As Russia escalates its brutal invasion in Ukraine, a range of prominent punk, post-punk and metal artists have joined with Ukrainian bands to raise money for war relief. The result is an album called Band Together: A Benefit for Ukraine.
Death, displacement, destruction. The war in Ukraine is an atrocity. In this moment, Ukrainian voices need to be heard and Americans need to stand in solidarity. Most of all, we need to work to overcome Russia’s invasion and aid the victims of this unprovoked war.
All proceeds from this compilation of Ukrainian and American punk, post-punk, hardcore, folk, and metal bands go to Razom (Together in Ukrainian), a New York-based 501c3 non-profit providing aid across Ukraine. For more information GO HERE.
Indie legend Ted Leo wrote a new song, “The Clearing of the Land,” for the album. Godfathers of noise Unsane gave remastered version of their classic, “Cracked Up.” Hardcore heavy weights Citizens Arrest released a fan favorite digitally for the first time. The World/Inferno Friendship Society donated an unreleased live studio version of “Cats are not Luck Creatures.” Since their leader Jack Terricloth died last summer, it is the only way for their fans to hear something new. Erin Incoherent and Under Attack provided new music as well.
While other benefit albums are out there, the new music and the presence of Ukrainian bands makes this album special.
The album opens with the Middle East-infused sounds and Ukrainian lyrics of Arab-Ukrainian Morwan, who has made a name for himself beyond the borders of his war-torn home. It also features post-punk from KAT, whose rhythm section were trapped in Kharkiv under bombardment. It has hardcore from Ukraine’s first all-female punk band Death Pill, two of whom are now refugees. Melodic hardcore comes from The Raw. Pusca and Terrorscum offer metal and Sasha Boole, who is currently fighting in the Ukrainian army, ends the record with his acoustic guitar.
The album offers a sonic landscape that touches emotions and topics germane to the conflict and it is getting unusual attention for an independent DIY effort being featured in mainstream newspapers, magazines, radio, and television as well as the Internet.
