10 significant bands in Ukrainian black metal

It`s not a secret that Ukrainian black metal reached high popularity within hard scene of the world as our collectives managed to occupy separate place in genre. Bands of our motherland are signed on foreign labels, perform abroad and have fans among the whole world.

We propose you to explore how this did happened and to know who laid the foundation of it and continues to engrave their names in the world history of black metal. On the example of ten Ukrainian bands which influenced this scene the most, we will take an excursus to black metal universe of our country – from the very beginning until now. So take your glass of dark beer or the cup of black tea and let’s dive into the mystery metal and its old VHS-recordings.

Our list is not the top one, so the bands are mentioned by the year of creation.

NOKTURNAL MORTUM

Let’s start with the Kharkiv based band without which this article is hard to imagine – Nokturnal Mortum. Their cassettes exactly were available in Ukraine of 90s and their contract with the American label in 1998th(!) was a real sensation in the underground scene of CIS, it has opened the doors to sharing Ukrainian black metal worldwide, popularizing it.

Musicians consider 1991st as the year of their creation, although their precise form and stylistic direction Nokturnal Mortum (back then it was "C" instead of "K") got a bit later – in the 1994th only. This is the time when old mates from death metal past Knjaz Varggoth (guitar, vocals), Munruthel (drums), Sataroth (keyboards), Wortherax (guitar) and Xaarquath (bass) concentrate on the new project, starting to work on their first demo "Twilightfall" that was released next 1995th year. Stylistically the recording was not black metal as we used to understand it, though it already had then those elements of the Ukrainian melodic which soon will be the bands’ key and will influence next generations of musicians.

Then the band progressively evolves, releasing their debut album "Lunar Poetry" on Russian label MetalAgen Records which gives the opportunity for the band to share their art with the past CIS and to play two first performances beyond Ukraine. One year later Polish label Morbid Noizz Records releases the "Lunar Poetry" cassette for the European market.

Singing contract with the American label The End Records became unbelievable occasion. Label cooperates with the famous distributor Nuclear Blast and releases "Goat Horns" album in CD format. And all this takes place in the 1998th! Furthermore, Knjaz Varggoth established his own label Oriana Productions that year and by this pushed more active distribution of the band’ cassettes in Ukraine.

The early activity is considered to be NSBM, though in 2014th the collective separates itself from such a tag in various interviews. Musical part of Nokturnal Mortum have seen different times – from tough black metal in "Нехрист" ("Infidel") (1999) to symphonic black/pagan in first and future releases. Owing to permanent experiments and usage of many ethnical Ukrainian instruments the collective sounds differently with each album, simultaneously their recognizable firm sound remains as well. For now the band has 7 full-format albums and a few EPs, splits, anthologies and concert albums.

Despite of its changing membership, the band travels by Europe and still plays on Ukrainian festivals.

Talking about genre’s fundament in Ukraine, it should be said that bands who play black metal appear not only in Kharkiv of mid 90s. Different formations are created in many corners of our country – there are Lucifugum in Zhytomyr who continues the traditions of black, Paganland in Lviv which uses pagan traditions as their base, Semargl in Kyiv who’s first albums combine death and black metal. Bands also formed in other cities if to believe MetalArchives, bands playing close to black metal stylistically appeared even earlier, but their geography is too wide to be captured in this article. So let’s take excursus on the most significant and influential of them.

LUCIFUGUM

This Zhytomyr black metal collective was formed in 1995th by Faunus (vocals), Bal-a-Myth (guitar, bass) and band manager Ihor Naumchuk (Hlyst) who took part in the material creation.

In 1996th their first demo "The Kingdom Sorrow… Behind The Northern Wind" was released. There were keyboards used in the recording what brings special atmosphere to black metal of Lucifugum.

It is one of a few bands that played lots of concerts in those times for what it got such popularity in Ukraine, also it recorded videoclips back then which are still possible to find on the internet.

First releases of the band – raw black metal with the keyboards, which sends us together with the satanic thematic to the classical Norwegian genre roots.

Lucifugum with Nokturnal Mortum have recorded split called "Path Of The Wolf & Return Of The Vampire Lord" (1996) and performed together on the first festival "Коловорот" ("Wimble"). This festival was center for the pagan and metal Ukrainian scenes, many bands’ concerts took place within it: Reusmarkt, Runes of Dianceht, Dub Buk, Astrofaes, Hate Forest and others.

In 2002 Bal-a-Myth dies, and vocalist Faunus leaves the band. A bit later Hlyst moves to Mykolayiv and continues band’s activity with his wife Stabaath, though their popularity will no more be as was before. Lucifugum still exists in the same membership and continues to release albums. Their last release under the name "Infernalistica" came out in June of 2018th.

