Doomed Confessionary XXL: Vitya Panchishko (Risin Sabotage)
You want to know what the life of a musician is like in the current state of war in Ukraine? Please dig into this deep inside view by Vitya from Risin Sabotage.
Kyiv, Ukraine based trio Risin Sabotage slams with heavy psych and desert rock since 2015. In the quest for a new sound the music is giving the best of desert rock, heavy psych, stoner and doom. Risin Sabotage’s fuzzy riffs and grooves inspired by the sounds of 70’s astound with the incredible energetic performance.
Their latest album »Macabre« was written during the time of the global pandemic and mastered during the currently ongoing war in their country. These events have definitely affected the sound and, as a result, the title of this album. The release features nine songs that tell nine stories. Some of them put you in the atmosphere of today’s horrors, and others help you escape them. »Macabre« was released on June 2nd, 2023 via Interstellar Smoke Records.
Risin Sabotage are Vitya Panchishko (guitar, vocals), Valerii Skorzhenko (bass) and Igor Nedyuzhiy (drums, vocals).
Can you say a few words about your band?
Our band is an explosion of energy and adrenaline on stage. We embody the spirit of freedom and relentless struggle in our music. Each of us is not just a musician, but a rock rebel ready to conquer the hearts of listeners with our rhythms and melodies.
How would you describe the creation of the new album »Macabre«?
The creation of the album »Macabre« was a challenging journey that reflected our emotions and experiences during the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. This album is significant to us as it embodies all our gathered emotions and feelings. At this moment, our main label had fallen through, and we transitioned to a new label, Interstellar Smoke Records, with whom we released this new album. They have been instrumental in helping us with the release, and we are immensely grateful to them. The title »Macabre« translates to “Dance Of Death”, adding another layer of meaning to the album.
What your songwriting process looks like? When you know that a song is finished?
Usually we write songs on the road on tour, and immediately test them there and edit them. But in the last couple of years this has become impossible. Now we get together and throw out ideas over a beer, and race tracks until we understand that he has reached the end of his story. But more often than not it turns into an endless jam, bro.
Do you have your favorite song on the album?
My top track from the album »Macabre« would be »Macabre«, our titular track, which captures the essence of the album’s theme perfectly. Additionally, »Hum« stands out for its intense energy and emotive power, making it a personal favorite of mine.
How much do you think has the band’s sound evolved from your early days?
Our band’s sound has undergone a significant evolution from psychedelic beginnings to a more experimental and progressive style. Starting with a psychedelic atmosphere, we’ve transformed it into a dynamic and experimental alternative sound with hints of desert rock. The use of dual vocals adds new dimensions to our music, making it even more captivating for our listeners.
Are you working on any new songs? Can we expect any new releases soon?
With the release of »Macabre«, we immediately started working on new material. At the moment, we already have 3 tracks ready, so things are going great. Due to the current situation with tours, we can’t fully go on tour, so we’ll be delighting our fans with more new releases. Soon, we’ll be releasing a live album on Interstellar Smoke Records.
Can you tell me something more about the music scene in Kyiv before the war?
Before the war, the music scene in Kyiv was very active. There were many thematic festivals and a large community of bands from various genres. For example, popular festivals like Winter Mess and Electric Meadow, as well as many others, took place regularly. Our bands were highly popular in Europe, and many of them could easily tour there. Despite the fact that many major clubs no longer exist, in such challenging times, new resilient venues emerge for fans of various music genres. How does that sound?
How much everything changed when the Russians started the occupation?
Life has undergone radical changes since the start of the Russian occupation. The importance of things has been reassessed, and war has become synonymous with pain, loss, shattered souls, and lives. For us, time stood still.
I experienced 10 day independence war here in Slovenia in 1991 but still can’t imagine what is a real war like. How is life in Ukraine right now?
Constant anxiety, missile threats, and initially, during the war, almost everyone lived in basements. It’s like the last day of the world, but not in the movies, but in reality. When you exchange something for food, when money doesn’t work at certain times. Now, after 2 years, you get used to it and survive in this distorted reality.
Are there many victims in your circle of friends or family?
There are many, and no one is insured against accidental rockets or drones. At the beginning of the war, when we were in a shelter, my house was under occupation, and when the occupying forces left Irpin, my house was completely destroyed by the Russians.
From the “outside” it looks like nothing is moving forward. What is your opinion from the “inside”?
It seems to us that the world doesn’t fully grasp the horrific reality in which we live and the death that Russia brings. Assistance is often provided or promised only before elections or for loud statements, while people are dying. Everything is moving forward, but if partner countries fulfilled their promises, we might already be close to ending the war.
Do you have any contacts with people/scene in Russia? What do they think?
Those who could, immediately left that swamp, but there are those who do not support the regime and gradually fight against it. And there are those who mistakenly think they are following the path of the samurai (but in their case, they are just swamp samurai proudly carrying a toilet to their frogs).
I’ve been in touch with Robustfellow Prods a few years ago. How are they doing?
We still collaborated with them on digital releases, and we hope to do our next releases together, we’ve been together for a very long time.
What was the biggest challenge for the band these days?
We are currently unable to tour internationally due to being a touring band, and now we’ve shifted more towards playing in our home country and finding really cool cities and organizers. Releasing an album during wartime is not an easy task, and we are very grateful to our new label, Interstellar Smoke Records, for their support.
What can you be most proud of last year?
Release of our third album into the world, and recording of a live session at sAn Live.
What was your biggest regret?
Last year we weren’t allowed on a big tour through Poland, Germany to Denmark, but then we’ll try again ahaha.
Have you played any shows last year?
Yes, we try to play local concerts as often as possible so as not to get rusty, bro. Over the past year we played about 30 charity shows.
What was your best concert/tour so far?
Oh, there were a lot of cool and crazy tours. But the last ones were with our friends from Weird Tales, it was really cool to ride with them. And we’re on the same label together now, so there will be many more shows together in the future.
Are you doing any covers live?
No, sometimes even our standard set does not always fit into the time frame of the festivals.
How did you get first started in music?
My whole family played music, I was a pianist until I was 18, but then I gave up music until I was 22 and skated. And one day a friend let me try his guitar and away we go. Igor and Valera played together in school bands, so they grew up and developed in music together right from school.
Do you remember the first concert you attended? What’s the best one you’ve gone to?
My favorite concert is probably The Doors with Mandzarek still alive. There was a guy from some cover band on vocals, but he was great. And probably also the Whitesnake in my childhood.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
A lot, bro. Now Papa M, EODM, QOTSA, IDLES, Mastodon, a lot of new projects, and tons of groups are very on top. It became difficult to listen to one thing.
Do you have a memory of a song or an album from your childhood or teenage years that you are emotionally linked to?
The first album by The Doors, I listened to the whole album. Even part of our band name is after »Mojo Risin«.
Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future of your band?
I quit my job a couple of times to go on tour, music is a very important part of our lives.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
There’s nothing to surprise us yet.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
As I already said, we have a new album in our plans, which we are already working hard on.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Of course, but only within Ukraine, we are always waiting for you to visit)
How can people best support your band?
Do not forget the war in our country, and support various funds. You will support us by purchasing the album, or any merch!
Thank you very much for this interview! Any last words?
Enjoy the moment, live your life!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well