Origin: Russia
Location: Samara (early); Moscow / Samara (later)
Formed: 2014
Status: Active
Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Label: Der Schwarze Tod
Themes: Russian Civil War, History
Years active: 2014–present
Gherzen is one of the most distinctive and historically grounded atmospheric black metal bands to emerge from Russia in the 2010s. Formed in 2014, the project is built around a rare and sharply defined thematic focus: the Russian Civil War and the broader historical, ideological, and human conflicts surrounding it. Rather than relying on abstract melancholy or nature‑driven atmospheres, Gherzen channels the chaos, tragedy, and ideological fracture of early 20th‑century Russia into sweeping, emotionally charged compositions.
Their debut full‑length 1917 (2016) immediately set them apart. The album blends melodic atmospheric black metal with martial undertones, mournful guitar lines, and a sense of historical gravitas. Its reception was strong, with listeners praising the band’s ability to evoke the tension, sorrow, and upheaval of the revolutionary era without resorting to cliché or propaganda. Gherzen’s approach is narrative rather than ideological: they explore the human cost of conflict, the collapse of old worlds, and the birth of new ones.
The 2018 single Paradox and the 2019 single Гремучая ртуть (The Fulminating Mercury) expanded the band’s palette, introducing sharper production and a more dynamic interplay between guitars and vocals. These releases paved the way for their second full‑length, 1881 (2019), which shifted focus to the assassination of Tsar Alexander II and the turbulent political atmosphere of late‑imperial Russia. The album deepened the band’s historical narrative approach, weaving atmospheric black metal with a sense of fatalism and historical inevitability.
After several years of silence, Gherzen returned in 2024 with Останки (The Remains), a single that signaled a renewed creative phase. The track carries the band’s signature blend of mournful melody, historical weight, and atmospheric intensity, suggesting that Gherzen continues to refine its unique voice within the Russian scene.
The band’s lineup has evolved over time, but its core has remained remarkably strong. Drummer Andrey Bykov, guitarist Vyacheslav Oboskalov, and vocalist Alexander Shirochenko—all of whom are also active in Elderwind and related projects—form a tight creative nucleus. Their shared background in atmospheric black metal gives Gherzen a sense of cohesion and emotional depth, while bassist Dmitry (joining in 2024) completes the current formation with a grounding low‑end presence.
Gherzen stands as a rare example of historically driven atmospheric black metal—music that is not only emotionally immersive but also rooted in specific cultural memory. Their work captures the tragedy, beauty, and complexity of Russia’s past through a lens of cold, melodic intensity.
Current lineup
Past members