After their Covid-baby Where the Word Acquires Eternity, Khors finally released their war-baby Letter to the Future Self. The band states:
We began working on it back in 2021 and completed it during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the rascist scum. These letters also carry the voices of those whose time stopped forever in 2022.
interviewing the drummer Kaoth already four years ago, it is not the first time Khors had issues releasing their work in the period they wished and this time might have been an especially painful one.
Well the composition, first and foremost, was highly likely the hardest part. While Covid was only a forceful yet manageable break, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine definitely had more of a deadly effect on Ukrainian creativity. But as their hymn states, Ukraine is not dead yet and so are its incredible bands. We already had echoes of how challenging it is to compose an album during a full scale war, and the band being from Kharkiv, we could easily imagine they faced additional difficulties. So we could expect some strenuousness, and maybe a shift in their general approach. While Where the Word… allowed them to grow as musicians and arrangers “like a well aged cognac” as Kaoth said, one could hope it also gave them experience and resilience to face these even harder times.
If you like what we do, consider ing us on Patreon for as little as £1 per month!
The opening song, “On the Wings of Despair and Burning Enmity”, and its melancholic cruising speed is the most faithful rendition of this situation and their artwork. This one has a much different aura than usual. Just like Where the Word…, there is a huge bird and buildings but the presence of children enlightens the loss of innocence. Just like the ruins and the missiles, it is an obvious conscequence of the war but still unexpected in Khors aesthetics. This inextricable darkness, the aggressiveness and the way it all blends together makes it a very good song to start with.
There also is this idea of trying to navigate where one would feel safer. Sometimes it’s places, sometimes it’s people. Sometimes, it’s only the memories you have from them as they are no more. “Extinct Candles of Dead Cities” is about this grievance. Musically wise, it reminds me a lot of this new wave of heavy rock bands in Ukraine, composing war songs. Even if Khors made it suit their style, this song has inherited of vocals I’m less fond of, this means chorus that sound a bit dull-witted to my taste. This song is more about rallying people suffering and fighting, and this is in a very sincere way. So the purpose is more than fair but their atmospheric signature, though still present, feels a bit left behind. It would almost feel laborious dynamically wise, until “Beyond the Darkness” and probably the best break of the album came up. To me, this is the moment Khors finally got their heads above the water. These are such moments I am looking for and that I thoroughly enjoy.
Their full atmospheric seal is also back for good on “Another Year”, with clean guitars and a different, more personal take of the singing. The instrumental unfolds nicely, offering beautiful moments. Fantastic building ups of the tension and skillful arrangements to the very last notes. Such ingenuity is showcased on “Perseverance Is the Essence”. This track is both rough and spacious. The vocals are dynamic and closer to their previous touch. To me, this sounds like their finest blend of old and new. “Zmiyevi Valy” is yet another gem as there is everything I like in there. Khors start by launching an offensive with blast-beats, carry on with constance in the singing while competently changing down the pace as they always land on their feet. The keyboards are perfectly included and there is a superb section with clean chords, and clean singing.
The last part of the album less spoke to me, although there are of course plenty of good elements. There is this cool riff progession on “Freezing Touch of Siren” while “Gods Are Watching” is more about playing with various rhythms. I am still sure these will meet their audience because it’s Khors, it is by definition well crafted. They might be in challenging times, they are still there and I am thankful for it.
Don’t fancy Patreon? Buy us a one-off beverage!
Letters to the Future Self is out now on Drakkar Productions.
Check out all the bands we review in 2025 on our Spotify and YouTube playlists!
Khors: official | facebook | spotify | bandcamp | youtube