HATE FOREST

Kharkiv is called "the cradle of Ukrainian black metal" for a reason, because 1995th is the year of one more prominent band creation – Hate Forest. The project was formed by Roman Sajenko (vocals/guitar/bass) and Thurios (vocals/guitar) – both are now the members of Drudkh and Rattenfanger. First demo "Scythia" came out in 1999th. Raw black metal with lyrics in English was the music base for Hate Forest, some releases also had ambient elements.

Band managed to play two concerts on thematic festivals (including Kolovorot Fest), to record and release 4 studio albums and big number of Eps, anthologies and splits which continued to come out for some time after their existence stopped in 2004.

This year fans had a unique opportunity to see and to hear legendary band’s reunion on scene – Hate Forest gave the only (from the moment of breakup) performance in June, on the Нове Коло (New Circle) festival in Kharkiv.

ASTROFAES

Astrofaes was created by Thurios (guitar/vocals) and Khorus (bass) in 1996th in Kharkiv, again. Soon the band’s membership was widened by Dalver`a (vocals) and collective has released live demo "The Attraction: Heavens & Earth (live)" which was recorded during one of their concerts. Drum-machine was used instead of percussion. Stylistically this release was performed in sympho black metal genre and gave the chance to estimate band’s creative potential.

In autumn of 1997th their second but for this time studio demo "The Attraction: Heavens & Earth" and one year later full-format album "Dying Emotions Domain" comes out, which was rereleased on Czech PUSSY GOD Rec. "Dying Emotions Domain" was "angrier" and faster than previous releases. Each composition of Astrofaes is filled with atmosphere of old and almighty nature, of endless Universe.

For all time of collective’s existence its members changed for many times, nevertheless there are 8 full-format albums in Astrofaes discography, "Shu-Nun" EP and concert DVD "Live Hate" that consists of performances video from Kyiv, Moscow and Minsk.

Band didn’t officially announce about the breakup but mentioned "Shu-Nun" (2008) and anthology "Knowing No Down" (2015) became its last releases. For now Thurios together with Krechet (ex-bass of Astrofaes) are the members of Drudkh та Rattenfanger, Khaoth is responsible for drums in Khors and new superband Necrom, Amorth (who also played drums in the collective) have been the drummer for SOOM until they disbanded.

DUB BUK

This NSBM collective was formed in Kharkiv and presented its first demo "Місяць помсти" ("Moon of Revenge") in 1997th. Lyrics of Dub Buk are dedicated to antijudaism and antichristian themes, appeal to Slavic paganism. In general for three years of activity only band released four full-format and played in several cities of Ukraine and on different festivals, including Kolovorot Fest.

The last concert has happened on Повстанець ("Insurrectionist") festival in 2015th after what Dub Buk disbanded. The same year band’s members created new project called Burshtyn that has 2 albums in its discography – "Прах відчайдухів" ("Lashes of despaired") (2016) and "Безвірник" ("Faithless") (2017).

ЛЮТОМИСЛ (LYUTOMYSL)

This project is totally studio one and was created under the name Profane Solitude in 2001st, having changed its name to Лютомисл in 2002. The only member of this band is Pavlo Shishkovskij who records almost all the instruments by himself. For percussion recording he usually invites session musicians although lately Yurii Sinitskiy permanently helps him with that.

Stylistically the author is not connected to any of genres and pretends his project to be Jet Black Metal Art.

There were 9 albums released within Лютомисл, last of them "Ecce Homo" saw the world last year and is Ukrainian-speaking (earlier it was Russian reigning in lyrics). Album came out on French label Drakkar Records, read our interview for details.

DRUDKH

Popularity of this band got so high that even Pitchfork wrote about it and geography of its listeners unites different corners of our planet.

Atmospheric black metal project Drudkh was born in Kharkiv in 2003, thanks to already mentioned Roman Sayenko (Hate Forest) – guitar, bass, and Thurios from Astrofaes – vocals, keyboards. Same year their first album "Forgotten Legends" comes out, lyrics of which are dedicated to nature.

The next album "Autumn Aurora" was released in 2004th and is still considered to be classic of atmospheric black metal. Amorth (Astrofaes) joins the band as the drummer with which band recorded two more albums.

The third release was called "Лебединий шлях" ("The Swan Road"). Album was mostly built on Taras Shevchenko poem "Haidamaki" and the band will appeal to Ukrainian authors’ heritage many times what will become their feature.

In 2006th the band changes its membership – Vlad (drums and keyboards) takes Amorth’s place in band, also Krechet (bass and keyboards) joins the collective. In this membership exactly Drudkh still exists.

