France’s post-metal duet DRAGUNOV to unveil details on upcoming album ‘VEPR’ – out on December 6th. Massive debut excerpt available now: watch “2402”
Post-metal project DRAGUNOV deliver a new chapter in their sonic translation of History with ‘VEPR’. Focusing on Ukraine, the album is due out on December 6th. Raw and moving debut video extract ‘2402’ is available now.
Post-metal duet DRAGUNOV set the scene for obscure, violent instrumental soundscapes inspired by the Soviet era. Their vision of History is realistic and as close as possible to the emotions it arouses. New album ‘VEPR’ is a tribute to the history of Ukraine. The record not only explores the horror of war and violent exactions but also, and above all, carries a message of hope, highlighting the Resistance and the people’s struggle for Freedom. As an introduction to the album’s musical universe, DRAGUNOV are unveiling the video ‘2402’, produced and edited by We Are Vertikal Studio, filmed by Florent Gerbault and coloured by Romain Duquesne.
“This tune is an emotional display of the Russian invasion in Ukraine which began on 24th February 2022. It delves into the fear of war and destruction, but also into the resistance and hope against this aggression. We put a lot of thought into the artistic direction of this new album. Our aim was to create a character that embodies the concept of VEPR, which traces the history of Ukraine: an enigmatic, dark and mysterious being.” explain the musicians.
‘VEPR’ was produced by Benoît Roux “Xort” (Alcest, Sylvaine) and recorded at Drudenhaus Studio, France (founded by black metal band Anorexia Nervosa). The mastering work was done by Raphaël Bovey at myRoom Studio (Gojira, Nostromo, Dirge) in Lausanne, Switzerland. The album includes a powerful featuring with Belgian heavy psych unit Psychonaut’s frontman Stefan de Graef on the track “The Great Hour” – out on November 7th.
DRAGUNOV [post-metal] – New album ‘VEPR’
Out December 6th 2024 on LP, CD and digital – s/r
Since 2013, born of a strong symbiosis between guitarist Sébastien and drummer Tristan, Nantes-based post-metal duo DRAGUNOV have distinguished themselves with an immersive approach to their compositions. The aesthetics and atmospheres are crafted with subtle intelligence. The musicians reveal their influences such as Mantar, Russian Circles, Cult Of Luna and Triptykon by fusing massive and dark elements, capturing emotional tensions. The experience is powerful and unsettling.
The project released their EP ‘637’ in 2015, quickly followed by their debut album ‘Korolev’ in 2017 (self-produced), a testament to the USSR’s space conquest. In 2020, their second opus ‘Arkhipov’ focuses on the Soviet maritime past. It was recorded and mixed by Raphaël Bovey (Gojira, Dirge, Monkey3). In early 2023, with the single “Dunes Of Fear”, DRAGUNOV took part in the collaborative EP ‘Synergies’ released by post-hardcore band Nord on Klonosphère.
Masked on stage, the duo have shared the stage with Brutus, Ufomammut, Mutoid Man and Psychonaut.
Their new album, VEPR, will be released on vinyl, CD and digital on 6 December.
LINEUP
Tristan Monein : drums
Sébastien Pineau : guitar