U Kronakh is a fascinating black/death metal project hailing from Ukraine, founded by Artem “Voidger”. Blending raw intensity with evocative atmospheres, the band delivers a distinctive sound that immediately captures the listener’s attention. Their third full-length album, “Archaic Dance of the Winds”, stands as a compelling work of atmospheric and primordial extreme metal — a creation forged with both passion and vision. Enchanted by the dark, mysterious beauty of U Kronakh’s music, Myth of Rock had the pleasure of speaking with Artem “Voidger” in an in-depth interview.
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
Hello Artem. When and under which circumstances did you start U Kronakh?
Hi. The idea of writing music came about back in 2010. I recorded a few home demos back then—some of the riffs and melodies from those recordings ended up in the first album. U Kronakh itself was founded in early 2020 during the lockdown, when there was a lot of free time and complete isolation.
Why did you baptize this project U Kronakh?
Because I love looking up when I’m in the forest—the project’s name refers to the tree canopies (“krony” in Ukrainian).
You have recently released your new, third album. Which are your feelings about it?
I’m completely satisfied with the result. It finally sounds and looks the way I wanted and planned.
How much have you progressed with this new album, in comparison with your previous album?
The difference is quite big, and in a good way. However, purely musically, I wouldn’t say the previous album is much worse—it just has a completely different sound and a completely different vocal approach.
What does the title “Archaic Dance of The Winds” signify to you personally and how does it connect to the music within?
It’s part of a line from a song that became the album title: “Archaic dance of the winds, which has lasted since the beginning of time, will witness the death of life.”
These lyrics are a metaphor reminding us of the insignificance of our existence amid the vastness of the Universe and the geological epochs of Earth, where humanity scurries about in its wars and “very important” matters. As a member of this species, I’m also curious about what happened with past generations, so the lyrics describe certain events against the backdrop of such immense scales.
Where was the new album recorded, who did the production, the mixing and the mastering?
I recorded the guitars and bass at home in my city. Vitalii recorded the vocals at home too, but in another part of the country. Drums were recorded at a studio in Zdolbuniv. So everything was done in different cities. The mixing and mastering were done by Roman “Morvudd” Sapozhnikov at Black Dwell Records.
Are you the only one responsible for the music and lyrics of the new album? Where do you get inspiration from?
Yes, everything was written by one person, but the vocalist and drummer recorded their parts by adding something of their own and improving the material.
Inspiration came during hikes in the mountains or visits to historical places—those are the moments when you want to reflect and create, to describe what you’ve seen.
How would you define the music style of U Kronakh?
The roots of the project’s music style lie deep in black metal, but sometimes death metal and other elements come to the fore—ones I just enjoy playing or hearing in other genres.
The Carpathian mountains clearly play a central role in your lyrical and aesthetic identity. What is your personal connection to this region and what mysticism do you find there?
The value of those places lies first and foremost in the purity of nature and the beauty that is relatively untouched by human activity. There’s peace there and a plunge into thoughts that later pour into creativity. Among the city concrete, that doesn’t exist. These may sound like clichés, but that’s the reality. As for the region—I grew up in the central part of the country, where plains, steppes, and forests dominate. That area also has its own vibe and history.
Can you walk us through your compositional process? How does a U Kronakh track typically begin—from riff, atmosphere or lyrical idea?
It starts with a riff. If I can’t record it properly right away, I record it on a voice memo. Sometimes the riffs sound in my head and I have to hum them into the same recorder—quietly, so no one hears 😁 Then it builds with other riffs and develops from there.
Vitalii “Wormwood” makes his presence felt powerfully on vocals. How did this collaboration come about and what did he bring to the creative process that was previously absent?
Yes, he really delivered the exact kind of vocals that were needed—it sounded exactly right. Not all types of vocals work with U Kronakh’s music, so he selected and used styles that sounded harmonious. He also really felt the lyrics and conveyed the right emotions. The collaboration happened very simply—I made the offer, we tried it, recorded it, and it worked out great.
One of the most crucial aspects of your sound is the atmosphere that your music creates. Do you agree with me? If yes, how would you describe the atmosphere of your songs?
Absolutely, atmosphere is very important. So is the emotional component that overlays that atmosphere. I never enjoyed albums where the atmosphere and emotions remain the same across all tracks—no contrast, no mood shifts. That kind of music becomes boring quickly, with only a few exceptions. So in my music, I try to combine a palette from “gritted teeth” to melancholy—how well that works is up to the listener.
U Kronakh is a one-man project—do you view this as a necessity for maintaining your vision or would you ever consider evolving into a full band for future works and/or live performances?
In theory—and understanding how everything can change in life—that possibility exists. But the idea of how the project should be realized has remained the same since 2010. And to this day, I haven’t had even the slightest desire to go on stage.
If you had the opportunity to collaborate with a famous musician in a future album of U Kronakh, who would you choose?
Nils “Dominator” Fjellström.
The Ukrainian extreme metal scene is blooming in both quality and depth. How do you see U Kronakh’s place within this cultural and artistic resurgence?
I don’t consider U Kronakh to be anything important or significant for the Ukrainian metal scene. There are many interesting and not-so-interesting bands and projects here, and only time will show what place this project might occupy.
How has the war against Ukraine affected you as a musician?
I didn’t pick up a guitar for almost two years. Even now, I don’t really feel much desire to do anything, as the events around us aren’t very inspiring.
What was the most challenging in creating “Archaic Dance of The Winds”—the musical part, the technical part or the emotional one?
Actually, nothing was difficult during the creation process at that time. Everything was written quickly—I could barely keep up with the ideas. But afterward, there was a full year of waiting for what other people had to do, which was out of my control, and then another year of searching for a label.
What do you hope listeners feel, see or experience when they surrender to the winds and enter the shadowy realm of U Kronakh?
I think each person has their own unique feelings, as this is all very individual. But if they feel or experience anything at all while listening—then it wasn’t all in vain.
What are your ambitions for U Kronakh?
I want to create at least a dozen great albums. Everything else—time will tell. Right now, it’s hard to answer this question, especially considering the circumstances.
Send your message to the readers!
Listen to U Kronakh, share and spread the music if you can—an active and living audience gives life to the project. And feedback is always welcome. Hear you soon.
