White Ward are set to release their new record False Light in June via Debemur Morti Productions, just over four months since Russia invaded Ukraine. That’s important to acknowledge, since White Ward hail from Odesa, and the daily barrage of rocket fire has become the new and unsettling norm.
States vocalist Andrii Pechatkin, “Things are changing rapidly. We need to be ready for everything. We need to be flexible to survive. We need to accept new conditions. We need to stay strong and unite. We need to fight for our future.” Composer and guitarist Yurii Kazarian adds, “I feel a rather serious reappraisal of material and ‘spiritual’ values now. I understand that after the war, this process may back up a bit, but іt is absolutely obvious that neither me nor the world will be what it was in early 2022. Big changes are happening now, and we must be prepared for any, even the most terrible scenarios.”
Pechatkin goes on to state, “The only question was where my place in this war is. We all have personal areas of impact where we fight to accelerate the moment of victory. The question was to find this spot and leverage it to the maximum.” Adds Kazarian, “I got a clear and final answer for myself about how I feel about being Ukrainian in the way I realized how much I love my country and the people around me. I may not show it very emotionally in public, but sometimes when I’m alone, my eyes fill with tears. I’ve never felt this way before. That’s why I talked about a new understanding of values in the past.”
About his home in Odesa, Pechatkin says, “It is relatively safe to stay here. We experienced several rocket strikes and shelling a few times. However, life looks pretty much as usual except for checkpoints, anti-tank protections, and militaries.” Kazarian adds, “Sometimes being in Odesa for me feels like a Remarque novel—a city in the cauldron of war and horror in which life tries to go its own way. Paradoxes such as people drinking coffee on the summer grounds of restaurants during the air raid.”
“There is no limit to human cruelty. Events that took place in Bucha and other Ukrainian cities and villages illustrate that. Unfortunately, we still don’t have much information. And evidence of more brutal cruelty may be revealed,” states Pechatkin. “We know a lot of examples of much more horrible things from the past. So all things we see now can only be the beginning, despite the fact that these things are already an example of extreme cruelty. That is why we need to stop it as soon as possible,” adds Kazarian.
And in the most unlikely places, especially during wartime, art, and creativity find a way to survive. White Ward have decided to forge ahead and release their third album, False Light, in June. “It is very much important for me despite it doesn’t touch on the topic of this war. However, it covers lots of problems associated with modern Ukrainian history as well as some deep inner thoughts and experiences … the album’s concept is based on various points in modern Ukrainian history. Therefore, it links to modern Ukrainian culture that gets born out of the fire and destruction that cover our homeland.”
Says Kazarian, “The new album and White Ward in general are very important things for me even now. Working on the release is one aspect that gives even more hope for the future helping to move forward.” Pechatkin’s final words ring loud, “Creativity/music is one of the common ways to escape from the reality. It’s a universal treatment that heals wounds and provides extra opportunities to overcome any obstacles. In this tough time, creativity saves a lot from mental breakdowns and other related issues. You feel tension—music helps to release it. You feel sad—music helps you feel a little bit happier. You feel anger and pain—creativity is also your savior. You only need how to push the negative feeling into a creative direction.”
Stream or preorder False Light by White Ward here.
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