Ukrainian Artist Powerplant Unveils Black Metal Transformation with New Album
Theo Zhykharyev, the Ukrainian musical wizard operating under the moniker Powerplant, is embarking on a bold new artistic direction. Having established the project as a bedroom recording endeavour in 2017, shortly after relocating from Ukraine to study in London, Zhykharyev is now pivoting towards the ferocious realms of black metal. His upcoming album, Bridge of Sacrifice, set for release on 13 March, marks a significant departure from his previous work, which spanned fizzing electro-punk, dungeon synth, and treble-heavy hardcore.
A Freewheeling Creative Journey Takes a Surprising Turn
Zhykharyev has cultivated a reputation as one of music's brilliant eccentrics, adept at transforming wild concepts into tangible art. Through his Arcane Dynamics label, he has released records accompanied by Dungeons & Dragons-inspired role-playing adventures and distributed visually striking DIY merchandise. Despite this history of eclectic and freewheeling output, Bridge of Sacrifice stands out as a particularly unexpected and thrilling development.
The new record sees Zhykharyev's signature antic synth melodies and slashing garage-rock guitars now layered with eerie screams and tinny, drum-machine blastbeats that evoke the frost-bitten demos of early 90s Norwegian black metal. This head-spinning fusion is executed with a palpable, gleeful energy, reminiscent of a devoted fan wholeheartedly indulging their deepest passions.
Fun, Earnestness, and Escapism in Anxious Times
In the video for the album's title track, a trenchcoat-clad Zhykharyev brandishes a Flying V guitar in a creepy cellar, while the song Hall of Wolves features a squalling riff that sounds comically sinister before breaking into a wonderfully camp, Cramps-worthy chorus. This commitment to fun, earnestness, and escapism within his fabulously odd music offers a form of sweet relief amidst our current era of pervasive anxiety.
Zhykharyev's perspective is informed by profound personal stakes, as evidenced by his 2023 punk song Beautiful Boy from the Grass EP, which lamented the losses following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. His new musical direction represents a powerful and creative form of resistance and expression.
This Week's Best New Tracks: A Selection of Standout Releases
The music scene continues to brim with innovation. Here is a curated list of this week's most notable new tracks:
- Love Rarely – Will: The Leeds band injects math rock with joyful, super-poppy emo-tinged songcraft and Courtney Levitt's dynamic scream-sung vocals.
- Fakemink – Young Millionaire: A highly-tipped MC from the UK underground, Fakemink delivers a swaggering flow over goth guitars and a syncopated beat.
- Tama Gucci – Xexe: The NYC musician crafts a fantasy over blown-out bass and industrial grime that takes a surprisingly tender turn.
- Chris Forsyth’s What Is Now – Both/And: The Philadelphia guitarist explores 25 minutes of tingly, exploratory improv with a double bassist and drummer.
- Sluice – Beadie: A wistful slowcore contemplation on stopping one's running to build a life, inspired by television characters.
- Thundercat – I Did This to Myself (ft Lil Yachty): A grin-inducing return featuring an ultra-dexterous jazz-funk bassline and lyrics about hopeless infatuation.
- Brown Horse – Twisters: From Norwich, this band delivers fantastic Neil Young or Kurt Vile-inspired country-rock with gorgeous, circuitous electric guitar.
