Belarussian alt-metal act return with their new long player, Aftermath. If you want songs meticulously crafted and delivered, look no further.

Release Date: June 20th 2025

Label: Label 51 Recordings

Format: CD / LP / Digital

A NEW ADDITION

We were bowled over by Mission Jupiter’s previous record, Talk To Me, back in 2021 (review here). Since then there have been some changes within the ranks.

With the addition of dynamic vocalist Kate Varsak, Mission Jupiter have added a whole new dimension to their sound. Whatever your taste is in metal, prog or just solid rock, there are elements of them all on Aftermath, establishing Mission Jupiter as an extremely versatile outfit.

Beginning with Revelation, Kate’s vocals ring out amidst twangy guitar and pounding percussion. Distorted outbursts and chunky licks add to this mesmerising opener. The heat is still turned up high for Sometimes It Hurts but there are calmer melodic moments too. However, the excitement is unrelenting despite the twinkling keyboards planted in when least expected. The pace and tone relaxes but only briefly making Human Nature a real mix of light and heavy.

NATIVE TONGUE

Muso’s will be undeterred when Mission Jupiter move to singing in their native language on Jak Spyniajecca Bol. In fact, it adds an interesting element to the album especially when delivered with celestial vocals. The symphonic opening and crunchy guitar riffs are magnificent.

Bittersweet (Love Song) is the last single from the album. Although about a much anticipated romance the band explain; “She hasn’t found him yet, but already has butterflies in her stomach. What an inspiring feeling!” Mission Jupiter are at their most melodious with appropriately bitter, sweet vocals and intense, stirring guitar work.

TORPEDO LIKE RIFFS

The overall impact is torpedo-like with blistering riffs throughout most of the album . Great percussion and bass propels the band to maintain high intensity. The Dark is a brief cosmic interlude before Nothing Lasts Forever’s tranquil acoustic opening and differing vocal layers display Kate’s versatility and range. It’s very much the calm before the storm as robotic dialogue commences the final track This Is Not The End which builds to a spacy climax.

Apart from a couple of melodious moments the pace is ferocious but the band keep things tight, sharp and sometimes gnarly. Guitarisst Vlad Shavakel is responsible for most of the compositions with drummer Eugene Zuyeu collaborating with the instrumental side. Dmitri Soldatenko enhances things with the saxophone. On the album, Vlad says, ‘We’ve been pouring our hearts into ‘Aftermath’ record. We began working on this album back in early 2022, during a time when Kate Varsak was set to become our new vocalist. Aftermath captures how both people and the world around us have evolved over the past few years. The songs dive deep into the fragility of the human mind and soul in today’s unstable reality.’

One can’t argue with this. Not a note is left behind in the recording studio.

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