VUKOVI: ‘There’s not enough theatre in rock and metal anymore’ | Music | Entertainment

VUKOVI sometimes feel like they’re on another plane of existence when compared to other artists in their scene.

Not heavy “enough” to be metal, not bouncy enough to be considered pop; VUKOVI very much work within their own space. And that comes down to their striking vision. 

From how they dress, their music videos, and their sound, Nula (VUKOVI’s third record) was more of an experience than a record; a vicious glimpse into mental health and social commentary explored through a (Ridley Scott-ish) Alien lens.

The band just released Creep Heat, their first single since Nula, and paired it with a blistering music video directed by VUKOVI frontwoman Janine Shilstone. While the track is a small departure from what their fans might recognise, the singer recently told Express.co.uk that moving forward with the band’s vision is extremely important to her. And that begins with the their next album (which has not yet been announced).

“I think in terms of VUKOVI,” Janine exclusively told us. “I love the idea of being reborn after every album. And when we close the book on Nula, I like the whole idea of a rebrand.”

Buy tickets to see VUKOVI with Babymetal here

Janine didn’t mean she just wanted to switch up VUKOVI’s sound, however. Instead, she meant “completely changing up the themes” and “the look of the band”.

“It’s like a rebirth,” she mused over Zoom from her home in Scotland last year. “And seeing where that goes is exciting. That’s what I like.”

Fans have already had a taste of that with Creep Heat, as the band’s industrial, science-fiction-esque style has been replaced with an almost Lord of the Rings / fantasy fiction vibe (in some places, anyway).

Ultimately, Janine exclaimed, VUKOVI want to bring the drama back to the alternative scene. “There’s not enough theatre in rock and metal anymore,” she pointed out. “We’re still writing pop songs, it’s just an element of escapism and theatrics. Bring more theatre back into rock and metal.” She mused that more acts ought to have “backing dancers, lights” while noting that it should be “a show”.

Of course, she was quick to point out that VUKOVI aren’t blazing their own trail in that sense. Janine praised the likes of Sleep Token, Ghost and Within Temptation for doing just that. “That’s exciting to us,” she went on. “And I feel like people need it.”

And adapting to what VUKOVI’s fans need in the future is important to her. “I think that’s just all about evolution,” Janine continued. “Evolving. Everything should be a new piece of art. I think we want to push it – the theatrics – make it as flamboyant as possible. I’m just excited to see the new VUKOVI, and how people perceive that.

“People grow as people; we’re growing as people, why wouldn’t our music say that? We’re not just going to write the same stuff – that means you’re just standing in the same place.”

VUKOVI – Creep Heat is out now.

You can catch VUKOVI on tour with Babymetal later this year – Buy tickets to their shows here.