Ukrainian experimental progressive metal band ArchSIN is a testament to patience, evolution, and the relentless pursuit of creative authenticity. With their single Depression, from their concept Album On Death and Dying, the band has crafted a body of work that dives deep into the human experience, exploring the stages of grief in intricate, boundary-defying compositions.
The journey of ArchSIN began over 15 years ago when guitarist Alex and multi-instrumentalist Andrew found a shared passion for crafting music that pushed the limits of conventional genres. What started as jam sessions with no clear direction transformed into a long-term project when Demon, the drummer, joined the fold. Over the years, the band has oscillated between periods of intense creativity and long pauses, eventually finding their footing.
ArchSIN’s music defies strict categorization, drawing from an eclectic range of influences. Originally intending to create death metal, the band found their voice in a more introspective and complex realm. Their sound, according to Andrew, is a tapestry of varied styles: “Some tracks, like ‘Anger,’ lean into heavy death metal, while others, like ‘Acceptance,’ stray far from metal entirely.” Their decision to remain instrumental has been crucial to their identity. “Instrumental music allows for complexity and emotional depth,” Andrew explains. “It’s perfect for the kind of cerebral, intricate material we want to explore.”
The creative process behind “Depression” epitomizes ArchSIN’s collaborative dynamic. Initially conceived by Alex, the track evolved through a back-and-forth exchange of ideas. Andrew contributed bass lines that added emotional depth and contrast, while Demon ensured the track’s structure remained cohesive. “Depression” underwent countless revisions over the years, with some parts being completely re-recorded just months before the album’s release. Demon recalls redoing the drum tracks: “The original parts felt like Frankenstein’s monster—disjointed and overwhelming. We had to strip it down and rebuild.” Andrew adds, “At one point, I walked into the studio just to re-record a single bass note to fit with the updated drums. It was absurd, but worth it.” This relentless attention to detail highlights the band’s commitment to their craft.
The Album On Death and Dying takes inspiration from Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Initially titled Kübler-Ross during its developmental years. The band’s approach is far from linear. “Grief isn’t a straightforward process,” Andrew says. “We wanted to reflect the way emotions overlap and resurface unpredictably.” This is achieved through recurring themes and motifs woven throughout the album, creating a sense of continuity and tension. “Bargaining,” for instance, juxtaposes chaotic, dissonant sections with utopian calmness, a musical representation of futile hope and inevitable disillusionment. The band even tested early versions of the album on friends to gauge emotional impact. Demon recalls one listener’s reaction: “She said a simple piano passage was ‘scary.’ That’s when we knew we were on the right track.”
For ArchSIN, creating music is as much an act of survival as it is art. Based in Kyiv, Andrew and Demon compose amidst the backdrop of war, often interrupted by air raids and shelling. The weight of their reality informs their work. “We are not optimistic about how long this will last,” Demon admits. “But the music helps us process and endure.”
Archsin interview 08.11.2024
Producer: Janne Vuorela
https://www.facebook.com/ArchSin.UA/
