UPDATED: A Running List of Ways That Metalheads Can Donate to Ukraine
In the poem ‘For whom the bell tolls,’ from which Hemingway and by extension Metallica got the phrase, John Donne wrote, “Each man’s death diminishes me,/For I am involved in mankind.” Such is the case of the community that we have built around ourselves with heavy metal. As metalheads, we are lucky to be part of an international body, united across borders and boundaries by our love of this music. So when a nation and its people suffer egregiously at the hands of another, we all suffer. Such is the case right now, with Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Sometimes, it can seem like the individual efforts by bands and artists to benefit Ukraine are overwhelming in number. So in order to make it easier for all of us to aid Ukrainians, here is a list of artist efforts to help the Ukraine, with Band Offerings up top and Bandcamp Offerings below. We’ll update this regularly, so check in on Mondays and Fridays to make sure you’re up to speed.
Everyone at MetalSucks sends their heart out to the people of Ukraine during this difficult time.
Band Offerings
Ukrainian hard rockers Jinjer are selling exclusive shirts with 100% of the proceeds going to charities in Ukraine. Check them out here.
Polish death metallers Behemoth are selling rare and limited merch items, with all proceeds going to help the Ukrainian people. Buy them here.
Russian punk rock activists Pussy Riot have partnered with UkraineDAO to sell NFTs, with proceeds going to the war relief. Find the link via the company’s Twitter.
Japanese drummer and songwriter Yoshiki of visual kei act X Japan is raising money for the war effort. Find more info via his Twitter.
Prosthetic Records have released a label sampler and a series of rare test-pressings, with all proceeds going to UNICEF.
Polish metallers Decapitated‘s guitarist Vogg has set up a PayPal for donations to help him with supplies at the border of Ukraine and Poland, at [email protected].
Finnish melodeath act Insomnium are selling a shirt with all proceeds going to UNICEF. Find out more here.
Irish thrashers Gama Bomb have released a T-shirt that benefits UNICEF’s Ukraine Crisis Fund. It can be purchased here.
Serge Streltsov of Ukrainian death metallers Selfgod is selling rare and signed items from his personal collection to help refugees in Poland.. They can be purchased here.
Former Tribulation guitarist Jonathan Hulten is selling his new single “Dance of the Water Spirits,” with proceeds going to the International Committee of the Red Cross. It can be purchased at his Bandcamp.
Bandcamp Offerings
The following albums and compilation records are being sold on Bandcamp, with proceeds going to benefit Ukraine.
- Wombbath, The Weight of Reality EP – Benefits UNHCR
- Jordan Ruddess, Sunflower EP – Benefits CARE
- Slava Ukraini! Compilation, featuring Ulver, Youth, and more – Benefits the International Committee of the Red Cross
- Brutality Against War compilation, featuring VHS, Kraanium, and more – Benefits the Ukrainian Red Cross.
- All For One Compilation, featuring Evil Hunter, Merciless Law, and more – Benefits Reporters Without Borders.
- When Reality Fades Vol. I Compilation, featuring Expulsed, Esophagus and more – Benefits “Ukraine and its people”
- Underground Resistance: In Aid of Ukraine Compilation, featuring Thurios of Drudkh, Nefarous Dusk, and more – Benefits British Ukrainian Aid
