In early 2026, Ukrainian alternative metal band OnesteP stormed back into the spotlight after a several-year hiatus, unveiling three new singles in rapid succession, and introducing a new female vocalist, Brood.
Since the band’s formation, its sound had been defined exclusively by male vocals, making this shift what the musicians themselves describe as “a rather radical decision.” Yet after a period of adjustment, including reworking previously released material, the choice has proven more than justified. Brood’s vocals dramatically expand the band’s sonic palette, unlocking new depth, texture, and emotional range within OnesteP’s music.
The first single, “Terminated,” sets the tone with an ambitious, cosmic perspective. The band frames the track as a reflection on humanity’s place in the universe:
“In our hands lies the power to create and destroy — but on the scale of the Universe, we are almost nothing. We seek other worlds, search for life beyond, yet fail to protect what we have here on Earth. We call ourselves rulers, forgetting: we are guests. TERMINATED asks: who will we be to the Others if contact is made — creators or conquerors? Contact may be established. Or… contact terminated.”
For Brood, the song marked the beginning of her journey with the band:
“The moment I heard the guitar line, the cosmic synths, and the overall mood, I instantly felt it — this was the one. Both the lyrics and the vocal part came to me almost immediately. From the very beginning, it was clear this would be a story about space and humanity’s role in the universe.”
The band’s second release, “2000.22,” shifts the focus sharply back to Earth, confronting the brutal realities of war. Accompanied by a stark message — “War… War never changes. But it changes people.” — the track reflects on the enduring trauma caused by conflict.
Band member Eugene explains the dual meaning behind the title:
“It points to 2022 — the year Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine — and also to a millennial childhood in the 2000s, a time that seemed carefree on the surface. A time when the thought of war reaching us felt almost unimaginable.”
Just two weeks later, OnesteP released their third single, “Arise,” an introspective and emotionally charged track presented as an inner monologue. The song confronts self-acceptance and personal responsibility, delivering a stark message:
“There are no saviors who will come and change your life for you… Be afraid not of change, but of being consumed by the black hole. Arise.”
Musically, the track highlights one of the band’s defining traits — the interplay between heaviness and atmosphere. As Taras explains:
“By combining aggressive low-end riffs with melodic, hypnotic layers of synths and guitars, we create a signature OnesteP effect — music that hits hard while pulling the listener beyond the edge of the conscious mind.”
Brood’s performance amplifies this dynamic even further, blending influences from multiple genres and reframing the band’s sonic identity with a new level of contrast and intensity.
Having already recorded several tracks with their new lineup, OnesteP are poised to release more new material throughout 2026 — marking not just a return, but the beginning of a bold new chapter.
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