IN MEMORIAM: Микола ‘Amorth’ Состін

It was very hard to sit still and write this, for many reasons. I usually don’t publish such ‘articles’ out of respect to the dead and their path to immortality, but today, I really feel the need to make an exception and share few words. As some of you may already know from the respective associated bands on social media, the Ukrainian drummer Микола Состін (Mykola Sostin), also known as Amorth, has fallen in the war in Ukraine. He joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in August 2024 and served in the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Mykola was (and still is, in the hearts of many) one of the main figures in the Ukrainian scene, especially when it comes to the heart of Kharkiv’s black metal legacy. His drumming and keyboards skills were part of some of the greatest albums in Ukrainian history – …Those Whose Past Is Immortal (2005), Idea. Form. Essence… (2007) and Shu-Nun (2008) by Astrofaes; Autumn Aurora (2004), Лебединий шлях (The Swan Road) (2005) and Кров у наших криницях (Blood in Our Wells) (2006) by Drudkh; Ягна (2011), Крізь коло і п’ять кутів (2013), Уже заря зажглась (2019), Б​е​р​е​з​о​л​ь (2022) by Заводь; Serpenti Vortex (2017) by Kaosophia; … Back to Chopped Down Roots (2003) and Vector33 (2005) by Lucifigum and many others. He was also the main artist behind the misanthropic black metal entity Underdark…

Please, take time to remember his legacy and his talent, as we all do.

Also, if you wish to support his loved ones, you can do so here: https://send.monobank.ua/jar/6mic7R1t1y (this official link has also been shared by his musician friends on their respective pages). Now is a great opportunity to return the favor for all the inspiration and good music he has given us, and to help his family in their time of need.

Sincere condolences to everyone who have ever had the chance to bond with his immortal soul.

Eternal glory! A new autumn aurora dawned upon the darkened sky.

If you want to help Ukraine and you really wish to  hear more music from  Ukrainian bands in the future, consider helping: https://onguard.in.ua/support, https://savelife.in.ua/en/donate-en or https://armysos.com.ua/en/help-the-army.

Follow the real news here: https://kyivindependent.com.

And at last, but not least, I want you to know that most of the musicians  joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to fight against the terror, destroy the occupiers and liberate Ukraine from the russian invasion. Please keep this in mind. It is crucial to support them NOW, so we do not have to mourn them later!