CONCERT: Stoned Jesus (UA) / Polymoon (FI)

Ukrainian prog-stoner trio Stoned Jesus held their first rehearsal since the Russian invasion in the middle of July 2022. It was a moment the band dubbed as “surreal” and justifiably so — the regular ritual of band practice was made impossible by the war. The members of Stoned Jesus — Igor Sydorenko (vocals/guitar), Sergii Sliusar (bass) and Dmytro Zinchenko (drums) — captured the moment for their social media channels. A broad smile of defiance and satisfaction can be seen on their faces. Regardless of the senseless havoc and destruction reaped upon their homeland, Stoned Jesus would play on. It was the resumption of a music career temporarily thwarted but not defeated by evil.

Since 2009, Stoned Jesus has served as one of Ukraine’s leading forces in heavy rock. Sydorenko, a veteran of the Ukrainian music scene, formed the band after stumbling upon some heavy and angry riffs that would become…