Good day! How are you guys doing these days?
Everything is great! We just recently came back home from a concert in Kyiv!
First of all, please introduce XENOTRONE and band members to our readers.
We are a trio:
Kostiantyn Roskosenko – vocals, guitar;
Vladyslav Vattghern – bass guitar;
Danylo Soulreaper – drums.
I would like to know about the formation of the band. How did you guys meet and all? Also, is there any special story behind the band title?
The band was formed somewhere between 2020 and 2021, initiated by Kostiantyn Roskosenko. Many musicians have been part of the band, gaining their first experience with us. Now, they play in other interesting projects like Ortum and Meat Emulsion.
As for the name XENOTRONE, it was inspired by Darkthrone and the creatures from the movie Alien – Xenomorph.
I expect a long reply for this one. Can you please tell us about the concept and lyrical themes of all your previous releases?
Our first demo, which included the song Psycho Soldier, was themed around military topics. It’s not surprising, given that our country was already at war at that time. Later, we shifted towards mystical themes, as seen in our EP Queen of the Night. This EP also features references to classical music, such as in its title.
For the album, we explored themes of science fiction and religion. You’ll find titles inspired by astronomy and cosmic ambient elements reminiscent of Blood Incantation. We also drew inspiration from 20th-century literature and films related to these topics.
The one track that slightly deviates from the album's concept is Stone Cross. It’s based on a story by Ukrainian writer Stefanyk and reflects the hardships of the Ukrainian people. This track features guest vocals by Kelly Shaefer from the band Atheist.
Is there any special reason for choosing your music conception?
The main reason for choosing this concept is that it resonates with us. We love movies and stories about science fiction.
How do you guys manage to create music at all? What challenges do you face while writing and recording an album?
Our music always starts with the lyrics. First, we write the text, and then we create the "skeleton" of the song, its structure. After that, we add interesting musical elements – you can’t go without them in this kind of music!
The challenges we’ve faced include Russian shelling, power outages caused by attacks on Ukraine’s energy system, and the overall difficulties of living in a war zone.
Into the Void will be released in 2025. How was the experience working in the studio? Were there any funny or even sad happenings during the studio work?
It was a mixed experience, about 50/50. It was quite challenging to work with the sound engineer, but overall, everything turned out well! During the recording of the album, our previous bassist, Artem Sakiro, left the band, but we were fortunate to gain a very talented bassist, Vladyslav Vattghern.
Can you shed some light on your past as musicians?
XENOTRONE is our first serious project. I’ve known our drummer, Danylo Soulreaper, since we were teenagers. Back then, we used to play covers of Death and Metallica. Both our bassist and drummer also have their own projects: Ancient Crypt and Rote Reiters.
Tell us about your favorite bands from whom you gain inspiration. Do you have any favorite artists/bands that have emerged from the metal/rock scene?
We are inspired by bands like Coroner, Atheist, and Cynic. However, we listen to a wide variety of music, from Watchtower, Children of Bodom, and Nokturnal Mortum to Blood Incantation, M8, and Wintersun. Our influences range from metal to jazz, progressive rock, and classical music.
How is the metal scene going in Ukraine these tough days?
In Ukraine, a lot of interesting bands are emerging in genres like thrash metal and brutal death metal. However, other genres are developing more slowly, with many bands leaning toward pop-oriented styles and imitation.
Are you working on any music videos, whether it be a video clip or a lyric video?
Yes, we plan to release something in 2025.
Rapid-fire section. Just for fun. So just chill and type the first thought that comes to your mind when you hear:
Abyss – darkness
Fracture – crisis
Ethereal – infinite
Echo – madness
Thanks a lot for your time! It's really nice to know more about you. Would you like to say anything to your fans and our readers?
Thank you for listening to us! Quite concise.
Thank you for your questions and this interview!