Belarusian duo Dymna Lotva unleashed a fierce battle cry for freedom with their new non-album track "Live!" (Жыві!) and the accompanying video. The duo was first forced to flee their native homeland Belarus from political persecution by the dictator Lukashenka. Shortly afterwards vocalist Nokt Aeon also had to leave her Ukrainian exile when the Russian bombs began to fall with Putin's continuing invasion.
This track and video are a tribute to those brave men and women risking their lives in the fight for freedom. In the words of the band: "This is a song for our homeland and those who are ready to defend her and fight for her freedom", Dymna Lotva write. "Now they are defending her honor by helping Ukraine fight against the invaders."
The first half of the video includes a solemn oath sworn by the Kastus Kalinoŭski Regiment, which is a military formation within the Armed Forces of Ukraine that consists of Belarusian volunteers. The Regiment took its name in honour of Kastus Kalinoŭski, the head of the national liberation uprising of 1863-1864 in the Belarusian-Lithuanian lands of the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth against Russian domination. He is seen by many of his compatriots as a national hero of Belarus.
The mission statement of the Kalinoŭski Regiment is: "Liberation of Belarus through the liberation of Ukraine."
Dymna Lotva has many reasons to carry the torch of rebellion. The duo had to flee their native Belarus due to political persecution and attempts by the Lukashenka dictatorship to censure and suppress their art.
Dymna Lotva continues to sing songs filled with grief and pain. The Belarusians have beautifully and powerfully enhanced their very personal style. With a solid base in black metal, but also taking many elements from doom as well as traditional music, the duo has moved beyond the post-black metal tag and created melancholic, haunting melodies that bear their unmistakable trademark and result in a unique emotional sound.
Their latest full-length, the exceptional The Land Under The Black Wings: Blood (Зямля Пад Чорнымі Крыламі: Кроў), was released in August 2023 via Prophecy Productions. Link
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