Ukrainian black/death metal band 1914’s sound is unavoidably shaped by the ongoing war. The writing and recording of Viribus Unitis, out November 14 via Napalm Records, was profoundly affected by the current conflict, which began for Ukraine 11 years ago. Their new album channels immense anger and hate into their most aggressive work yet, while also highlighting the overlooked history of the Eastern Front in World War I and stressing the urgent message of unity against a totalitarian enemy.
“First of all, this album we recorded during the full-scale invasion,” begins vocalist Ditmar Kumarberg. “So this was completely different … Every album as 1914 we recorded during the war … but this one, we prepared during the invasion,” Kumarberg explains. This environment was defined by daily sirens, air raids, drone attacks, and “cemeteries full of the young and brave dead people.”
The result was not inspiration, but an overwhelming surge of negative emotion. “It gives us a lot of anger, a lot of hate, a lot of despair.” The practical challenges of war also permeated the process, including many blackouts which forced recording to stop.
While 1914’s music has always used World War I as an allegory for contemporary struggles, Viribus Unitis focuses intensely on the overlooked history of the Eastern Front, literally tying the history of Ukraine to the history they love to tell. Kumarberg stresses that his mission is not just to play metal, but to educate.
“My mission is to spread the message and telling the stories … to give you something new. You know, you will listen to the song, read the lyrics, and you will say at some point, ‘OK, I didn’t know nothing about these events, I will Google it, and I probably will learn something new from this.'”
The album is based on the real-life experience of one Ukrainian soldier from the band’s hometown and touches on historical events like the Carpathian Winter Operation and the Brusilov Offensive, two of the largest battles of the Great War, which took place in Ukraine and resulted in millions of casualties. These events, Kumarberg notes, are often unknown in the West.
The album title itself, Viribus Unitis, which means “With United Forces,” serves as a direct bridge between the past and present. “It’s a bridge between the First World War and nowadays,” he states. “We together can win if we will unite together … Then we can defeat the enemy, because our enemy is a totalitarian system, the Empire, and we are fighting against the Empire.”
The practicalities of life in a warzone severely impact 1914’s ability to tour. “It’s hard to understand how in the 21st century, you could not be allowed to leave the country. You’re just sitting in the closed border, and because you’re male, you’re not allowed to leave,” he explains, explaining that all male citizens are conscripted. The band are also facing bureaucratic hurdles for their scheduled appearance at Maryland Deathfest in the U.S. in 2026. Ultimately, touring depends not only on policy but “even on the Ukrainian battlefields and the situation on the front.”
Despite the danger, the band members remain in Ukraine. “This is our homeland … a lot of my friends are now in the trenches, and they need us,” Kumarberg asserts. He also explains that the band are providing direct aid. “We are collecting money from merch, from band fees … and all money, what we can earn, we donate to the regiment.” He estimates the band has raised more than 100,000 euros during the full-scale invasion, using the funds to purchase armored vehicles, helmets, and medical supplies.
Musically, Viribus Unitis is a split experience. The album is faster than previous works and actts as the “bloodlust” section that involves the listener in the war. The second part, however, is “slower, darker, and doomy” and focuses on the protagonist’s introspection: “How he is tired of this war, how he wants to go back home, embrace his daughter, embrace his wife.”
Kumarberg remains committed to 1914’s future, despite the daily existential threat. “If we stay alive, of course, we will record many albums because I have a lot of ideas and a lot of stories to tell.” He concludes with a sobering statement on their reality: “We must resist, because if the Russians drop their weapons, the war immediately ends. If we drop our weapons, we will die. That’s all.”
Viribus Unitis is out on Friday, and you can preorder it from Napalm Records. Follow 1914 on Facebook and Instagram for future updates.
Photo Credit: Sofiia Ruda
