform: myspace, would help the group find a drummer by the name of Frank Zia. This line up would spend the better part of a year rehearsing into 2007. Funny enough, the band had almost made their debut in December of 2006, this of course could not happen because the group did not feel ready. The bands first demo came from a rehearsal for the song, Amorous Decay, captured by a cassette player.
Once everyone felt a little more comfortable with their instrument, each member seemed to pull in their own direction. Mijail would have to begin the search for a new line up. It was an amicable parting and many of the members had other obligations they needed to adhere to. Not to mention, one of the members at the time, moved out of state. By 2008, Mijail was joined by two new members: Daniel Harris on drums and Matt Jacobs on bass guitar.
The second line up would debut live in concert at The Ottobar in Baltimore, Maryland on May 14th, 2008.
It was around this time that the band would see the addition of a new keyboard player, Nikolas Rodriguez.
Unfortunately, Daniel would leave the group but help provide a suitable replacement by way of Eli Woodbridge. While all of this was set in motion, Mijail was asked to join a different band but could not commit due to the dedication needed and instead recommended Daniel to join his good friend, Steve Rosenzweig in a band he was putting together at the time. (Visceral Disgorge.)
One notable quality for the band throughout its history was that it had initially begun as a black metal project and evolved into something entirely different. The band would not follow the typical trends of the time, since its inception, the band has left many confused on how to classify them. Always evolving while maintaining the sound that they etched from the years of hardship and multiple setbacks.
In September of 2009, the band would have the honor of opening for Stratovarius, Pagans Mind and Visionary at Sonar in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to personal reasons, Matt could no longer continue with the band after the aforementioned show and a replacement would be found in an original member, John.
This line up would continue until 2011. Leaving just Nikolas and Mijail temporarily. Eventually, forming a new line up once again, joined by Maurice McLaughlin on drums and Robert Mullins on Bass Guitar. The doors would revolve once more until finding a stable line up. Mijail was about to lose faith when in 2011, Maurice suggested Emmanuel Jarquin and brother, Jhovany, who would go on to join the band.
They made haste and the following year, they would start tracking their debut album. Regretfully, Nikolas would withdraw from the group before recording, which left the band as a trio. The only thing different this time was the determination was unyielding and prepared to finish what was soon to unravel. Mijail would assume the responsibilities of Vocalist, Guitarist, Keyboard Player and Drummer alongside, Emmanuel on guitar, Jhovany on bass and Ashley Maccabee as sound engineer who would provide additional Vocals on this album.
On December 19th, 2013 that album was self-released entitled, "Ich Hatte Viel Bekümmernis." Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Antithesis Studios by Ashley Maccabee. In 2014, Ashley would fill in with the band temporarily (up until 2016) to help play a few shows with the group. By the year 2015, Timothy Anna joins as keyboard player at the suggestion of his brother, Ethan (who was a long time friend to Mijail.) It was around this time that Emmanuel and Jhovany would depart from the group. Not long after, Ludwig Colindres joins as guitarist and the return of Matt to the group. The band would have Mijail shift from guitar to drums and vocals until the arrival of Ari Mazziotta as drummer in 2017. In 2018, the band would once again lose Matt but focus on releasing something new, without wasting time.
The band had made mention of releasing their long awaited second album but the stars were not yet aligned. Rather, the band sought to write something heavier than anything they have done before. An idea was floating and was soon to come to fruition. Then came, "The Abolishment of Creation," which would be released on Thanksgiving of 2018. Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Candelabra Studios by Mijail.
While all of this was happening, Emmanuel returned as bass player.
In 2019, the band saw its busiest schedule to date, playing shows nearly every month. They entered a Battle of The Bands and won. Followed by an appearance at Beer City Metal Fest in Asheville, North Carolina and concluding with their first mini tour of The United States with The Astral Cadence, Emerge a Tyrant and Deathless. The following year, the band released "Aegri Somnia" on February 20th. Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Candelabra Studios. Demonstrating once again their ability to be change, evolve all while retaining their sound.
Post Aegri Somnia E.P. - The world would go through the Pandemic of 2020 which included shutdowns and isolation. This would be a great detriment to the group for various reasons. One of which, included travel restrictions making rehearsals no longer feasible. Still the optimism remained and composing was one of the saving graces for the band itself.
In the summer of that year, Ludwig left the group and not long after Ari followed suit. This would leave a trio for a temporary period. A lot of uncertainty was apparent during that year but the music remained unmoved, poised to endure.
Emmanuel would be the next in line to depart the group during the first quarter of 2021. Which brings MIKHAIL to a new chapter in their history, where playing live is but a memory but not necessarily due to just a line up change but because of the continuity of the aforementioned pandemic.
Although the loss of members would be the end of most bands, this was a great opportunity to continue writing and recording. Timothy would withdraw from the group as well but not fully. In May of 2022, MIKHAIL played a show as a quartet with Mijail on Vocals/Drums, Emmanuel on Bass, Timothy on Keys and James (Wythersake) filling in on guitar. Which would be the first show the band played in nearly 3 years.
On 4th of July, 2022 MIKHAIL welcomed its newest member. Patrick Moore as guitarist alongside Mijail. A few months later on September 25th, 2022; Charlie Dissinger joins as drummer.
The band is currently preparing the release of a brand new single, entitled: “Alegría pro la Vida” which is set to release on December, 12, 2022.