THEODOR BASTARD · V | DIGIPAK CD

CD in digipak with 16-page booklet.

Background information about 'V'

Theodor Bastard has never been a band to rest on its laurels, and with their fifth studio album V, they execute a stunning pivot that feels both inevitable and electrifying. After years of defining the ritualistic folk and world music scene with their deep roots in Karelian tradition, the collective has turned its gaze outward, away from the northern forests and into the cold, jagged reality of modern urban decay. This isn’t a retreat; it’s an evolution. By re-embracing their early electronic impulses, Theodor Bastard crafts a soundscape that is sharp, tense, and undeniably contemporary. The analog synths pulse with a life of their own, driving tracks like “Nebo” and the lead single “Sverkay,” which rumbles with distorted bass before soaring into atmospheric heights. It’s a bold move that rewards long-time fans while offering a fresh, dark horizon for new listeners. The result is an album that feels less like a folk record and more like a sonic document of a collapsing civilization, yet it retains the spiritual core that has always defined the band.

What makes V truly exceptional is its emotional weight. The music doesn’t just sound cold; it feels the anxiety, anger, and disappointment of our current global moment. Tracks like “Vedma” surge with black cosmic energy, summoning an almost apocalyptic intensity, while “Ostavlyaem” offers a fleeting moment of ethereal lightness before transcending into the stars. The collaboration with vocalist Yana Veva adds a bewitching, haunting layer to the narrative, particularly on “Vdokh – vydokh,” where she sings of our dangerous endgame with war and technology. This is music for dark times, yes, but it’s also music for those who refuse to look away. Theodor Bastard has delivered a masterpiece of dark electronics and ritualistic fervor, proving that even in a fractured world, the spirit of ritual can still connect us. It’s a slap across the face, a necessary wake-up call, and an absolute thrill to experience.

Track listing

1. Molnii i Svist
2. Vedma
3. Nebo
4. Kaplya Rosi
5. Zveroboy
6. Dusha
7. Ditya
8. Ostavlyaem
9. Sverkay
10. Vremya

Manufacturer: Sasu Soundworks Sarl, 126 Boulevard Bara, Heliopolis 2, Lot B4, 13013 Marseille, France, Contact: www.season-of-mist.com