Floscule combines black metal, crust, and post-metal with deep Ukrainian cultural roots. In this interview, we explore their unique blend of genres, historical influences, and the impact of the ongoing war on their music.
1. Floscule
blends black metal with crust, hardcore, and post-metal elements. How did you
decide to bring these genres together, and what inspired your sound?
Serhii: I like hardcore, beatdown hardcore, powerviolence, crust, and neocrust.
I like bands like Knocked Loose, Terror, Comeback Kid, Martyrdod, Masakari,
Portrait Of Guilt, Nails, ACxDC, Full Of Hell, Jesus Piece, Nasty, Xibalba,
Svalbard, Totem Skin, etc. Considering that I wrote the music for this album I
think these bands have some influence on this album’s music. I had no certain
plans to combine any styles. I made music the way I felt it.
2. Your music draws heavily from Ukraine’s cultural heritage, including
songs like "A Tree of Life," which reimagines a 17th-century
Ukrainian patriotic march. Can you talk about how Ukrainian history and
tradition influence your music?
Andrii: It's less about a direct sequence of influences passed down through
generations and more about rediscovering our roots and rethinking our heritage.
We can't say that our music is directly linked to Ukrainian history and
culture, but it's certainly inspired by them, especially in terms of the
"Tree of Life" and the visuals. As Serhii mentioned, Floscule was
initially influenced by many Western bands. However, we exist in a unique time
frame where Russia’s war against Ukraine has changed us forever. Through our
music, we aim to promote and emphasize that, above all, we are a Ukrainian
band, despite the influences from abroad.
Anton: Ukrainian history and tradition has the biggest influence on us, as
people, in the first place. Learning about our past, our present molds us. And
of course its impact is present in the art we are making, as well as in the
answers provided.
There is an old Ukrainian saying, it goes something like this: “Learn from
foreign, but be not ashamed of your native”. And that’s what we try to do here.
Combine contemporary music we enjoy, composed with contemporary tools, to tell
a timeless story about what we see in our past and present.
The song "Oi u Luzi Chervona Kalyna" (Oh, the Red Viburnum in the
Meadow) got it’s fresh wave after the beginning of 2022 Russian invasion,
before that it was a song for Ukrainian Sichovi Striltisi (Sich riflemen) during
Ukraine’s independence struggles of 1917-1921. And its history goes back to the
cossacks of Bohdan Khmelnytsky’s uprising in the XVII century. So the song went
through 300+ years of Ukrainian attempts to gain independence. And the symbol
of the Viburnum tree goes even further than that. And will be discussed in a
later answer.
3. "A Tree of Life" is a powerful track, both musically and
symbolically, especially considering its modern context. What was your creative
process in reworking "Oi u Luzi Chervona Kalyna" into a black metal
anthem?
Serhii: At the beginning of the russian full-scale invasion, a video of Andrii
Khlyvniuk (singer of Boombox band) appeared on the socials, in which he sang
this song in an empty capital of Ukraine (https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cae5TydPAxh/). Since then, it has sounded in my
head every day on repeat, and it has given me strength. SoI decided to make my
version of this song
Anton: The “Tree of Life” was the first song of the band, so it etched the
creative process. As all members are spread out across the country - remote
collaboration was the only option. Serhii provided a demo gp5 file of the song
structure and ideas for the song. I recorded a demo with available guitars,
bass and programmed drums. And with this demo, all the other band mates took
their respective instruments, and wrote their parts. Drums, guitars, bass and
both vocals were recorded separately, each on their own merits. And this was a
general creative process for the rest of the tracks. When all the parts for all
songs on the album were recorded and arranged, we sent them to the
mixing/mastering engineer.
4. Ukraine has faced incredible challenges in recent years, particularly
with the ongoing war. How has the current political situation affected
Floscule's music and lyrics?
Andrii: All the album’s lyrics are influenced by the war. When I write —
whether it's lyrics or music — I pour in all the emotions and feelings that are
weighing on me at that moment. While the words in the songs don’t directly
reference the war, its imprint is undeniably there. However, the lyrics are
quite abstract, allowing others to interpret and find their own meaning in
them.