In 2009 cooperation between famous French label Season Of Mist and band starts, "Microcomos" album comes out on it.
Additionally "Пригорща зірок" ("Handful of Stars") album should be noted, Drudkh separates from its usual sound in it to make an accent on blackgaze and post-rock part.

Now collective has 11 full-format albums released, some EPs and splits. The last album "Їм часто сниться капіж" ("They Often See Dreams About the Spring") came out last year and is dedicated to "those who’s souls were drunk by eternal night" – the victims of Ukrainian Executed Renaissance. The band is totally studio one – musicians don’t give the concerts or interviews.

KRODA

Kroda was formed in Dnipro in March of 2003 by two musicians – Eisenslav and Viterzgir. Their debut album "Поплач мені, Річко…" ("Cry me, River…") was recorded the same time and a year later came out on cassettes and CDs thanks to German label Hammermark Art with which band cooperated till the 2010. Musicians explain their style as HelCarpathian Black Metal, lyrics are dedicated to nature, history and antichristianism. Later band will be based in Lviv.

In 2007 members recruit the musicians for the concert performing and perform for the first time, after what band’s concert activity begins, it still embraces different points of the geographic map.

In 2010 Viterzgir leaves the band because of certain disagreements so collective’s membership changes. Label changes also – band starts working with Purity Through Fire. There is not only one change of members in band’s future, but still it doesn’t stop musicians from continuing their way and cheering listeners up with their releases and live performances. Due to big number of concerts (equating to other black metal bands) some concert DVDs and live albums have saw the world. For now band is presented by 8 numbered albums last of which called "Selbstwelt" came out last year.

KLADOVEST

The Dnipro project Kladovest was formed in 2004th and was the result of international collaboration: Radalf, the vocalist (Hyperborean Desire, Nemesis, Mramor, Realm Of Algol), is from Czech, Dmytro К. (all instruments) and Oleksandr A. (lyrics author and covers decorator).

In 2006 their debut full-format album "Kladovest" came out on cassettes on Stuza Productions label. Band presents its vision on atmospheric depressive black metal by it.

For two next albums’ recording "Escape In Melancholy" (2009) and "Atmosphere" (2011) Dmytro invites familiar Thurios (Astrofaes, Blood Of Kingu, Drudkh, Hate Forest) as the vocalist, because his voice helps the composition to achieve needed atmosphere.
Two more albums of Kladovest saw the world after this – "Winterwards" (2014) and "Ignitiate" (2016), where Gjenfard’s vocals can be heard.

The collective disbanded in 2017, having played their first and only live concert at last, which took place on Holy Death Over Kyiv festival.

KHORS

August of 2004 is used to be birthday date of a new band Khors. Khorus (also the bassist of KZOHH) left Astrofaes in order to create his own band. Khaoth (ex- Hate Forest, ex- Astrofaes, Tessaract) was invited to it as the drummer. In autumn a new member joined the collective – Helg from Runes Of Diancent as the guitarist/vocalist, and in the end of the year their debut album recording have started on Audio Alchemia studio.

Working on debut album "The Flame of Eternity’s Decline" recording was over in the beginning of 2005. Keyboards part of the album were recorded by Saturious from Nokturnal Mortum, Finist, and solo guitar was recorded by Wortherax (ex- Nokturnal Mortum, Twilightfall). Mixing and mastering of the album were on Mykhaylo "Maiden" Smirnov from the Moscow Buddha Cat studio. Album came out in April of 2005 on Oriana Music. Autumn of the same year has brought new guitarist to the band – it was Nort from Nagual with whom their concert activity has begun.

First band’s albums had English-spoken lyrics, but their native language appears on last releases. Lyrics of Khors chant Ukrainian history, nature and mysticism.

The band actively tours in Ukraine and beyond it and their fame is powered by 6 full-format albums.

Their current membership is: Khorus (KZOHH) – bass, Khaoth (also is Necrom member) – drums, Helg (KZOHH, Ulverg) – guitar, vocals and Jurgis (Nokturnal Mortum) – vocals, guitar. Last band’s work "За межами тваринного" ("Beyond The Bestial") EP was released in 2018 and consists of 6 tracks: three new and three old ones which got new arrangement.

Finally, it should be said that besides this list there could be many more interesting Ukrainian black metal bands recommended, though there is such number of them, that it’s hard not to offend someone. But to know more about black metal genre formation and evolving, you are to read our article Black Metal: history and evolution of the genre.

This material had the intent to capture different historical directions of the bands in genre, also we hope that this article will make readers interested in exploring something new.

This article is part of a series of materials on the development of various underground musical genres in Ukraine. Early in the series:

https://www.neformat.com.ua/rubrika/10-znakovih-gurtiv