IGNEA is a Ukrainian melodic metal band formed in Kyiv in 2013. The band mixes different

heavy metal subgenres A number of heavy metal genres have developed since the emergence of heavy metal (often shortened to ''metal'') during the late 1960s and early 1970s. At times, heavy metal genres may overlap or are difficult to distinguish, but they can be ide ...

, the main of which are

melodic death metal Melodic death metal (also referred to as melodeath) is a subgenre of death metal that employs highly melodic guitar riffs, often borrowing from traditional heavy metal (including New Wave of British Heavy Metal). The genre features the heavines ...

symphonic metal Symphonic metal is a cross-generic style designation for the symphonic subsets of heavy metal music subgenres. It is used to denote any metal band that makes use of symphonic or orchestral elements. The style features the heavy drums and guitar ...

progressive metal Progressive metal (sometimes shortened to prog metal) is a broad :Fusion music genres, fusion music genre melding heavy metal music, heavy metal and progressive rock, combining the loud "aggression" and amplified electric guitar, guitar-driven s ...

, and

oriental metal Folk metal is a fusion genre of heavy metal music and traditional folk music that developed in Europe during the 1990s. It is characterised by the widespread use of folk instruments and, to a lesser extent, traditional singing styles (for example ...

History

In 2013, IGNEA started under the name Parallax and released debut EP titled ''Sputnik''. In 2014, the band released a single ''Petrichor'' featuring guitar solo and bouzoukitara part by

Yossi Sassi Yossi Sassi (Hebrew: יוסי סאסי), born 5 February 1975) is an Israeli guitarist and producer who merges traditional and contemporary music. He is the inventor of the "bouzoukitara" musical instrument. He is known for pioneering oriental ...

(ex-

Orphaned Land Orphaned Land is an Israeli heavy metal band, formed in 1991 under the name Resurrection (changing their name in 1992 to the current name), that combines Israeli Jewish, Mizrahi, and other West Asian influences. They are considered the pioneer ...

). In 2015, the band changed its name to IGNEA and released a single ''Alga'', with a full

symphonic orchestra A symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, most often for orchestra. Although the term has had many meanings from its origins in the ancient Greek era, by the late 18th century the word had taken on the meaning com ...

. The video gathered millions of views on the band’s

YouTube YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...

channel. In 2017, IGNEA released ''The Sign of Faith'', the first full-length album, and an animated video for the song ''Şeytanu Akbar'' dedicated against terrorism. Later, the band also published an official video for this song recorded at The Best Ukrainian Metal Act, the yearly national awards, where IGNEA was named one of the top three bands in the country. HELLE BOGNADOVA 2019

In 2018, the band released an animated video for ''How I Hate the Night'' with references to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy original movie. After that, the band toured with the Danish death metal band

Illdisposed Illdisposed is a Danish death metal band from Aarhus, that was formed in 1991 by vocalist Bo Summer and guitarist Lasse Bak. As of 2020, the band consists of vocalist Bo Summer, guitarists Jakob Batten and Rasmus Henriksen, bassist Kussen and d ...

in Europe. In September 2018, IGNEA toured within the Female Metal Voices Tour 2018 headlined by

Butcher Babies Butcher Babies is an American groove metal band from Los Angeles, consisting of frontwomen Heidi Shepherd and Carla Harvey, guitarist Henry Flury (Amen), bassist Ricky Bonazza, and drummer Chase Brickenden. Their debut album, ''Goliath'', was re ...

and

Kobra and the Lotus Kobra and the Lotus (also initialized as KATL) is a Canadian heavy metal band formed in 2009 by lead vocalist and songwriter Kobra Paige. History Formation, ''Out of the Pit'' (2009–2010) Kobra and the Lotus was formed by classical singe ...

. and released a new single ''Queen Dies''. Despite the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...

, IGNEA released its second full-length album ''The Realms of Fire and Death'' was released in 2020. It was crowdfunded by the band's patrons at

Patreon Patreon (, ) is a membership platform that provides business tools for content creators to run a subscription service. It helps creators and artists earn a monthly income by providing rewards and perks to their subscribers. Patreon charges a co ...

. The songs ''Disenchantment'' and ''Jinnslammer'' from this album were previously released as singles with official videos. ''The Realms of Fire and Death'' got an award as the metal album of the year and IGNEA got the award as the best Ukrainian metal band of 2020 according to The Best Ukrainian Metal Act. In 2021, together with

symphonic death metal Symphonic metal is a cross-generic style designation for the symphonic subsets of heavy metal music subgenres. It is used to denote any metal band that makes use of symphonic or orchestral elements. The style features the heavy drums and guitar ...

band ERSEDU, IGNEA self-released a concept split EP ''BESTIA'' about the human nature of Slavic mythological creatures and the world’s duality. In June 2021, IGNEA signed a worldwide deal with

Napalm Records Napalm Records is an Austrian independent record label focused on heavy metal and hard rock. Originally, Napalm focused on black metal bands, such as Abigor and Summoning, and folk metal bands, such as Falkenbach and Vintersorg. The label later ...

. In February 2022, IGNEA announced the third full-length concept album Dreams of Lands Unseen about

Sofia Yablonska Sofia Yablonska-Oudin ( uk, Софія Яблонська-Уден; fr. Sophie Yablonska-Oudin; b. 15 May 1907 d. 4 February 1971) was a Ukrainian-French travel writer, photographer, and architect. She was born in Habsburg Galicia, but lived iti ...

to be released on April 28, 2023."Ukrainian metal upstarts IGNEA to release Dreams of Lands Unseen album in April; ”Nomad’s Luck” music video streaming"
''Brave Words'', Retrieved on 15 February 2023

Band members

* Helle Bohdanova – vocals (2013–present) * Yevhenii Zhytniuk – keyboards (2013–present) * Oleksandr Kamyshin – bass (2013–present) * Dmytro Vinnichenko – guitar (2015–present) * Ivan Kholmohorov – drums (2015–present)

Discography

Albums * ''The Sign of Faith'' (2017) * ''The Realms of Fire and Death'' (2020) * ''Dreams of Lands Unseen'' (2023) EPs * ''Sputnik'' (2013) * ''BESTIA'' (2021) — split with ERSEDU Singles * "Petrichor" (2014) * "Alga" (2015) * "Queen Dies" (2018) * "Disenchantment" (2020) * "Jinnslammer" (2020) * "Bosorkun" (2021) * "Mermaids" (2021) * "Nomad's Luck" (2023) * "Dunes" (2023) * "Incurable Disease" (2023)

References

External links

* {{official, ignea.band Napalm Records artists Musical groups established in 2013 Ukrainian heavy metal musical groups Musical groups from Kyiv Female-fronted musical groups Oriental metal musical groups Symphonic metal musical groups Progressive metal musical groups Melodic death metal musical groups