Thoughtfully and eloquently combining musical elements from different traditions, WHITE WARD gift Debemur Morti Productions with two new compositions for their 200th release. The full EP may now be streamed on YouTube:
On “Debemur Morti“, the Ukrainian band propagates a blend of fervent metallic traditionalism and cutting-edge experimentation. Working together with Lars Nedland (BORKNAGAR, SOLEFALD) further confirms the band’s approach may not be reduced to the two pillars of Jazz and Black Metal:
“If we speak more general about dark jazz parts, then yes, we are trying to add some noir vibe to our music. But the atmosphere created may change from release to release, depending on the theme and idea of each album and even song. You can hear there are not just dark jazz elements in our music, but also many other influences“, narrates Yurii in an interview with Legacy magazine from Germany.
The cover artwork of WHITE WARD’s new EP is a photography by Lucas DeShazer. The dead deer underlines the lyrical idea behind the title track, as Yurii comments:
“The photography we used for the cover artwork is a real shot of a deer knocked down by a car. I searched for photographers whose style would be fitting for the concept and ideas of our third album, and I found Lucas. When I saw this photo for the first time, I really “liked” it, if it is possible to say that about a photo with a dead animal. But I realized, it does not fit the album’s graphic style. Later, after the decision to create an EP, I remembered this photo and thought that it would be a perfect cover art. The idea of the animal killed by the human factor is a perfect fit for the lyrical ideas of the main song ‘Debemur Morti‘.“
“Debemur Morti” will be released on CD, vinyl, and digitally on June 25th. A classy t-shirt and hoody design accompany the EP. Pre-orders are possible via our EU, US, and Bandcamp shops.
WHITE WARD, from Odessa, Ukraine performs intensely deviant music of a noir shade. Formed in 2012 and taking root in raw depressive Black Metal, the band rapidly shed all boundaries, taking inspiration from an array of dark atmospheres including the writings of H.P. Lovecraft and I.M. Banks. The band’s excellent early recordings were compiled into the “Origins” compilation released in 2016.
Exploring themes of borderline death states, aberrant afterlife worlds, and strange mental disorders, the WHITE WARD sound adapts the expansiveness of instrumental jazz and the depths of existential despair. After recording their first full-length album, “Futility Report“, and being signed to Debemur Morti Productions, WHITE WARD is primed to embark much further on their divergent sonic journey.
The band continues to evolve and change directions with their second release, “Love Exchange Failure“. Dark-jazz aesthetics appear more vibrant and deeper than ever before, while elements of blackened death, prog, and black metal scream out in an intense fury over vicious blast beats, courtesy of new drummer Noctum! Recorded at Checkpoint and Lipkyzvukozapys studios, “Love Exchange Failure” boasts the bands most lush and professional sound to date.
In 2021, WHITE WARD composed and recorded two new songs to celebrate the 200th release of their label Debemur Morti Productions. A continuation of the band’s progressive Black Metal experimentalism, the new EP “Debemur Morti” features Lars Nedland (BORKNAGAR, SOLEFALD) on additional vocals. Work on a new full-length album is currently underway.