Doomed Confessionary: Ivan, Vilim, Igor & Luka (Hrmülja)
Photo credits: Leonora Bajrović
Hrmülja is a four-piece heavy psych rock band from northern Croatia.
The band marches into a new chapter with their new studio EP »Dream Horizons«, suitable as a warm-up for the performance at the upcoming Bear Stone Festival in 2026. »Dream Horizons« EP was released on January 9th, 2026 and is available now on all major streaming platforms.
Hrmülja offers a combination of authentic expression, new material and proven live presence. The audience will be privileged to hear new songs live and the band will deliver raw energy, riffs and atmosphere that audiences have already rewarded with enthusiasm at last year’s shows.
Founded in 2013, Hrmülja currently consists of Ivan Bajrović (vocals, bass), Vilim Radaković (guitar), Luka Kekez (drums) and Igor Maleš (guitar).
Can you please say a few words about your band?
Just four guys being honest to themselves and everybody around, playing heavy psych rock and dancing on the edge of normality and absolute insanity.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Keeping us together and keeping the flame burning in the years of less activity. At the moment the biggest challenge is just to stay sober and focused while waiting for the moment of playing on stage and giving our best for the crowd in front!
What can you be most proud of so far?
The show in Močvara club that we have put up ourselves and with our fellow band A Gram Trip in the spring of year 2024. We are also proud of getting a great feedback every time we release something!
What was your biggest regret?
Time, so much wasted time and energy on heavy drinking and other nihilistic stuff, but that’s fucking rock man, at least we can write songs about it!
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
We feel that we are going to have a best concert vibe ever at our »Dream Horizons« release show on February 7th in Zagreb. Just because everything is so hyped right now and we are expecting a full club with crowd acting like real crazy rock ’n rollers.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
We are talking about Croatian metal/rock scene, mostly centered in Zagreb alongside with few serious festivals like Bear Stone Festival on top. The surprise is that scene is very strong and there are young bands growing like shrooms after rain, progressing faster than ever!
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Motörhead, Rezn, Sungrazer, Windhand, Type O Negative, Atomic Roster, King Buffalo, Neurosis, Druids, Inter Arma, Hällas, Golden Void, Blackfoot, Cattle Decapitation, Uncle Acid, Wovenhand, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Messhuggah, QOTSA and all the classic ‘70s ‘80s heavy rock music and new heavy psych stuff.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Play live, jam and rehearse as much as you can, just play. You don’t need a lot of notes to be powerful. You just need to hit the right ones, with the right intention.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Not being normal and doing everything that goes with it. Abc cheese, greek yogurt, get drunk in wilderness. Loud farting in public and laughing in the most serious situations. Maybe a can of Pepsi once in a while.
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Croatia?
We have answered that before, but we can also say that there are a lot of big and small booking agencies that bring us great touring metal and rock bands from all over the world and it is all happening mostly in Zagreb, the capital. We wish if the scene could be stronger in some other bigger cities around Croatia so the bands from Croatia could tour around the country and be paid just enough to be self-sustaining.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We will play a promo gig for the »Dream Horizons« release on 7.2. at AKC Attack, Zagreb. We have also confirmed a show at the Bear Stone Festival in July. At the moment we are trying to book some gigs in Croatia and the region, like Slovenia, Austria etc.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Just to continue with the high tempo like we started last year, to record a full LP as soon as possible because now we are on the high wave and we have to use it!
How can people best support your band?
Buy our new beautiful »Dream Horizons« t-shirt and come to our shows, that’s it!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Don’t be a pussy, be honest to yourself and people around you, your life will be better. Listen to real music from real musicians and support them. Support heavy rock as long as you can walk!!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well