Out NOW
Words by: Arlena Laessaari
Ukrainian electro-gothic rock outfit Metameria has just released their third full length album, Electro Romantic. Since forming in Kherson in 2015, the project has evolved significantly. Driven by vocalist and multi instrumentalist Ihor Salivanov, the band has recently transitioned into a studio project following his relocation to the United Kingdom. Recorded over several years across Ukraine, Spain, and the UK, this new record is a deeply personal reflection on the trials of recent years and the ways war has reshaped everyday reality.
For the first time in the band’s history, all lyrics are written and delivered in Ukrainian. Even for listeners who do not speak the language, this decision works brilliantly. The phonetic and rhythmic characteristics of Slavic languages with their distinct palatalisations and sibilants naturally complement the melancholic aesthetics of gothic music. Much like the post-punk brilliance of Belarusian band Molchat Doma, the language itself becomes an instrument, acting as a necessary and honest voice for the era.
Electro Romantica lives up to its name by offering a great mix of genres. The industrial and darkwave synth beats are very clear, but it is the inclusion of gloomy, heavy guitars that gives the record an extra twist that darkwave does not incorporate. Because Ihor recorded the album almost entirely on his own while moving across Europe, the atmosphere shifts depending on the track. Some moments, like Transformatsiia Idealiv, feel incredibly isolated and brooding, while others, such as Totalitarnyi Morok, manage to sound massive and expansive.
The lead single, Khvori Uiavy, is the centerpiece for the album’s themes. It begins with an ominous, doomy atmosphere before taking an aggressive turn into a heavy electro-industrial sound. It holds onto that heavy vibe until it finishes with an isolated guitar solo that acts as a fantastic emotional release.
After journeying through themes of sorrow and human suffering, the album wraps up with something completely unexpected. The final track, Dva Zhyttia (Instrumental Remix), breaks away from the darkness with an upbeat, 2D galactic video-game feel. It is a dose of electro Euro-pop that leaves the listener on a surprisingly happy, danceable note after such a heavy journey. Ultimately, Electro Romantica is a dark, heart piercing record that proves Metameria’s sound is only getting stronger.
