Recommended bands from Ukraine. Popular bands overseas.

Winter ShadeEDENIAN

Edenian – Winter Shades (Live @ Akuna Matata club, Kharkov, Ukraine, 31.10.2013)

While firmly rooted in a highly fantastical, orthodox gothic metal style, Edenian usually centers on programmed instruments, giving their sound a somewhat lighter touch.

The interplay between female vocals and a raspy male death growl adds a heaviness that somehow conveys a sense of inner turmoil and entanglement.

A band I’d also recommend to fans of darker, depressive aesthetics.

За землю (For the land!)Goverla

Goverla – За землю (For the land!)

Hutsulian pagan metal from Ukraine, Hoverla.

With a raspy growl and a robust, heavy tone, the intensity of the beats definitely has that pagan black vibe.

Here and there are folk—really, strongly ethnic—tones woven in, so you can enjoy it not just as metal but as solid hard rock as well.

It’s like getting two flavors in one.

Solitary Sandpiper JourneyKARFAGEN

K A R F A G E N Solitary Sandpiper Journey (new)

KARFAGEN is a symphonic rock band, and around 2009 when this release came out, they were putting out wonderfully breezy, refreshing tracks like this.

Rather than metal, this song leans heavily toward pop, with a sound that feels like a mix of the then-trendy Scandinavian style and locally popular Eastern European folklore.

If you’re looking for something easy to listen to, this is the band! The chic, airy feel is also a nice touch.

By the way, most of their tracks are instrumentals, with the occasional female vocal.

Гори, Палай!NATURAL SPIRIT

NATURAL SPIRIT – Гори, Палай! / Burn, Blaze! (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

Natural Spirit is a folk metal band formed in 1999.

They are known for folk metal that incorporates traditional ethnic music and for their highly sophisticated melodies.

To put it simply, their sound is similar to that of Arkona, a Russian folk metal band active worldwide.

While folk metal doesn’t have the harshness of death metal, its song structures are grand and will overwhelm you with their power.

Be sure to check them out.

Sita RosaNATURAL SPIRIT

Natural Spirit – Sita Rosa, Live in Kiev, Bingo, 21.10.2011.

With music that feels like a Celtic melody, Natural Spirit is a folk-tinged, metal-style band featuring guitar, pipes, and violin.

You won’t find this music anywhere else in the world—it’s truly robust and powerful.

Just when you think the vocals are going to be a gruff, hard-to-listen-to older-guy tone, beautiful twin female vocals come in midway, and it fits the band perfectly.

БраттяВасиль Жадан

Браття (Гімн Олександра Усика)

Oleksandr Usyk, a Ukrainian hero with exceptional speed, power, technique, and boxing IQ, is one of the strongest heavyweight boxers in the world today and is eager to face Tyson Fury.

The song “Браття” (Brattia, meaning “Brothers”) is his entrance theme.

It’s a striking track featuring a rock sound in a minor key, characteristic of music often heard in Russia and Ukraine.

Be sure to check it out.

Люди, як корабліСкрябiн

Скрябін — Люди як кораблі [Official Video]

Skryabin, often called a “Ukrainian new wave band.” Their music feels stylish and light, and among Eastern European bands they give a relatively bright, breezy impression.

There are fan sites in Japan and even lyrics translation sites, so it seems fun to savor the highly regarded, locally popular lyrics as well.