Anton: I think the 2 big things that follow humanity throughout history
hand-in-hand – plagues and wars. To quote Nicholas Christakis in one of Star
Talk’s podcasts: “Plagues are in the Bible, they are in Homer’s Iliad, one of
the canonical works of western fiction – starts with a plague. They are in
Shakespear, they are in Cervantes…”. Illiad – Trojan War. Shakespeare – Anglo-Spanish
war. Cervantes – Ottoman-Habsburg war. WW1 – Spanish Flu, WW2 – Typhus. And we
might just be at the brink of a new cycle. After a global pandemic – would it
be a surprise if something really big and bad might just be lurking around the
corner?
Political situations, both local and global, affect our day-to-day lives in so
many ways, and beyond our capabilities to do something about it. One of the
last things available, in this dire situation, is to write some music, create
some art and talk about it…
a bit depressing and heated paragraph
(There is no certainty that any of us will be alive or well in the next year or
two. Two and a half years had their toll on everyone. Every Ukrainian lost many
thousands of compatriots, friends, close ones, loved ones, livelihood and so
many more. So many stories, told and untold, of tragedy and suffering, and
rarely lack thereof. Sometimes in some places being late at work, planning the
birthday party of your superior, walking your dog, going to a mall, buying medicine
can get your body vaporized by a cluster bomb, or change your life forever in
many unpleasant and unimaginable ways. And this is a reality. And you need to
continue to live in it, find how to avoid all that, and find some time,
preferably without problems with electricity and heating(if you have such
opportunity) and do what you do, and maybe also write some music.)
5. Your debut album, Ї, weaves together old Ukrainian traditions and modern metal. Could you tell us more about the themes and messages you explore on this album?
Andrii: From my perspective, the album explores two main themes. First, it’s a tribute to the bravery of those fighting for our freedom right now—many of the lyrics were written with these people in mind. Second, it is a reflection of the dark times ahead. Even though the war is happening here in Ukraine, it feels like other countries will soon face their own hardships. What’s happening here is just a part of a much larger, more complex crisis that is growing stronger.
Anton: One of the themes, woven into the fabric of the album: History comes in circles. One must learn its lessons, or be doomed to repeat it. As a continuation – exploring your roots. A tree, cut from its roots, will fade, no matter how beautiful and strong it was on the outside.
One of the legends says that once upon a time a Ukrainian village was under a Tatar raid. One girl saw the raiders and warned the townsfolk. Men gave a tough fight, but were outnumbered. Raiders found out that girl rallied townsfolk for a defense, found her and beheaded her. But where her blood was spilled – a viburnum tree grew. As a symbol of courage, resilience and standing up against a threat. To remember the struggle of those, who are no longer with us, and to pass their torch of virtue to the next generations. Now the 2022 Russian invasion took many lives of brave Ukrainian men and women, so this legend is still relevant today, as well as its message. Stand up for the right thing to do, even against overwhelming odds. (even if it means your certain death)
Another legend says about a cossack. He was fatally wounded after a battle, so he gathered his friends and asked them to bury him in a plain field, and plant a viburnum tree on his grave. When the tree blossoms – it will provide food for the surrounding birds, so the birds could bring the news to him about his loved ones to the underworld. So once again, the tree is a symbol of a rebirth, metamorphosis, a bridge between dead and living.
In our modern world there are talks about new and eco-friendly burial techniques – capsule Mundi, mushroom burial suit. But the underlying concept behind them is abundantly present in Ukrainian Viburnum folklore.
All Viburnum legends have a common theme – people dying and turning into a tree. One might argue that beneath the symbolism they tell a story about an impact that people leave after they are gone from this world. When you do righteous deeds, or live a caring life – they have an impact on this world, in the form of a tree – a living monument of your achievements, contribution to this world, and a continuation of life.
6. Floscule features members from well-known Ukrainian bands like White Ward, Silvern, and Obrij. How does the experience from these different projects shape the dynamics within Floscule?
