KOMU VNYZ – 4

“4” is another musical interpretation of Shevchenko through the atmosphere, voice, and character of Komu Vnyz, where the words of the Kobzar take on a new sound.

Komu Vnyz are pioneers of Ukrainian rock music from Kyiv. They are known for combining powerful industrial sound with Ukrainian poetry, often using texts by Taras Shevchenko and other classics. The album 4 is the second mini-album by Komu Vnyz, presented on March 9, 2014. It was dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the birth of Taras Shevchenko. The record includes four songs and a recitative postscript based on the poet’s verses.

The group was formed in 1987 by young musicians Vladyslav Makarov (guitar), Andrii Sereda (vocals and songwriter), Yevhen Razin (drums and backing vocals), Serhii Stepanenko (bass guitar), and Vladyslav Maliuhin (acoustic guitar and backing vocals). The band’s name is a sarcastic pun from the era of Soviet perestroika on the word “Communism”.

Komu Vnyz is one of the most influential bands of Ukrainian dark rock, combining powerful gothic sound with Ukrainian poetry, history, and philosophy for more than three decades. Their music has become a distinctive cultural phenomenon — deep, symbolic, and recognizable. The release includes compositions based on the texts of Taras Shevchenko: “Zore Moia Vechirnia”, excerpts from “Khustyna”, “Kholodnyi Yar”, “U Kazemati”, and “Osiia”. Shevchenko’s poetry is the voice of Ukrainian freedom, dignity, and memory. His words, written more than a century and a half ago, still sound sharp and relevant today, reminding us of the strength of the people, the struggle for freedom, and the right to be oneself.

“Zore Moia Vechirnia” reflects the influence of traditional Ukrainian melodies that were heard in the texts of the poem “Kniazhna” in the Chernihiv and Poltava regions. The music for this piece was composed in the 19th century by the composer Hordii Hladkyi. The following compositions, “Z Khustyny” and “Z Kholodnoho Yaru”, also contain strong symbolism. During the Cossack era, when a Cossack went on a military campaign, a woman or a girl would give her beloved an embroidered kerchief as a sign of good fortune and a symbol of her loyalty. If the Cossack died in battle, this kerchief was used to cover his face before burial. “Z Kholodnoho Yaru” contains Shevchenko’s glorification of the time of the Koliyivshchyna uprising. “Za Bairakom Bairak” is an acoustic piece; originally Shevchenko wrote this reflective poem from the cycle “V Kazemati”, inspired by the events of the 1657 uprising and the internal conflicts of the period known as the Ruin. The track “Z Osiia. Hlava XIV” is a recitative — a spoken-word declamation accompanied by a dark instrumental background.

For the first time on vinyl, this cult Ukrainian album is released by TILKYTAK Records to mark the birthday of Taras Shevchenko. It is a single-disc edition with the music recorded on side A, while side B features an engraved design. The release includes an insert. Pressed on classic black 180g vinyl to ensure deep, “live” sound, the record is cut at 45 RPM. Limited edition of 299 copies, the first 99 of which include autographs from the band.