Ukrainian riot grrrl trio Death Pill provide update ahead of hometown show in Kyiv this week
Following on from their short Euro tour and appearance at the LOUD WOMEN fest in September 2025, Mariana, Natalia and Anastasiia once again went their separate ways to rest, regroup and plan. With so much going on in the world today it’s easy to forget that the war in Ukraine has now entered its fourth year, with no real end in sight.
For the band, and indeed any musicians in Ukraine the only thing to do is get on with life as much as is possible.
And such is the bond between these three women ‘getting on with it’ is always the driver, irrespective of the fact that they are in separate countries. When they told us of their latest plan to play a gig in Kyiv, we had to share it. The last time they managed that was a one-off show in 2023 prior to their first ever tour outside Ukraine, a part of which was captured in the video for ‘Monsters’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbvbiWHHB14
Plus, Dan Baskerville’s documentary film of the UK leg of that 2023 tour is available to view/stream over at Doc ‘N’ Roll TV.
https://www.docnrollfestival.com/docn-roll-tv/
Now, over to Death Pill for the latest.
“There’s been a long-standing idea within Death Pill — to bring the band back home to Kyiv. It’s something we’ve spoken about for years, trying to fit it between tours, schedules, and life in different countries. But it always felt complicated, like something that would need “the right moment.
After our UK/EU tour in 2025, we made a conscious decision to slow down — for the first time in a while, there was space to think about something more personal.
Around the same time, Nataliia planned her first trip home in three years, timing it around Easter to see family. Anastasiia also tries to return to Ukraine whenever she can, despite everything. Somehow, all of this aligned — and the idea of a Kyiv show stopped being abstract and became real.
Mariana, still based in Kyiv, has been carrying that connection to the city every day — and this show is something she’s been deeply, genuinely excited to finally make happen.
In the current reality of war, organising a gig is not just about logistics — it’s about intention. This show is not meant to be big or flashy, that didn’t feel right. Instead, we chose something closer to who we are.
The show will take place on 4th April at Теплий Ламповий (Tepliy Lampoviy — literally “Warm & Cozy”) a venue that carries its own history for the band. It’s where, about five years ago, Mariana and Anastasiia first asked Nataliia if she wanted to join Death Pill. Coming back to this space now feels like closing a circle.
When planning the show, we also knew we couldn’t approach it like a regular concert. In the current situation, trying to treat it as just another gig feels out of place — even painful. So, we decided to make it a charity show, with all proceeds going to the Front + Rear Foundation. It felt like the only honest way to do it — to keep the night meaningful not just for us, but for something bigger than us.
The lineup is just as personal: — Zombie Attack, our close friends
— Terrorscum, a band tied even closer to us
No distance, no hierarchy — just people who share the same scene, the same history.
For us, playing in Kyiv now is something deeply meaningful. It’s not just a concert — it’s a moment of return. Even briefly, it brings back a sense of life as it used to be. Seeing friends, being together, feeling present.
War changes your understanding of things. You realise how simple happiness actually is — having your health, your home, and your people nearby. That’s enough.
This show is also a chance to reconnect with family — to see loved ones who remain in Kyiv, including grandparents who have chosen to stay despite everything. It’s not an easy decision, but it’s theirs, and we understand it.
So, for us this gig is small but special. It doesn’t matter how many gigs and tours you’ve made, you still belong to and are proud of your local scene.”
Tickets – https://toptickets.com.ua/events/death-pill
We only wish New Heavy Sounds could be there with them. However, Death Pill being the kind of hard working ‘pro’ outfit that they are, they’ve hatched a plan to provide a few extras. Something brand new … as Natalia says.
“It’s fabulous how 4-hour rehearsal can be helpful and productive – be ready we are dropping a single soon.”
Plus, a video of that song/single captured live at the gig.
Hold on to your hats because one thing is for certain.
Nothing’s gonna keep Death Pill down.
Follow online:
https://www.facebook.com/deathpillband
