Ukrainian metal drummer Mykola Sostin (also known as Amorth) has died fighting for his country in its ongoing war with Russia. The 39-year-old musician’s passing was announced by Oleksii Kovalev, guitarist of the band Zavod, via a post on Instagram.
“One of the best drummers of Ukraine, an ambassador of joy on Earth, a part of the history of Ukrainian black metal, and the band SOOM — Kolya Amorth — has fallen in battle,” wrote Kovalev.
Amorth first made his name in the acclaimed black metal band Drudkh, appearing on three of their albums from 2004 to 2006. He also played in the doom metal outfit Soom, as well as the bands Astrofaes, Underdark, and Nokturnal Mortum, among others.
He had been a member of the black metal/punk band Zavod (Заводь) up until joining the Ukrainian army earlier this year. According to Encyclopaedia Metallum, Amorth “joined the army in August 2024” and “served in the 25th separate airborne brigade of the Airborne Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”
Our condolences go out to Mykola Sostin’s family, friends, and bandmates during this difficult time. Hear his playing in the YouTube clips below.