Russian band Shortparis releases ‘Iliada,’ its first album since the death of singer Nikolai Komyagin
On October 9, Shortparis released “Iliada” (“Iliad”), their first album since vocalist Nikolai Komyagin died in February 2026. Its sound is unusual for the band, and its lyrics are probably the most candid in their catalog. Music critic Artyom Makarsky explores how “Iliada” differs from the band’s earlier recordings and how some of its lyrics might be interpreted.
On October 9, Russian band Shortparis unveiled their debut album in two years, titled "Iliada" ("Iliad"). The album, released following the death of vocalist Nikolai Komyagin in February 2026, diverges significantly from the band's previous work. Music critic Artyom Makarsky delves into the album's unique sound and candid lyrics, which may resonate differently from the group's earlier releases.
Unlike other Russian-language posthumous albums, such as Andy Cartwright's and Yung Trappa's, Shortparis took their time to complete "Iliada," spending the past two years working on the project. The band's change in style is evident, with acoustic keyboards replacing synthesizers and horns appearing sporadically as they progress toward epic rock.
The album explores three main lyrical themes: death, silence, and doubt. Death is the first major theme, appearing in the opening song's first line, "The dead will no longer fall into line." This theme continues in "Poy so mnoy" ("Sing With Me"), where birch trees stained with soldiers' blood and subway advertisements featuring dead soldiers are depicted. Despite the presence of fireworks, the theme of death remains prominent throughout the album.
Silence is the second major theme, with the protagonist repeatedly reflecting on his inaction. Lines such as "I’ll be peaceful, I’ll be meek, I’ll be faithful, a galley slave" and "Hear that growling? That’s our silence" emphasize the theme. Doubt is the third theme, as the protagonist questions the sincerity of his songs and wonders if he has been singing about the wrong things.
While Shortparis had previously experimented with glam rock, such as their cover of David Bowie's "All the Young Dudes," "Iliada" represents a more natural progression in their musical journey. The band's previous album, "Rodnaya zemlya" ("Native Land"), featured horns, hinting at the direction they would take with "Iliada." However, the new album's bleak world and clear stance on war make it Shortparis' most direct album to date.
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