The Saint Petersburg sludge trio KARGA has released its debut album — a conceptual story told from the perspective of Karga herself.
Saint Petersburg, 2026. The band KARGA, which has existed for just over a year, captures its live energy in its debut self-titled album "Karga." This is the voice of a mythological old woman of death who has lived through centuries and now tells bloody stories of the past through the weight of sludge. Behind the extreme vocals is a girl — a rare case for the genre, where a female voice becomes an instrument of archaic horror. The album is entirely written from the perspective of the character. Drawing inspiration from myths and the imagery of great artists, KARGA does not quote them directly, but builds its own version of events.
This is an attempt, through dense, low-tuned guitars, rumbling rhythms, and a caustic voice, to convey a feeling of timeless heaviness — the kind that remains after wars, executions, and forgotten rituals. Musically, the album draws from the legacy of the 90s and 2000s. The guitar structures reference the post-sludge of Neurosis, the rhythm section shows the influence of Dystopia's crust-punk. From Acid Bath and Thou, KARGA has taken the density of the mix and the approach to dynamics: from crushing riffs to sudden bursts of energy. The trio maintains its own identity, using the techniques of their idols as material rather than as objects for copying.
Notably, the band had already made a name for itself live long before any recordings appeared on streaming platforms. Having formed just a year ago, the trio has played more than ten shows, including a winter tour across Russia. In this sense, the debut album is not a sudden debut, but a long-awaited documentation of what had already been working in clubs and on stages."
Members:
Vasilisa Solkan – Vocals, Bass Guitar.
Kirill Andryushkin – Guitar.
Andrey Miroshnichenko – Drums.