First of all, I need to tell you that I usually shy away from Folk Metal bands, but sometimes one does cross my path and when that happens, I try and give them the attention they deserve in order to give a proper verdict on the musical side of things. Well, that just explains how I got in contact with the music of BANDERSTADT, a Ukrainian band that was formed in 2018. They have been active so far, as they have already got a number of songs (or are they albums?) under their Folk Metal belt. "Від серця до сонця" (From The Heart To The Sun) and "Бандерштадт"(Banderstadt) are two that are from 2023. It really is rather unclear to me, as I usually don't read Ukrainian just like that. Sorry. But what I can tell you is that if the rest of the music is anything like what I have been able to hear on "Red", I am all-in! this record is being released on 26 September 2025 and should be on everyone's radar. So, even if Folk Metal isn't your thing, you should give this a listen. I mention this because the emphasis in the genre that BANDERSTADT is operating in is on the Metal side of things. The Folk is the addition that gives the band their own distinctive sound. You might have gathered from the original titles of the albums already released that the band is using their mother tongue to get their message across. And before you ask, I will tell you that you are right. And after havening Hungarian and Polish thrown at me, I am really embracing the Ukrainian language, as it does give singer Yurii Makarenko all the munition to throw his vocals into the world in just the right way. So, with the proper intonation and the honest emotions and feelings. And the music is bloody good as well. BANDERSTADT is able to give you quite varied and good quality songs that have depth, are full of soul but in the end are pure Metal that moves, that enthrals the way it should. And like I said, the Folk aspects in the music add a beautiful layer that has me very much in awe of "Red" as an album and therefore with BANDERSTADT as a band. I do know that band leader Yurii Makarenko is currently fighting for his country in the terrible war with Russia. Let us all hope that he and everyone else do make it out in one piece, and that this atrocity is ending asap. In his case, I have an ulterior motive, which is that I wish to hear a lot more of his music coming my way. I know, selfish, but it is what I wish.