An all-female Ukrainian punk rock band that was split apart by the war has come together to start their first-ever UK tour.
The drummer and bassist of Death Pill were forced to move to Australia and Spain, respectively, after Russia invaded their nation.
The group will perform in Bradford on Friday night after recently coming back together for a performance in the capital of Ukraine.
We want to demonstrate to people the value of freedom, says Kyiv-based singer Mariana Navrotskaya. ".
The band promises that their music will "kick your ass with its honest emotions and powerful riffs" during their upcoming performances in Manchester, Bristol, Brighton, and London.
First of all, seeing each other was the main objective of this tour, according to Mariana.
It is not a typical tour with typical performances; rather, it serves as a testament to the resilience of our people and the fact that nothing can completely divide us. ".
'Riot Grrrl,' an underground punk movement that originated in the US and combines feminism, music, and politics, is credited with helping Death Pill form in 2017.
The group was forced to practice via video calls prior to their charity concert in Kyiv on May 20, which raised money to assist Ukraine in purchasing anti-drone weapons.
Natalya Seryakova, a bassist, says that since we couldn't practice together, she played to a click on a laptop while wearing headphones.
After more than a year and a half of separation, we practiced together for the first time in the same room in Kyiv. ".
The band is representing Ukrainian rock music because conscription severely restricts the number of Ukrainian bands that can tour abroad.
We want to demonstrate how crucial it is to be free, to have a voice, to have a place to call home, to cherish and honor each moment of life, according to Mariana.
"I sincerely hope the audience will sense it and learn something from the performances. ".
One year to the day after Russia invaded Ukraine, Death Pill released their debut album on February 24 via the London-based record label New Heavy Sounds.
The band, which includes members who are fluent in both Russian and Ukrainian, decided to translate the songs they had been singing in Russian before the war began.
Because Russia chose to invade our country and eradicate our culture, we came to this decision, Mariana explains.
"Until 2022, speaking Russian or Ukrainian was not a problem in Ukraine. However, in light of what they did and how they handled it, we no longer want to have any relations with them. " .
On Friday in Bradford, Death Pill will perform at the 1 in 12 Club.
