Holy Blood (band)
Ukrainian Christian folk metal band formed in 1999.
Holy Blood is a folk metal band from Kyiv, Ukraine, that started in October 1999. They stand out as one of the few Christian acts in their genre and are the most successful group on their label, Bombworks Records. Though they operate as an underground band, they have attracted notice around the world. Their discography includes six full-length albums: *The Wanderer*, *Waves Are Dancing*, *The Patriot*, *Shining Sun*, *Day of Vengeance*, and *Voice of Blood*.
The band originally played hardcore punk, with members Fedir Buzylevych (guitar, vocals), Dmytro Tytorenko (drums), and Mykhailo Rodionov (bass). In 2000, they shifted to deathgrind, and after a lineup change in 2001—adding guitarist Oleksiy Furman, keyboardist Vira Kniazeva, and bassist Yevhen Tsesarev—they moved into melodic death metal. Their first album, *The Wanderer*, came out in 2002 on a small local label. By mid-2002, Furman had left, replaced by Artem Stupak, and the band adopted a folk death-black metal style, with Buzylevych playing recorder.
Rodionov left in 2003, replaced by Serhiy Nahornyi, and Stupak focused on his own project, leaving Buzylevych as rhythm guitarist. Later in 2003, Tsesarev was replaced by Oleksiy Andrushenko. In 2004, the band appeared on a compilation of Ukrainian Christian metal bands. They shot their first music video, "The Spring," in April 2004, launched a website, and saw their popularity grow outside Ukraine. Bombworks Records signed them and re-released *The Wanderer* internationally. Their second album, *Waves Are Dancing*, came out in 2005. Keyboardist Kniazeva left that July, replaced by Volodyslav Malytskyi, and in October, Viacheslav Kirishyn joined on bagpipe and flute. Kirishyn left in June 2006. The band played festivals in Switzerland and Finland that year. Their third album, *The Patriot*, was released in July 2008, and *The Wanderer* was re-released by a Russian label with new artwork.
In late 2008, all members except Buzylevych left to form a new band, Oskord. Buzylevych continued Holy Blood with new members, including his wife Vira, who had been in the band from 2001 to 2005. Their fourth album, *Shining Sun*, was completed in early 2010, blending folk metal with melodic metalcore and hardcore elements. Further lineup changes followed in 2011 and 2012. In December 2013, the band announced they were working on a new album. By February 2014, another
- formed
- October 1999
- origin
- Kyiv, Ukraine
- genre
- Folk metal with death and black metal elements
- label
- Bombworks Records
- years_active
- 1999–present
- notable_for
- One of the few Christian bands in folk metal; most successful group on Bombworks Records
Lore & Background
Holy Blood was formed in October 1999 by guitarist-vocalist Fedir Buzylevych, drummer Dmytro Tytorenko, and bassist Mykhailo Rodionov, initially playing hardcore punk. After a style change to deathgrind in 2000, the band added new members in 2001 and shifted to melodic death metal, recording their first album. The band's debut, The Wanderer, was released in 2002 by local label Core Zone, and the band's style evolved into folk death-black metal, with Buzylevych incorporating recorder. Lineup changes continued through the 2000s, including the departure of guitarist Oleksiy Furman and the arrival of Artem Stupak, and later Serhiy Nahornyi. In 2004, Holy Blood signed with Texas-based Bombworks Records, which released The Wanderer internationally and later the second album, Waves Are Dancing, in 2005. The band played concerts in Belarus, Switzerland, and Finland, and shot music videos for songs like 'The Spring' and the title track from The Patriot (2008).
Reader's Guide
Holy Blood's significance lies in its unique position as a Christian folk metal band from Ukraine, blending Ukrainian folk traditions and Celtic music with death and black metal elements. The band's use of ethnic instruments such as blockflute and bagpipe, along with high-pitched shrieking vocals and folk choirs, distinguishes their sound. Their lyrical themes revolve around Christian faith, heaven, and God. Despite being an underground group, Holy Blood achieved international recognition, particularly through Bombworks Records, and influenced the Christian metal scene. The band's frequent lineup changes, with Fedir Buzylevych as the sole constant member, reflect a persistent creative drive. Their discography shows stylistic evolution from hardcore punk to folk death-black metal and later incorporating melodic metalcore and hardcore elements. The band's legacy includes being one of the few Christian acts in folk metal and maintaining a dedicated following across multiple continents.
Did You Know?
- Holy Blood was formed in October 1999 and originally played hardcore punk.
- The band's first album, The Wanderer, was released in 2002 by a local label called Core Zone.
- Holy Blood is the most successful group on its label, Bombworks Records.
- The band's sixth studio album, Voice of Blood, was released on February 15, 2019.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Holy Blood (band)?
Holy Blood is a Ukrainian folk metal group that formed in Kyiv in October 1999, blending death and black metal elements into their sound. The lineup includes Fedir Buzylevych on guitar and vocals, Dmytro Tytorenko on drums, and Mykhailo Rodiono.
What makes Holy Blood (band) stand out in the folk metal scene?
They are one of the very few explicitly Christian acts operating within the folk metal genre. Despite remaining an underground project, they have managed to draw attention from listeners around the globe.
What albums has Holy Blood (band) released?
The band has put out six full-length records spanning from *The Wanderer* through *Voice of Blood*. Their discography also includes *Waves Are Dancing*, *The Patriot*, *Shining Sun*, and *Day of Vengeance*.
What label is Holy Blood (band) signed to?
They release their music through Bombworks Records, where they hold the distinction of being the label's most successful act. The group has been active since 1999 and continues to operate as an independent, underground outfit.
Did Holy Blood (band) always play folk metal?
No — the group originally started out in the hardcore punk scene before evolving into their current folk metal style with death and black metal influences. They have been creating music continuously since their formation in late 1999.
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