Heruvim are not just a band — they are a family. They are united by their love for death metal and the heavy music they create, despite the chaos they currently face.
While writing Mercator, half of the band were abroad, and the other half remained in Odesa, Ukraine. The recording process wasn’t easy. Many studios have shut down, and with the ongoing war, traveling to record was dangerous. Bombings, shrapnel, and forced conscription were constant threats. The government is snatching ordinary people off the streets and sending them to fight in poorly equipped and dangerous conditions, while the rich and powerful remain safe. It’s a war of the poor.
Despite all of this, Heruvim managed to make this album. It wasn’t safe–missiles could strike at any moment, and they were constantly at risk of being taken by the authorities, but they never gave up.
“We used the money we earned from our music to support our friends at the front, getting them the supplies they desperately need to survive. Our goal is simple: help our friends stay alive, keep fighting, and hold the line against those trying to destroy us. The title Mercator means “merchant” in Latin, and it speaks to the power structures that exploit people. The rulers of the world treat us like resources, dealers in lives and souls, driven only by profit and control. We reject that. We believe all forms of power are criminal, and no ruler is truly benevolent. Our music reflects this anger and horror–about the existential terror of our reality and the oppressive machinery behind it.” – Nefarious
Heruvim is:
Kick Flis – Guitar
Nefarious – Vocals/ Guitars
Hot Rod – Bass
Andrii Sarandi – Drums
All songs written by Heruvim.
Recorded at Best Bro and Herrera Music Studios.
Mixed and mastered by Greg Wilkinson.
Odesa, Ukraine. 2024–2025