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Based in Minsk, Belarus, two previous albums by alternative metal act Mission Jupiter have hinted at their potential to be one of the few bands from that territory to achieve lift-off worldwide. Having recruited powerhouse singer Kate Varsak prior to writing and recording their upcoming third album, ‘Aftermath’, the result is a set of dramatic, epic songs with modern production values that should see them soar. Mission Jupiter (Kate Varsak – vocals, Vlad Shvakel – guitars, Eugene Zuyeu – drums) joined us below to discuss ‘Aftermath’.
For those unfamiliar with Mission Jupiter, talk us through the background of the band from the early days to the current line-up.
Mission Jupiter is a band from Minsk, Belarus, formed in 2015. The story of how the band came together is quite remarkable. Originally, the project began as a musical experiment – no one expected it to evolve into something so significant and compositionally mature.
Vlad met the former bass player, Artem Gulyakevich, in 2014 while they were still students. Not long after, Vlad (guitarist and composer) met Nastya, the band’s former vocalist, along with drummer Eugene Zuyeu. That’s how it all started. Bit by bit, we began jamming together, crafting musical ideas that eventually formed the foundation of our debut album, Architecture.
With Nastya and Artem, we released two albums—Architecture in 2018 and Talk to Me in 2021 – laying the groundwork for Mission Jupiter’s signature sound.
In 2022, Kate joined the band, and together we began working on Aftermath. And that’s where our journey continues. In short: MJ’s dramatic songs are framed by a gloomy, modern, and atmospheric sound. We are trying to bring a breath of fresh air to today’s alternative and progressive metal music, combining various sounds, moods, and touching melodies. We blend the raw energy of ’90s rock with the emotional drama of the ’80s + some big synths (of course).
New album ‘Aftermath’ has just been released; what was the album’s gestation period like? Did the songs come together quite easily?
Eugene – The creation of Aftermath was a deep and transformative process for us. It wasn’t something that came together overnight. After our lineup change in 2022, with Kate joining as our new vocalist, we felt a shift in energy – new ideas, new emotions, and a new perspective on our sound.
Some songs came together quite naturally, almost as if they were waiting to be written. Others took more time to shape, as we explored different sonic textures and lyrical themes. We approached this album with a more mature, introspective mindset, reflecting everything we’ve experienced in recent years – both personally and creatively.
Aftermath feels like a rebirth. It carries the DNA of Mission Jupiter, but with a fresh intensity and emotional depth. So yes, parts of it flowed easily, but the overall process was thoughtful and deliberate. We really took the time to craft something that felt honest and resonant.
‘Revelation’ is a fantastic album opener. Was it always going to open the album? The title seems to suggest that it was.
Kate – Thank you! Revelation definitely set the tone for the entire album. From the early stages of writing, it felt like a natural opener. There was something powerful and immediate about it – both musically and lyrically – that made it feel like the beginning of a new chapter for us.
The title itself carries a sense of awakening or unveiling, which fits perfectly with the themes of Aftermath. It’s about confronting truths, inner transformation, and the emotional landscapes that come after chaos or change. So yes, it was very intentional—Revelation was always meant to be the first step into the world of this album.
P.S. The intro perfectly sets the tone, drawing the listener into the journey from the very first moment.
‘Sometimes It Hurts’ quickly follows on from ‘Revelation’ and is one of the catchier moments on the album, with some insane hooks during the chorus. What can you tell us about this one?
Vlad – Thanks! Sometimes It Hurts definitely blends alternative and progressive rock influences with beautiful harmonies and the enchanting voice of Kate Varsak. The protagonist is mentally down, but by the end, he chooses the light side, battling all the negativity.
This track is a classic Mission Jupiter rock anthem, infused with alternative and progressive elements—especially in the second verse, which features a ‘bossa nova’ rhythm, and in the bridge, where spacey textures take over.
‘Crippled Country’ is another highlight, and one that highlights the eclectic nature of the album – the saxophone solo works very well; was it always going to be there, or was it added last-minute?
Eugene – Good question! Initially, we wrote this section as a guitar solo—Vlad even recorded some great draft takes. But then we thought, ‘Hey, why not try it with a saxophone instead?’ And in our opinion, it turned out really well!
Because of the variety found within the 10 tracks on ‘Aftermath’, what band out there at the moment do you feel that Mission Jupiter would be best suited to open for?
Kate – Let’s keep it a secret between us (laughs)!
Does the fact that Belarus borders both Russia and Ukraine affect your songwriting when it comes to subject matter?
Vlad – That’s a really interesting question. Being from Belarus, a country situated between Russia and Ukraine, definitely gives us a unique perspective on the world around us. While our music isn’t political, the emotional and psychological atmosphere of our region inevitably seeps into our songwriting, whether it’s through a sense of longing, tension, hope, or introspection. We try to channel those feelings into our sound, sometimes consciously, sometimes subconsciously. Music has this amazing way of reflecting what’s in the air, even when words don’t say it directly.
Belarus has a reputation for having a diverse music scene. What is the live scene like? How often do you gig?
Eugene – Yes. Belarus definitely has a growing and diverse music scene, with a lot of talented artists experimenting across genres – from indie and electronic to metal and folk (Molchat Doma, for example, a bit overhyped but still cool).
As for us, we don’t gig as often as we’d like – partly due to logistical reasons and partly because we tend to focus a lot on studio work and crafting each release carefully. But whenever we do hit the stage, whether it’s in Belarus or abroad, we put everything into it. We’re hoping to play live shows in 2026 or maybe late 2025, especially with new material on the way! Need some time to prepare everything properly since we are like ‘newcomers’ again!
Music fans in the UK often complain about having to travel a short distance to attend a gig, but one can only imagine the distances that you have had to travel to perform a show. The area surrounding Belarus is vast!
Vlad – We don’t want to sound like total nerds, but let’s be real – our path to success is 5 to 10 times more challenging than that of most European bands, mainly because of logistics and where we’re based. But nothing is impossible. It’s all about having a clear plan, visas, staying focused, and putting in the hard work. We don’t really have another option – this is what we believe in.
What matters most is that we have a goal, and we’ve got some talent to back it up! We know there are people out there waiting for Mission Jupiter to come to Europe, and we’re excited about that! We just need to grow our audience a bit more before we can take that step and bring our live show abroad.
What are the plans for the remainder of 2025 and into 2026?
Kate – We’re planning to release some new singles in early 2026 + plus gigs, gigs, and hopefully even more gigs!
Listen to Mission Jupiter and Aftermath record- https://ffm.bio/missionjupiter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7XA1ciX8lc – Human Nature
