About the band

About Aldaspan

How It All Began

Late 1980s. Alma-Ata (now Almaty).

Nurzhan Toishy (then still known as Toichiev Nurzhan) was a student at Secondary School No. 120 when he caught the “virus” of heavy rock. Metallica, Slayer, Sepultura, and other giants of the genre were a real revelation for him.

As he listened closely to riffs by James Hetfield, Kerry King, and Max Cavalera, Nurzhan noticed something striking: certain parts of their songs triggered the same emotional surge as traditional Kazakh kyuis—instrumental pieces performed on the dombra. What’s more, in terms of rhythm and accents, those riffs felt surprisingly close to dombra playing techniques.

This discovery wasn’t accidental. Alongside his growing love for rock, Nurzhan played dombra in local clubs and studied at the Zhubanov Music School. That’s where he first realized that ancient steppe music and modern heavy rock have far more in common than most people would ever assume.

Even in his school years, he shared an idea with classmates: to build an electric dombra and perform existing music on it. But the idea didn’t receive support. In his Russian-language school, the dombra was seen as uncool, and many Kazakh students were distant from their national culture, language, and traditions.

On top of that, in the late 1980s there was no access to the necessary equipment, skilled makers, or technology. The idea had to be put on hold—for many years.

21 Years Later.

More than two decades passed. The Soviet Union collapsed, the world changed, new opportunities appeared—and a youth dream returned.

In 2009, while in Moscow, Nurzhan purchased the electronic components he needed and brought in Murat Kubekov, an employee of the Kazakh State Conservatory, a piano technician, and someone well connected with craftsmen who build acoustic dombras.

Together they built three instruments. Only the first electric dombra turned out truly successful—despite an inaccurate neck scale length and a number of technical flaws. But the main goal was achieved: from the very first tests, it was clear the dombra’s distinctive voice had not disappeared.

Thanks to two braided strings of the same diameter, the instrument kept its recognizable timbre, but it sounded more powerful, brighter, and more aggressive. The fear that the electric dombra would simply turn into a standard electric guitar proved unfounded.

That success inspired Nurzhan and strengthened his belief in the project. He is deeply grateful to Murat-aga for his support. At the same time, another reality became obvious: in Kazakhstan there were virtually no builders who professionally made stringed electric instruments.

So it was back to Moscow again.

At the Shamray workshop, the idea was met with genuine interest. It was the end of 2010. The discussion lasted almost four hours and became yet another confirmation that Aldaspan was heading in the right direction.

In 2009, Nurzhan Toishy fully shaped the project’s concept:

to run the sound of an ancient nomadic instrument through overdrive and distortion.

Back in 1988, he had already understood that the rhythms of fast and heavy rock often echo the feel of kyuis—wordless musical works that have been heard for centuries across the Eurasian steppe. These melodies remain an essential part of Kazakh culture and of other Turkic peoples, especially Kipchak communities.

Realizing that the electric dombra could offer the same range of tone variations as an electric guitar, Nurzhan chose the band’s future direction without hesitation: heavy rock.

There was only one, but fundamental difference:

instead of electric guitars—electric dombras
(solo, rhythm, and bass).

If the electric guitar is a familiar, mass-produced instrument, the electric dombra is a different story:

1.   The electric dombra, as a fully developed electric instrument, first appeared in the world in the 21st century.

2.   Kazakhstan has a unique community of professional dombra players whose distinctive technique is still largely unknown to the world.

Building the Band and the Idea

To complete the lineup, the band needed a drummer—and that became Nurzhan himself. He also took on the role of frontman and vocalist. Singing drummers aren’t rare in global music—think Phil Collins, members of the Eagles, or Kreator.

The lyrical themes were clear from the start:

war, valor, courage, honor.

The foundation came from ancient Turkic warrior epics filled with images of battle, bravery, and heroism. The history of Genghis Khan’s empire and his descendants—whose armies were made up in large part of Kipchak tribes—became a major source of inspiration.

This type of theme is barely represented in global show business, and that’s exactly why it became an open, unclaimed niche.

The band name was obvious: Aldaspan—a Kazakh word meaning a heavy saber designed to cut down an armored warrior.

Mainstream vs. Authentic Identity

Today’s mainstream often leans toward abstract “universal human values.”
But no one has canceled the need to celebrate:

·       courage and nobility,

·       heroism and patriotism,

·       respect for elders,

·       human dignity.

Aldaspan’s mission is to show the world a national musical color that, in structure and rhythm, aligns about 90% with European rock. That makes the band’s music understandable—and potentially close—to listeners worldwide.

The project aims to spark interest in the Eurasian space: its history and cultural heritage.

Today the world is going through a strange metamorphosis:
nomadic peoples became settled, while the industrial world created a new kind of nomadism—millions of people with no fixed place, constantly on the move.

It’s time to sing the nomadic legacy.
It’s time for Nomad Rock.

Forming the First Lineup

While serving as the director of a regional office of the “Galaktika” corporation, Nurzhan Toishy rented office space from building owner Izbasar Buzaev. Starting in 2009, Izbasar Buzaev played a key role in the band’s development, and his early support is hard to overstate. Unfortunately, he tragically died in a car accident in 2012...

He backed the idea itself, helped find the name Aldaspan, provided a rehearsal room for free for several years, and—most importantly—he became the bridge through which Nurzhan connected with the band’s first lineup.

Izbasar Buzaev knew a talented dombra player named Murager Sauranbayev and in 2009 invited him to meet with Nurzhan. After seeing and trying the first electric dombra prototype, Murager admitted his life plans had changed: he decided to keep music as a hobby, pursue a career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and move to Astana.

Nurzhan was disappointed, but Murager recommended his friend Maksat Khasanov—a strong dombra player studying at the conservatory. At Nurzhan’s request, they met, and that meeting became truly historic.

Maksat Khasanov chose to tie his future to Aldaspan. Through him, the first lineup was formed, and all later members joined the band through the same connection.

Aldaspan’s first lineup:

·       Nurzhan Toishy — drums

·       Maksat Khasanov — lead electric dombra

·       Bakhytzhan Zhelderbayev — rhythm electric dombra

·       Shamshaddin Omarov — bass electric dombra

Lineup Changes

·       2014 — Bakhytzhan Zhelderbayev leaves the band due to moving to Astana. Dulat Zhaksylyk takes his place.

·       2015 — drummer Ruslan Alpisov (from the band Zarraza) joins for a period, but later leaves as his musical interests and genres change.

·       2018 — Dulat Zhaksylyk leaves the band due to moving to the United States. Aisarbek Akiyashev replaces him.

That same year, Ernar Kakezhanov joins as the keyboardist.

·       2020 — when Nurzhan Toishy moves to the United States, Miрас Zhunusbekov becomes the band’s drummer.

Current Lineup of Aldaspan

1.   Miras Zhunusbekov — drums

2.   Maksat Khasanov — lead electric dombra

3.   Aisarbek Akiyashev — rhythm electric dombra

4.   Ernar Kakezhanov — keyboards

5.   Shamshaddin Omarov — bass electric dombra, vocals

 

Nurzhan Toyshy is the author of the idea, founder, general producer, and owner of Aldaspan.
He is also an honorary and permanent member of the group, performing as the band’s drummer.