Andrii: Floscule brings together members from different bands, each carrying their unique experiences, and, of course, limitations and tensions. This diverse background adds depth to our sound, blending influences from various genres and approaches. While we draw on what we've learned from our previous projects, Floscule stands apart, allowing us to explore new creative paths as a unified force.
Anton: There is a special chemistry in Floscule. With my personal background - I follow similar principles and ideas for creative collaboration in different projects, sometimes with the same faces, sometimes with new people. But they flourish differently here, as each band member here is well experienced and autonomous. We share a lot in common about the vision of music we are making, while coming from very different places.
Remote bands that never played a song together in one room - is a common thing nowadays. Thankfully, modern technologies and tools, combined with human ingenuity and creativity, makes closing that gap possible.
7. What role do you think music plays in resistance movements, particularly with songs like yours that channel a defiant spirit amidst the backdrop of conflict?
Andrii: Music has always been a powerful force in resistance movements, offering both an emotional outlet and a rallying cry. In the early stages of the invasion, it helped express defiance, solidarity, and hope. But now, people tend to see music more as entertainment than as a unifying force. While some individuals still connect with its deeper meaning, on a larger scale, its power to strengthen and unite has diminished. Even though our music channels the raw emotions of war and resilience, I no longer believe it can keep the spirit of resistance alive. Instead, it has become more of a way to escape from the harsh realities we face.
Anton: Continuing Andrii’s argument – to keep the spirit of resistance alive, is a job of a person’s mind. Song is a mere tool here. Ofcourse, the mind can be tired, the mind can be distracted, altered or manipulated. But when the mind is in a low place – that’s where the song comes to the rescue. Songs help people go through hardships.
I’ve heard about the research on brain damage after a stroke or heart attack. Sometimes people lose the ability to talk, because of damaged brain sections. But researchers noticed that though patients couldn’t talk - some of them still could sing. And through singing, they eventually regained the ability to talk. Although old speech related brain centers were damaged, people were able to form new neural connections, as singing linked with different brain sections.
8. The visual aspects of your music are striking, as seen in your video for "A Tree of Life." How important are visuals to Floscule’s overall artistic message, and how do they enhance the music?
Serhii: As for me, visuals are a very important part of our music. All visual elements for this album and our logo were invented by me and realized by artists.
Firstly I am sick and tired of a “true black metal and true metal aesthetic”, like skull and bones, corpse paint, death, blood, etc. I decided to call this project, Floscule (from Latin. flower), and this is reflected in the logo and symbol.
Secondly, I wanted to add Ukrainian elements to our visual aesthetics, and that is why sunflowers, marigolds, and red viburnum are displayed on the logo and symbol. And for the same reason, in our visuals there is a reflection of different eras: from the Cossacks who fought with the moscow kingdom to the present day, in which we are continuing this path and still fighting with the moscow kingdom. The Tree of Life is more abstract and reflects that we will blossom no matter what.
Anton: Visuals really help to provide theme and context of the album and songs.
One interesting concept lies in the album name ‘Ї’ – a symbol, a sound. Not a word, no context, just an obscure glyph. Kinda familiar, but at the same time – foreign. It doesn’t tell the listener beforehand about the emotional, thematic content inside. No insight on what to expect from it. It is whatever it is to an observer, similar to the music this album holds.
With visuals and lyrics, you could grasp and understand what the song was about. Provides an image to what we explain here, with words. It is quite helpful, albeit not mandatory.
9. Given the fusion of folk elements with black metal in your music, have you faced any challenges in making these two different styles work together seamlessly?
Serhii: I made music the way I feel it. I had no concrete plans to combine any styles.
Anton: Same. We just wanted to write something new and exciting. It was like building a cake - Serhii brought recipes, others refined them, brought ingredients, and together we combined the efforts to build layers and icings.
10. With Ї now out and gaining attention, what are Floscule's plans for the future? Are there any upcoming tours or collaborations fans can look forward to?
Serhii: We are not planning tours and live performances during the war. Especially since we never even got together and played our songs live. We have now started work on a new album and are working hard on it.
Musical collaborations on the next album are not planned, because we already have two vocalists and we will try to reveal their potential to the fullest. Maybe there will be some merch collaborations with our local artists or/and product manufacturers.
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