Telema

Year founded – 2019
City – Ivano-Frankivsk (Ukraine)
Language – Ukrainian, English
Genre – metalcore, melodic hardcore, alternative metal

Telema is a metalcore band from Ivano-Frankivsk that has earned recognition for its high-quality sound, sharp sense of irony, and conceptual lyricism. The band's catalogue includes a number of singles, the full-length albums Lost People Crying Loud and «The Rogue», as well as the EP «Fear. Despair. Fury. Rage.» Band members:

Vladyslav Kulii – vocals;
Roman Fihol – guitar;
Taras Fihol – drums;
Andrii Korchahin – bass guitar.

History

Telema emerged on the music scene in 2019 in Ivano-Frankivsk. The band was founded by brothers Taras and Roman Fihol, who had previously gained experience performing in local music projects. Their new band was born from the desire to develop high-quality Ukrainian-language metalcore by combining heavy sound with deep emotion and sincere expression.

From the very beginning, the musicians had no intention of adapting to commercial trends in the music industry. Instead, Telema have always viewed creativity as a continuous journey of self-discovery and growth. As the members themselves once said in an interview: «We have no goal, only the journey.» This philosophy became the foundation of the band's identity and shaped its artistic direction.

Origin of the name

The name Telema carries deep symbolic meaning. It refers to the well-known philosophical and esoteric concept that gained worldwide recognition through the teachings of Aleister Crowley and his famous statement: «Do what thou wilt – shall be the whole of the Law». For the musicians, the chosen name represents absolute creative freedom, an inner search, and the artist's right to remain true to themselves regardless of external circumstances.

Creative journey

Telema's first major breakthrough came with a live session recorded in the spring of 2019 at Frost Magnetic Records. Later that same year, the band played its debut concert in Ivano-Frankivsk and, in December, embarked on its first concert tour – a split tour alongside Sick Solution and Affecting Dissent.

The following year opened up new opportunities for the band. In 2020, Telema performed at the «Let's Get High» festival in Ivano-Frankivsk, sharing the stage with Space of Variations, Motanka, and Epolets. That autumn, the musicians began working on their debut full-length album Lost People Crying Loud, which was also recorded at Frost Magnetic Records.

In 2021, the band joined the Grayshapes tour as a special guest. These performances significantly expanded Telema's audience and strengthened their reputation as one of the most promising acts on the contemporary Ukrainian metalcore scene.

2022–2026

At the end of 2022, Telema entered a new creative phase with the release of the single «Turmoil», which showcased the band's renewed style and even more distinctive sound.

The year 2023 became one of the busiest periods in the band's career. In spring, Telema collaborated with emo rapper Sleepy Andy on the track «Despair», which later became part of the EP «Fear. Despair. Fury. Rage.» During the summer, the band teamed up with Grayshapes and Burned Time Machine to record the metalcore track Terror, and in autumn they embarked on a large-scale split tour together with Burned Time Machine.

Another important milestone was the band's signing with Faine Booking, which took over the organisation of Telema's concerts and tours. In March 2024, Telema launched their first headline tour across Ukraine titled Let's Make the Chaos Tour.

On 21 March 2025, the band released its second full-length album «The Rogue», presenting it through concerts in four cities. The record tells the story of the title character – a person who embodies inner conflict, moral decline, self-destruction, and the refusal to take responsibility for their own actions. This conceptual album became one of the band's most remarkable releases.

Style and lyrical themes

Over the course of several years, Telema have evolved significantly both musically and conceptually. The band fully switched to Ukrainian-language material while preserving its passion for melodic hardcore – a genre that has become an inseparable part of Telema's signature sound. With every new release, the musicians demonstrated steady artistic growth, while the album «The Rogue» became a culmination of that creative evolution.

From the very beginning, Telema gravitated toward socially conscious themes. Following the outbreak of the full-scale war, the focus shifted to exploring human emotions and psychological states, which found expression in the EP «Fear. Despair. Fury. Rage.» Through their songs, the musicians examine inner struggle, psychological trauma, personal collapse, hypocrisy, selfishness, the law of karma, and many other difficult subjects that are rarely discussed openly.

The band's arrangements deserve special attention as well. Within the modern metal scene, Telema have developed one of the most distinctive artistic concepts, creating a recognisable sound that sets them apart from other Ukrainian bands in the genre.

Social engagement

Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Telema have taken a clear civic stance, making music one of their ways of supporting the country. The band actively participates in volunteer initiatives, takes part in large-scale charity tours and concerts, and regularly organises fundraising campaigns for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

During this period, the musicians have performed dozens of charity concerts across the country. Thanks to ticket sales, the support of fans, and the generosity of their audience, the band has raised substantial donations to support Ukrainian soldiers. For Telema, the stage has become not only a place for creativity but also an effective tool for helping the people of Ukraine.