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Lviv and Kyiv, Ukraine – Boghdan Sulanov, the fast-talking vocalist of a heavy metallic rock band referred to as YAD, traverses a crammed backstage space. He edges previous a guitarist who has simply completed a high-octane, adrenaline-fuelled set, leaving him drenched in sweat, and reaches a small desk piled with audio tools, tea and biscuits. From beneath the desk, he fishes out a rucksack with the garments he’ll quickly put on onstage.

The live performance corridor, an intimate venue within the western Ukrainian metropolis of Lviv, is roofed in music posters and on an evening in early February, it’s full of a number of hundred rock lovers eagerly awaiting the subsequent efficiency. The ambiance is electrical, and Sulanov is worked up.

“Younger folks didn’t recognize music in the identical manner earlier than the struggle,” says the 33-year-old, referring to Russia’s full-scale invasion of his native Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

“Our band at all times sing about our issues, and proper now, it’s that we wish to survive,” says Sulanov, as he takes within the frenetic backstage ambiance.

In the course of the weekdays, Sulanov works as a software program developer, however in his free time, he is a rock star. “All of us must work, however we additionally want power, and this may come from music!” he says, earlier than politely excusing himself to arrange for his set.

On stage, Bohdana Nykyforchyn, a 35-year-old singer with shoulder-length dyed pink hair, screams right into a microphone whereas her bandmate kilos away on a drum set.

Nykyforchyn transports the room by a variety of feelings, alternating between tender melodic tones and extra aggressive, fast-paced vocals. At one level, her voice cracks, and he or she appears to be like like she may cry. After her set, she explains why. “I’m eight months pregnant, and my dream was to climb this stage,” she says. “When the second tune got here on, I felt all my feelings bubble up. My hormones are in all places!”

Backstage, Sulanov has transitioned into his on-stage persona, dressed all in white. His eyes peer by a balaclava with the phrases “not good” emblazoned on it.

The members of YAD run out onto the stage, and the viewers, starting from fresh-faced youngsters to grey-haired middle-aged rockers, erupts in pleasure. The folks standing within the entrance row scream out the phrases to their songs, together with a younger boy who appears to be like to be about 10 years previous. The guitarist briefly stops strutting across the stage when he spots the boy and provides him a heartfelt thumbs-up.

Marichka Chichkova, the occasion organiser who helps out on the bar, admits that though heavy metallic will not be her most well-liked music style, she is comfortable to see all of the folks having fun with themselves. She appears to be like up on the stage and remarks, “It’s additionally a launch for musicians; this is essential, too”.