From the culturally rich landscapes of Yerevan, Armenia, comes Urbatarur, a band that melds the crushing depths of doom and sludge metal with the raw energy of punk. This unique concoction is a vivid expression of the band’s diverse influences and backgrounds.
Urbatarur’s debut album, released on March 15, 2024, offers a dark and atmospheric journey through metal, showcasing a mix that includes everything from stoner to post-metal, with touches of black metal and jazz. Let’s dive into it.
The band members came together in Armenia, each bringing a rich history from various music scenes across Europe.
Despite the backdrop of political unrest that influenced their move, Urbatarur is committed to crafting a sound that transcends boundaries and speaks to a universal audience.
Dmitrii Avargin, Urbatarur’s guitarist, shared insights into the band’s formation, influences, and aspirations in our brief interview.
The formation of Urbatarur is a tale of convergence and shared musical passion. Half of the band’s members boast Armenian heritage, bringing a rich, localized heritage into their craft. Each member previously honed their skills in various punk, hardcore, and metal bands across Europe.
Dmitrii himself played guitar for Supruga, a band known for its blackened hardcore sound with female vocals. Their drummer, Misha, comes from the punk band Zarnica, and their second guitarist, Marut, previously played in drone-doom bands Osoka and Rostov–on–Drone.
Andrey, the bassist, adds his experience from the noise-rock band IBN. While some of the members were acquainted, their collective decision to form Urbatarur occurred once they all settled in Yerevan.
Their sound, as Dmitrii describes, is a rich blend woven from old-school doom metal, sludge, stoner vibes, post-metal, with dashes of black metal and jazz.
“In our newest songs, there are elements of classic hardcore, too.” Dmitrii shares. This broad spectrum of influences ensures that their music, characterized as menacing sludge/doom, remains fresh and unpredictable. Their debut album, self-recorded and released, stands testament to their commitment to not being bound by any single genre.
The band’s name, Urbatarur, itself has a story rooted in Armenian heritage, inspired by an ancient amulet known for warding off evil spirits. Dmitrii recalls how the name came to be: “We were searching for a unique name, steering away from our initial choice ‘STEPASIDE’ due to its commonality. When I came across the legend of the Urbatarur amulet, it resonated with us instantly.”
Looking ahead, Urbatarur is intent on expanding their horizons. They are currently focusing on rehearsing and crafting new music, with regular performances in Armenia and Georgia.
Plans are underway to extend their reach to Serbia and broader European stages.
Dmitrii concludes, “We would love to play more concerts and embark on a full-fledged tour with performances across different countries. Let’s see what we can do about it. Peace to all!”
