Bacteria: Thane-based metal band finds rhythm amidst mayhem of war-torn Ukraine | India News

There’s a metal act from Thane that’s been a decade in the making, but there’s now a twist in their tale almost as heavy as their riffs. The three-member band, Eternal Returns, found themselves at unexpected crossroads when their drummer, Pawan Sharma, died in the pandemic. In their pursuit of a new drummer, they stumbled upon an extraordinary connection that now stretches from India to war-hit Ukraine.
“Finding a replacement in India proved challenging, given that metal drumming requires a different skillset to handle tempos that soar above 200 beats per minute. The local drummers we liked were already juggling multiple commitments. So, we decided to explore international drummers who could record for us remotely,” recounts Narendra Patel, vocalist of Eternal Returns.
Viktor Lytvynov, a drummer based in Sumy in northeastern Ukraine appeared on their radar when they decided to cast their net wider and turned to Instagram. What began as a tentative inquiry for a couple of tracks quickly changed when the band realised they had discovered a bandmate, leading to a full-album collaboration.
“When Eternal Returns approached me, I was more than happy to collaborate. It’s my first time working with a foreign band and a great opportunity to practise my English. Plus, it motivated me to invest in better instruments, set up my home studio, and refine my playing techniques,” Lytvynov tells TOI on email.
Recording their upcoming album ‘Hunchback Hatred’ wasn’t an overnight affair. Things took a different turn as the Russia-Ukraine conflict unfolded. They took nine months to craft an entire album, a process that typically demands a mere handful of days in the studio. Studio 62 in Sumy, where Lytvynov recorded, wasn’t untouched by war. Its owner, Evgenii Markarov, was drafted and he perished. But Lytvynov’s commitment to the band didn’t waver. He continued to lay down tracks, even as the sounds of stomping armies served as a constant backdrop outside the window.
“The conflict prompted a change in our creative process. Viktor’s safety became our top priority. We gave him the choice to stay safe at home. More often he remained home, looking after his parents and went out to the studio whenever he could while we’d keep our fingers crossed. There were times when we couldn’t reach Viktor and feared the worst. But somehow, he always found a way, and that kept us motivated,” recounts Patel. Through it all, a Telegram group became their conduit for sharing lyrics, music, and drum recordings.
The band’s chemistry was further fueled by personal struggles and shared dreams. “Each of us carries a unique story. Viktor fights for survival in a war zone, while Harsh and I navigate our own turmoils . Making ends meet, especially as metal musicians in this country, is no easy feat,” explains Patel.
The essence of their album evolved as Viktor’s life entwined with the band. The realities of war and experiences Lytvynov faced found their way into songs like The Crusade of the Undismayed that delves into “the underbelly of human hatred,” adds Patel.
Breaking through the language barrier was a journey in itself. “It was funny and hectic,” says Patel as he and the band’s guitarist Harsh Makwana navigated the maze, communicating “one question, one sentence, one pattern change at a time, and even specifying timestamps in songs right down to the minute” over video and audio calls.
“I couldn’t play the drums during the early war months, but when I resumed, my neighbours were relieved that the noise was once again the sound of my drums, not bombs,” says Lytvynov who currently resides in a relatively sheltered area.
“Last winter, the Russians targeted our energy infrastructure, leaving us with a mere few hours of electricity and mobile connection each day… But I aim to stay as productive as possible to make the most of my time,” he says.
For now wartime Ukrainian law prevents Lytvynov from leaving the country, which limits his ability to join Eternal Returns for live performances when their album drops next month.