Histibe – Metal Sunrise

“Metal Sunrise” is a deeply personal album by Ukrainian artist Histibe, blending detailed sound design with elements of breakbeat, ambient, and techno, alongside the epic textures of film music. You can hear powerful percussion, deep basslines, melodic atmospheres, and a mix of opera and rap vocals — a signature sound of the album.

The recording process began in Kyiv in 2022 during the invasion of Ukraine, taking the form of a sonic documentary of real-life events. These recordings were later used to create a realistic virtual instrument called Swords to Ploughshares, in collaboration with American developers Soundiron and supported by the renowned company Native Instruments, which featured the instrument on their official platforms. These sounds were recorded in uncontrolled real-world urban and forest environments by an ordinary person using basic handheld recording equipment, under wartime conditions. Needless to say, some of the edges remain naturally raw and unpolished.

Every track takes listeners on a long journey filled with improvisation and moments from life, where the creation of music took place under extremely tough conditions, including power outages and air raids. The album also features original vocals by Histibe and Berlin-based opera singer Willa Weber.

The album was meticulously mastered at the German studio of Joachim Serges to achieve the best possible sound quality. Prior to the album’s release, four singles were launched: Future in Our Hands, BRAVELAND, Peaceful Sky, and Time of Valentine. The cover art for these singles was created in collaboration with Robert Gotham, a respected artwork designer known for working with many international artists, and Solonskyi, a well-regarded Ukrainian designer. The fourth single, Time of Valentine, is dedicated to Histibe’s beloved mother, Valentine.

Histibe unveils a compelling collection of singles—Future in Our Hands, BRAVELAND, Peaceful Sky, and Time of Valentine—from his upcoming album METAL SUNRISE. Each track blends cinematic sound design, electronic innovation, and deep emotional resonance, forming a cohesive narrative shaped by life during wartime.

Future in Our Hands sets the tone as the album’s opening single, blending cinematic electronics with progressive rhythms and thought-provoking spoken word. It delivers a message of unity, responsibility, and hope for future generations. Crafted with immersive textures and detailed sound design, it invites listeners to reflect on their role in shaping the world, both sonically and spiritually.

BRAVELAND follows with a dynamic fusion of rap, rock, indie pop, and modern electronic production. Featuring original vocals by Maks Histibe and real-life field recordings from air raids in Ukraine, the track captures a fierce spirit of resilience and determination.

Peaceful Sky, a collaboration with Berlin-based opera singer Willa Weber, bridges classical and electronic elements to deliver a heartfelt message of love, peace, and remembrance. The song was written and produced across Ukraine and Germany, and is dedicated to Histibe’s late mother, Valentyna Kobzar (1950–2024).

Time of Valentine continues the story with cinematic and emotionally rich arrangements. Combining evocative melodies, deep piano, atmospheric textures, and trailer-style percussion, it stands as both a personal tribute and a bold artistic statement.

Together, these singles form the foundation of METAL SUNRISE—a sonic journey through chaos and hope, crafted with visionary sound design and a vibrant emotional core.

Maks Histibe is a Ukrainian composer, video director, and sound designer. Since 2005, he has been experimenting with electronica, drum & bass, breakbeat, techno, and film music. From his home studio in Kyiv, he produces work for numerous international projects and companies. Histibe has collaborated with acclaimed creatives and artists from around the world to inspire others. Passionate about detailed sound design, he blends it seamlessly with vocals, synthesizers, and diverse field recordings.

As an independent artist, Maks has released four music albums, over two dozen sample packs, and numerous music videos — both for himself and for Grammy-nominated artists such as BT, Christian Burns, Emma Hewitt, and Kadebostany. His work has been showcased by companies such as Native Instruments, Arturia, FL Studio, M-Audio, Rycote, Loopmasters, Soundiron, Expressive E, Output, CAD Audio, Panasonic, and GoPro. Selected audio and visual projects have been featured in Billboard, AskAudio, Future Music Magazine, Complex Magazine, and UKF.