From thrash to stardom: Wolnera forges his own path

Wolnera is a band from Vranov nad Topľou. They are formed by the "holy trinity" of musicians — Ľubo Luterán (guitar, bass guitar, vocals), Ľubomír Baran (guitar, backing vocals), and Lukáš Husivarga (drums) — and represent a project that refuses to remain confined within genre boundaries, instead building its own musical identity.

Since their formation, the band has undergone a noticeable evolution. Their debut album Product of Fear (2023) was built on straightforward thrash metal energy, dominated by rawness, speed, and technical precision. Even then, however, it was clear that Wolnera did not intend to stay within a single sound.

Their second album Building Reality (2025) showed a significant shift toward a more progressive and technical death metal approach. The compositions are more complex, the atmosphere heavier, and the overall sound more modern. The band themselves admit that this development is natural — they are constantly evolving both musically and personally.

Looking to the future, they hint at an even greater departure from "retro" elements and an effort to create a more modern, perhaps more accessible, yet still authentic sound.

If they had to describe their music as a single mood, it would not be a simple image. Their sound is more of a process — "a search for answers to questions aimed at understanding oneself and the world." This introspective layer is reflected in both the lyrics and the musical atmosphere, which balances between chaos and control.

Although their beginnings were influenced by legends such as Metallica, today Wolnera feels closer to modern bands. Among the acts they would like to share a stage with are names like Gojira, Sleep Token, and Lorna Shore. These contemporary projects motivate them to push their own boundaries and experiment further.

Interestingly, the band is deliberately trying to move away from the "retro" character that was more present in their early work. Their goal is to create something current, original, and unclassifiable.

The songwriting process in Wolnera has no fixed formula. Sometimes songs emerge spontaneously during jam sessions, other times they are carefully planned. In the past, they worked under the pressure of limited studio time, which forced them to arrive fully prepared.

In the future, however, they plan to allow more freedom — more space for experimentation, trying different versions, and shaping the final result directly in the studio.

Wolnera sees themselves playing the biggest stages and festivals, believing that their potential has no limits. "The ceiling does not exist," they say. And it is precisely this ambition, combined with a willingness to constantly evolve, that may become their strongest weapon.

The band is currently working on new material, but is keeping details under wraps for now. One thing is certain, however — fans should not expect a return to thrash or a retro sound. And we are already very much looking forward to it, hoping to bring you more news about it in an upcoming article.