1.Hello Oleh how are things going with you these days?Please introduce yourself to the readers?
Hello, Patrick! Doing pretty well. Busy as hell!
2.When did you first discover metal music and who were the first bands and artists to catch your attention?
I discovered metal when I was a kid. Like 7 years old or so. My uncle was a metalhead. So, sooner or later I was doomed to become a metalhead as well, heh. My first bands (that I still like to listen to) were Metallica, Lake of Tears, and Kiss.
3.when did you discover the black and death metal underground scene?Who were some of the first bands that you listened too?Who are some of the current bands that has caught your attention?
I started to hang out with some badass dudes during my early college days. They got me into some dark shit. Burzum, Mayhem's Deathcrush, Satanic Warmaster - those were my first steps. Nowadays there are tons of black metal bands (so-called). But it happens that you can find some gems among the piles of shit. Recently, I started listening to Surrender of Divinity - badass BM from Thailand. Malokarpatan is a very cool band from Slovakia that deserves more attention. And, of course, Void of Melancholy (and other projects of PJ).
3.when did you discover the black and death metal underground scene?Who were some of the first bands that you listened too?Who are some of the current bands that has caught your attention?
I started to hang out with some badass dudes during my early college days. They got me into some dark shit. Burzum, Mayhem's Deathcrush, Satanic Warmaster - those were my first steps. Nowadays there are tons of black metal bands (so-called). But it happens that you can find some gems among the piles of shit. Recently, I started listening to Surrender of Divinity - badass BM from Thailand. Malokarpatan is a very cool band from Slovakia that deserves more attention. And, of course, Void of Melancholy (and other projects of PJ).
4.When did you first become interested in writing and playing music? What are the instruments that you currently play? Are you self taught or did you take some lessons when first starting out? Are their any instruments that you currently do not play but would like to learn one day?
I started playing guitar like 15 years ago. My father stole the acoustic guitar for me from some dude, haha. One of the first things that I wanted to learn was Raven Land by Lake of Tears. Took me some time though I nailed it. Nowadays I try to play drums when my knee allows me to.
5.Oleh you also handle the vocals for the band when did you first become interested in screaming?Do you do anything special to keep your throat and voice healthy?
I started practicing vocals when I started playing guitar. It was kind of a natural process. I do not do live performances (at least for now), so there's no need to do anything special for my throat. Sit, drink beer, and record.
6.Who some of your all-time favorite musicians and vocalists over the years?
Werwolf (Satanic Warmaster) and Darkthrone (both NC and Fenriz). I think those guys are extremely talented. Even beyond the Black metal.
7.Kuupyr was started in 2021 when did you get the idea to start this band? How did you choose Kuupyr as the name for the band and does it have a special meaning?
I wanted to start something raw that would represent my tastes in 90s Black metal. Early Behemoth, Darkthrone, Beherit, etc. In my Ukrainian veins flows 20% of Finnish blood. So, I came up with the name Kuupyr - a combination of the Finnish Kuu (moon) and Ukrainian Upyr (vampire).
8.Black Forest Path is the debut demo that was released on cd through Blasphemous Creations Of Hell and Plague Demon Rec. when did you first come in contact with these labels?
A few labels contacted me right after the YouTube release. The demo was released on tapes and CDs in Thailand, Poland, and the US.
9.How long did it take to write the music for the debut demo? Where do you draw inspiration for the lyrics on the debut demo?
It was written and recorded in like 2 days. I was full of inspiration. Lyrics were inspired by horror movies and Witcher books by Andrzej Sapkowski.
10.Have you started writing new music for the next demo or would you like to work on a full length release?
Everything is written for the full length. Just need some time to sit down and record it.
11.What does Black Metal mean to you?
It's hard to say, to be honest. Not because I don't know but because it's hard to find words for it. It means a lot. It's an essential part of life. It's the way of life. A philosophy. A life that you live by your own rules.
12.Oleh you also recently started Pohoron when did you first get the idea to start this band? Does the name have a special meaning?
Pohoron means funeral in Ukrainian. It's a project inspired mainly by hatred. In Eastern European countries, there's a big problem with dividing the church from the everyday life of people. My attitude towards it is represented in that project.
13.People Of The Goat is the debut demo that is being released through Born For Burning when will it be released?
It’s out now! (Yeah, it took me some time to answer to this interview, haha)
14.How would you describe Pohoron's musical style? And how would you compare the music between Kuupyr and Pohoron?
Pohoron is about aggression. It leans more towards War Black metal, I would say. While Kuupyr is more traditional Black. Though, I prefer not to divide Black metal into subgenres. If it's Black - it's Black.
15.How long did it take to write the music for this demo? Have you had time to start working on new music for Pohoron's next release?
The demo is just 2 songs. So, it was done pretty fast. Yeah, there are some new ideas for EP or even full-length.
16.I believe both bands are solo projects would you like to work with more musicians for future releases or do you prefer working alone?
I have plans to collaborate with my friends for the future Pohoron release. It could possibly grow into something bigger. We'll see.
17.When you need to take a break from working on music what do you like to do in your free time?
Reading books, collecting vinyl and cassettes, and video games.
18.Thank you Oleh for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the reader's?
Thank you for the amazing questions!
Keep your hearts and souls Black! Kuupyr Contact https://kuupyr.bandcamp.com/ Plague Demon Rec. https://plaguedemonrecords.storenvy.com/ https://plaguedemonrecords.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Plaguedemonrecords.net/ https://www.instagram.com/namtar.axarcuth/?hl=en Blasphemous Creations Of Hell https://bchrecords.storenvy.com/ https://blasphemouscreationsofhellrecords1.bandcamp.com/music https://www.facebook.com/blasphemouscreationsofhellrecords/ https://www.instagram.com/b.c.h.records/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D Born For Burning Prod. {Pohoron demo}
https://bornforburning.bigcartel.com/products
