Risin Sabotage is a Ukrainian desert rock band moving toward a harder 90s-leaning sound. Formed in Kyiv in 2015, the group now works as a trio and builds songs around live energy and tight structures.
Early material drew from 70s psychedelic rock and stoner roots. The new direction keeps the desert feel but strips genre labels, favoring alternative drive and weight. Long forms like the ten-minute ”Boundless Void” give way to mostly five-minute cuts, with only the occasional extended track.
”COG” the latest single is a pivot point. Written on the eve of the full-scale invasion, its meaning shifts from resignation to agency, the move from being a cog to becoming a person. Sonically it signals a tougher palette that frames their next phase.
Writing stalled for nearly two years after the invasion and has now resumed. The album is in progress and planned for autumn 2026. Some new songs hit even harder than ”COG,” but the band keeps arrangements flexible rather than locked to a lane.
Risin Sabotage has always been a live-first outfit. Touring across Ukraine and Europe shaped the catalog. Current constraints mean fewer trips, more focused shows. Recent live documents include a backyard session ”Cherry Tree Live” featuring ”COG,” a reworked ”Planet Dies,” and a fresh take on ”The Beast.”
”Dust and Salt” recorded at Odesa’s Kuyalnyk carries a different weight. The city was shelled the night before and the band dedicated the release to marking that day and preserving context around the performance.
The scene around them has changed. Many peers paused or split as members relocated. Most current shows at home function as charity events supporting military and humanitarian needs. The band argues for more cooperation and invites foreign acts to play Ukraine, noting how live music serves as release and connection.
Risin Sabotage interview 16.09.2025
Igor Nediuzhyi
Producer: Janne Vuorela
https://www.instagram.com/risin_sabotage/
Picture: Risin Sabotage
