Metal Anarchy

Time for the next edition of Metal Anarchy’s “new music showcase,” the feature where I introduce you to artists that readers of this site may find interesting. This time I have a Q&A with Evolucija.

METAL ANARCHY: Tell me a little about your band:

EVOLUCIJA: We are the Swiss-Serbian Symphonic Metal band, Evolucija. Our journey began in 2007 when we formed the band in Switzerland. One of the first big projects was producing the official soundtrack “Pale Rider” for the German film “Die Templerherren” (The Templars) by film producer and director Andreas Leffler in 2009. Our roots are diverse, with our singer, Ilana, hailing from Switzerland and relocating to Serbia in 2012. It was in that year that we decided to move the band to Serbia and kickstart our musical endeavors more actively.

In 2016, we achieved a significant milestone by releasing an album with lyrics in the Serbian language. This album garnered widespread acclaim, with both critics and fans showering it with praise. In fact, it was voted as the second-best album of the year.

Our second album, titled “Hunt,” was unleashed upon the world in 2018 through Pure Steel Records. This release catapulted us into the international spotlight, drawing attention from music enthusiasts worldwide. Towards the end of 2018, we were honoured to receive the Innocent Award for “Best Album of the Year” from the esteemed German magazine Cute & Dangerous.

Fast forward to 2023, and we are incredibly proud to have been awarded the prestigious “Kraljevski Oskar popularnosti (Royal Oscar of Popularity)” as “Najbolji metal bend u Srbiji (the best metal band in Serbia).” This recognition means the world to us, and we are deeply grateful for the support of our fans.

We’ve embarked on successful tours in Switzerland, Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, and the Balkans. Along the way, we’ve had the incredible opportunity to share the stage with some heavyweights of the global heavy metal scene, including Paradise Lost, Doro Pesch, Children Of Bodom, Tyr, Pestilence, and many others.

Excitingly, this year, we anticipate the release of our new studio album, “The World is full of Wrath.” This album was produced at the renowned Swedish “Fascination Street Studios” under the patronage of the illustrious Jens Bogren. We can’t wait to share this new chapter of our musical evolution with our dedicated fans and the world at large.

METAL ANARCHY: Who are your main influences?

EVOLUCIJA: Evolucija’s style is a unique blend influenced by our multicultural background. We draw inspiration from diverse musical genres, aiming to create music that’s both catchy and powerful, characterized by memorable vocal melodies and impactful riffs. Our influences include iconic bands like Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Kiss, Iron Maiden, Queen and Nightwish. Additionally, we incorporate elements from Balkan and other ethno-musical traditions into our sound, adding a distinctive touch to our music.

METAL ANARCHY: What is your latest release and why should readers of this site check it out?

EVOLUCIJA: Our latest single, ‘The Earth is Full of Rats’, which announces our new album, was released on October 6, 2023. We plan to release another single at the end of this year or the beginning of next year, but we can’t provide more precise information at this time.

METAL ANARCHY: What can people expect when they go to your live shows?

EVOLUCIJA: We simply strive to give our best. Performing in front of a live audience and feeling a sense of connection with them is something that always reminds me why I’m involved in music. The energy and reactions from the audience are truly irreplaceable. If you have the opportunity, come to our shows to experience the energy and emotions we convey through our music in person, because nothing inspires us more than direct contact with the audience.

We are a band with positive energy, and we enjoy sharing and exchanging it with the crowd. We still attend concerts as fans, so having a good time and meeting new people is the most wonderful aspect of this business, whether we’re on stage or in the crowd.

METAL ANARCHY: Where do you see your band heading in 5 years?

EVOLUCIJA: Our plans and aspirations as musicians for the future are to continue progressing. We aim to keep writing songs with deep emotional significance that listeners can relate to. We want our music to touch people’s hearts and have a positive impact on their lives. Additionally, we plan to embark on more tours and concerts to connect with audiences worldwide. We believe in the power of music.

We thank you for giving us the opportunity to communicate with readers in this way, and we hope they will become our listeners as well.