EMQ’s with KORYPHEUS
Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with Kiev, Ukraine based Progressive/Alternative Metal band, Korypheus. Huge thanks to them for taking part!
What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
We are Korypheus, a progressive metal/alternative metal band hailing from Kiev, est. 2016. Korypheus is a Best Ukrainian Metal Act 2020 nominee. December 2018 saw Korypheus unleash their debut album “Blessed”. The sophomore album “Over The Rainbow” was released on the 20th of November 2020 via French metal label M&O Music. Korypheus combines multiple heavy metal subgenres with a keen ear for melody and epic song structures.
Current Line-Up:
Andy Gushin – Lead Vocals
Jullian Torse – Extreme Vocals
Gennadi Sarukhanyan – Lead Guitar
Ruslan Drozd – Bass
Dmitri Kim – Drums
How did you come up with your band name?
Good question, previously we performed under the name The Freens which was the name of the school band of the lead singer. Later we decided that we had to change it and came up with the name Korypheus which means ‘conductor of the choir’ in Greek, but also ‘a person who excels in his art’. Then it just sounds good for a metal head’s ear.
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
We are based in Kiev, Ukraine. The rock scene is quite active (not during quarantine though). Some internationally acclaimed bands come from Ukraine e.g., Jinjer, Stoned Jesus etc. Korypheus have performed regularly, bringing their compositions to the live stage as well as being loved for their live covers of Black Sabbath. Korypheus have performed regularly at various venues and festivals such as MonteRay Summer Rock Fest, Power of Ukraine – 2018, Vol. 2., FriDayMare Fest, Kiev rock fests ‘Metal Bleeding’ 2019 and MonteRay Summer Fest 2019 plus many more, and have shared stages with the likes of famous Ukrainian bands: Sinoptik, Velikhan, Sunrise and Bila Vezha. Their powerful progressive-rock compositions riddled with riffs and piercing melodies in a short time have grabbed the ears and attention of music fans worldwide through relentless self-promotion and determination. Musicians who took part in the recording of the new album has previously performed in famous Ukrainian acts: Dmitri Kim, ex-Jinjer drummer, Max Oshkalo (a guitarist of Joncofy, participant of Euroblast fest), singer Jullian Torse and bass-player Ruslan Drozd – both previously with Fleshgore (participant of Wacken fest).
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
Our second album is “Over the Rainbow” (20th November 2020). We also released three live videos/lyric videos in support of the album!
‘Only Lies’
‘Dyatlov Pass’
‘Over The Rainbow’
Who have been your greatest influences?
The band has mentioned many of their influences for their music, including Gojira, Black Sabbath and Mastodon.
What first got you into music?
This five different stories for each participant, for me as lead singer Ian Gillan was the main inspiration since childhood.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
We are currently under the spell of French monsters Gojira, so it would be our dream to collaborate with them.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
There are two festivals that we have an eye on – Hellfest (because our label M&O Music collaborates with them) and Wacken (in March 2020 we came second in the national Wacken Metal Battle 2020).
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
No weird gifts that I can think of, sorry. Bottles of beer, whisky, pack of condoms 😊.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Come taste the band!
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Jon Lord.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Music is a wonderful tool of human growth healing all wounds. We hate lies as is stated in our last song from the album ‘Only Lies’.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
The lack of transparency in the ways of major labels and stream services like Spotify.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Gojira – “Magma”
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Well, vinyl for real connoisseurs and downloads as they are handy!
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Power of Ukraine Fest, Vol.2, 2018.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I am a poet; I would be a writer.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
My friends from the band.
What’s next for the band?
We plan a tour in support of a famous European rock artist. I cannot disclose her name yet.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
www.korypheus.com/
www.facebook.com/Korypheusband
www.korypheus.bandcamp.com/
www.instagram.com/korypheus_band/
www.open.spotify.com/artist/6YemI6edDR5z4upLRdR4Zg
www.youtube.com/channel/UCDtUl1tZQk41kXKS4E9gzMw
Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?
They are biscuit cakes according to wiki 😊.
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