In this week’s Meet The Band spotlight are the Ukrainian dark symphonic group Thy Despair. The Song Of Desolation is their full-length debut.
Chad Bowar: Give us a brief history of Thy Despair.
Thy Despair band was formed in 2006 and played its gloomy metal in Ukrainian clubs. Due to frequent problems with the lineup, it collapsed in 2011. A new page of the band’s history started in 2017 with new lineup and material. Thy Despair started with recording EP album called The Free One. It was released on May 16th, 2018 in two languages: English and Ukrainian. 2018-2019 Thy Despair played lots of shows in small clubs and Ukrainian open-air festivals. In May of 2019 the band released a tribute to Game of Thrones main theme on YouTube with authorial sympho dark metal music, lyrics, and epic video. At the beginning of 2020 the album called The Song of Desolation was finished and Thy Despair has signed a license agreement with the Rockshots Records label.
Describe the songwriting process for The Song Of Desolation.
As a principle we took old songs of the band which were written in 2006-2011 and revamped them with more modern and professional arrangements. Most of the lyrics were changed as well.
What is your strongest memory of the recording of the album?
This was our first full album recording experience and we liked it. The process took more than a year and we want to thank our sound producer and QWERTY Records for patience and professional work.
How would you characterize its style/sound?
Music of Thy Despair is a mix of gothic, black, doom and melodic death metal. We call it dark symphonic metal as it describes our style in the best way.
What lyrical subjects do you cover?
Lyrics of some songs (“The Free One,” “War,” “Falcon”) are strongly influenced by the war in Eastern Ukraine. Other songs cover local legends and life experiences.
How did you come to sign with Rockshots Records?
We wrote them an email with one of our songs and received the answer: “Very interesting, absolutely killer stuff! Really impressed by the quality and the style!”
That’s how our cooperation started.
What are your goals and expectations for the album?
We want more people to hear our music and make the name of Thy Despair become known not only in Ukrainian underground but all over the world.
What has been your most memorable Thy Despair live show?
All our shows are filled with a gloomy romantic atmosphere which we all like.
When do you anticipate being able to play shows again?
As soon as the quarantine is over. We miss live shows so much.
How as the coronavirus pandemic affected Ukraine?
Pretty much, as well as other countries. The world won’t be the same again.
How did you get started in music?
I started playing guitar in a school rock band and continued playing heavy music during the last 20 years.
Who were your early influences and inspirations?
Tristania, Sins of Thy Beloved, Sirenia, Epica, Nightwish
What was the first metal concert you attended?
Behemoth in Kyiv (2004)
What’s currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Insomnium, Barren Earth, Wolfheart, Before The Dawn, Dark the Suns
Anything else you’d like to mention or promote?
Stay healthy and support Thy Despair!
(interview published May 9, 2020)
