Origin: Lithuania
Formed: 2011
Status: Active
Genre: Progressive / Black Metal
Label: Dangus Productions
Themes: Not officially listed
Juodvarnis—named after an old Lithuanian word for “raven”—formed in 2011 and quickly became one of the most distinctive voices in Lithuania’s modern metal landscape. Emerging first from Dusetos before relocating to Vilnius, the band forged a sound that blends black metal intensity with progressive structures, emotive melodies, and a strong sense of Baltic identity. Their music is marked by soaring guitar leads, expressive vocals, and a dynamic interplay between aggression and introspection, often drawing from Lithuanian folklore, personal struggle, and existential reflection even when not explicitly stated in their themes.
Their debut album Šauksmai iš praeities (2014) introduced a style rooted in atmospheric black metal but enriched with melodic and progressive elements. It was followed by Mirusio žmogaus kelionė (2016), a more mature and expansive work that solidified their reputation as one of the most emotionally resonant metal acts in the region. Critics and listeners praised the band’s ability to merge harshness with beauty, crafting songs that feel both intimate and monumental.
After a period of singles in 2020—Diena kai pasenau, Prisimink mane, and Sielos dugne—Juodvarnis released Nerimo dienos (2020), an album shaped by tension, uncertainty, and introspection. It showcased a darker, more atmospheric direction while maintaining the band’s signature melodic sensibility. Subsequent singles Iš amžių šaknų (2021) and Trys (2021) continued to refine their sound, weaving together progressive arrangements with emotional depth.
The band entered a new creative phase with Svoris (2024) and Juodos akys (2025), leading toward their 2026 full‑length Tėkmės, a culmination of their evolving style—fluid, expressive, and richly textured. This latest work highlights Juodvarnis’ ability to balance modern production with raw emotional authenticity, securing their place as one of Lithuania’s most compelling contemporary metal acts.
Current lineup
Paulius Simanavičius – Guitars, Vocals (2011–present)
Also: ex‑Orb
Modestas Juškėnas – Guitars (2012–present)
Also: ex‑Life’s Edge
Augustinas Bėkšta – Drums (2014–present)
Also: Black Citrus, Dausa, Sisyphean, ex‑Life’s Edge, ex‑Phrenetix
Current live member
Vytenis Vaisiūnas – Bass (2020–present)
Also: Orb, Regressive
Past members
Paulius Gudonis – Bass (R.I.P. 2023)
Mindaugas Stundžia – Guitars
Also: ex‑Ūkanose
Gediminas Tumėnas – Drums (2011–2014)
Also: Au‑Dessus, Phrenetix, ex‑Posterity
Linas Kulbačiauskas – Bass (2012–2015)
Domas Banevičius – Bass (2015–2017)
Also: Crypts of Despair, Death in Taiga
Vytenis Vaisiūnas – Bass (2017–2019)
Also: Orb, Regressive
Full‑length albums
Šauksmai iš praeities (2014)
Mirusio žmogaus kelionė (2016)
Nerimo dienos (2020)
Tėkmės (2026)
EPs / Singles
Diena kai pasenau (2020)
Prisimink mane (2020)
Sielos dugne (2020)
Iš amžių šaknų (2021)
Trys (2021)
Svoris (2024)
Juodos akys (2025)