éllia

Year founded – 2023
Language – Ukrainian
Genre – post-hardcore, emo, alternative rock

éllia is a Ukrainian emo / post-hardcore band known for its modern interpretation of the 2000s sound and for weaving the best elements of Paramore, Underoath, Saosin, and Sleeping With Sirens into its own distinctive musical identity.

Band members:

Oleksandra Vrubel – vocals (since 2025);
Bohdan Bernatskyi – guitar, backing vocals (since 2023);
Dmytro Kozachuk – guitar (since 2023);
Serhii Pryimak – bass guitar (since 2023);
Taras Fihol – drums (since 2023).

Creative journey

Formation period

The story of éllia began in 2023, when musicians already well known within the Ukrainian heavy music scene through their work with Space of Variations, Burned Time Machine, and Telema decided to combine their creative experience into a new project. Their goal was to create a modern reinterpretation of the alternative culture of the early 2000s, combining it with their own artistic vision and a contemporary sound. In the same year, the band released its first singles, while its debut live performance on the Dark Stage at the Faine Misto festival became an impressive introduction to a wide audience.

The first stage of éllia's development took place with vocalist Vladyslav Usenko. During this period, the musicians recorded eight tracks, established the band's initial musical identity, and completed their first nationwide tour, earning the appreciation of fans of modern alternative music.

A new creative chapter

At the end of 2024, the band's history entered a new chapter – the paths of the musicians and their first frontman parted ways, and at the beginning of 2025 vocalist Oleksandra Vrubel joined the lineup. Her voice quickly became an inseparable part of éllia's renewed sound. With this lineup, the band released the landmark single «Darkness» and its debut EP «To Whom It May Concern».

Discographic debut

The EP «To Whom It May Concern» features five songs written after the arrival of the new vocalist. Every track was written and recorded independently in the band's home studio – an approach that had long become their standard creative process. According to the musicians, the overall mood of the EP is defined by the song «Find Me in Your Dreams», which became the first collaborative songwriting experience between guitarist Dmytro and drummer Taras. Oleksandra admitted that this song holds special meaning for her, as it was the first piece written for éllia, after which everyone realized that their collaboration would continue. According to the vocalist, the track tells the story of freeing oneself from the burden of the past and reclaiming inner strength after devastating life events.

Overall, the EP embraces a wide range of the musicians' own emotions—from anger, loss, and confronting one's inner darkness to emotional fragmentation and the gradual acceptance of oneself. Interestingly, the final order of the tracks was determined solely by emotional logic and the atmosphere of each composition. Only later did the band realize that this sequence perfectly matched the chronological order in which the songs had been created.

The final mixing and mastering of all tracks was completed by Volodymyr Mykhalov. In addition, the previously released singles «Darkness» and «Inside My Head» were specially remixed to blend naturally into the release's unified sound. Simultaneously with the EP's release, éllia also premiered three lyric videos for the songs «Find Me in Your Dreams», «It Was Me», and «The Sun».

Creative plans

For autumn 2026, the band announced its first mini-tour in support of the debut EP «To Whom It May Concern». As part of the concert series, the musicians prepared a full live program with an expanded setlist. Performances are scheduled in Vinnytsia, Kyiv, and Lviv, where fans will be able to hear both familiar songs and material from the debut release performed live.

Musical style

éllia's music grows out of the alternative culture of the 2000s, yet the band does not imitate familiar forms but instead reinterprets them through the lens of contemporary Ukrainian reality. As a result, the band's music sounds both nostalgic and modern, combining powerful energy with deep emotional intensity.

The members' previous experience in well-known heavy bands is reflected in the high quality of the arrangements, carefully crafted song structures, and the cohesive nature of every release. Stylistically, éllia operates at the intersection of emocore, post-hardcore, and alternative rock, creating its own recognizable sound.

One of the defining features of the band's music is its constant play with contrasts. Oleksandra Vrubel's clean, powerful, and expressive vocals intertwine naturally with heavy guitar riffs and extreme vocals—screaming—which adds tension, drama, and emotional impact to the compositions.

Song themes

éllia's lyrics are deeply confessional and almost always focus on a person's inner world. The band's songs explore loneliness, despair, struggles with one's inner darkness, and the painful search for identity amid life's chaos. These themes run throughout the song «Darkness», which has become one of the band's most notable tracks.

Experiences connected with love, misunderstanding, difficult breakups, and the desire to find someone who truly understands also occupy an important place in the band's work. These themes are at the heart of the song «Find Me in Your Dreams».

The track «Eternity» addresses another difficult subject—the human tendency to break one's own promises and the consequences of such behavior. At the same time, even the band's darkest songs never leave listeners alone with their emotions. Thus, the composition «Compassion» reflects the musicians' desire to support those going through similar hardships, reminding them that even in life's darkest moments, no one is truly alone. It is an emotionally intense work about the inevitability of endings, inner emptiness, and the mutual pain people inflict on one another when they are still unable to let go of the past.

Discography:

«To Whom It May Concern» (EP, 2026).

Social activity and civic position

Since its formation, éllia has consistently demonstrated an active civic position, combining creativity with meaningful support for the country. Charity has long become a natural part of the band's concert activities, and every performance serves as an opportunity to help Ukrainian defenders.

The musicians regularly participate in major events organized by the Faine Misto agency, as well as other concerts and festivals that also serve as fundraising platforms for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The band actively cooperates with volunteer initiatives and consistently encourages its audience to support the military through donations via its official social media pages, particularly Instagram.

At the same time, the band's contribution extends beyond charitable fundraising. éllia is committed to creating exclusively Ukrainian-language content, supporting the development of contemporary Ukrainian culture. Through their music, the artists help listeners cope with the psychological challenges of wartime, transforming shared pain, personal struggles, and inner conflict into honest art that resonates with thousands of fans.