JUODVARNIS is a Lithuanian progressive metal band that has been constantly evolving since its formation in 2011. Over the years, the band has released four full-length albums, continuously expanding their sonic boundaries and exploring new territories within metal and beyond. Their distinctive sound is shaped by the Lithuanian language—one of the oldest living languages in the world—and delves into themes exposing the darkest corners of human nature and the ever-shifting, unsettling reality that surrounds us.
In 2014, JUODVARNIS released their debut full-length album Šauksmai Iš Praeities (Cries from the Past), which quickly gained strong local recognition. That same year, the band performed at major metal festivals in Lithuania, played shows in neighboring countries, and won the national Wacken Metal Battle, earning a spot on the legendary Wacken Open Air lineup. Following an intense summer of live shows, the band immediately began work on their next release.
Their second album, Mirusio Žmogaus Kelionė (Journey of a Dead Man), was released independently in February 2016 and supported by a tour. Marking a clear shift in sound, the album moved further into progressive territory while still retaining traces of folk and orchestral elements. Complex time signatures, dynamic tempo changes, and a more ambitious songwriting approach defined the release. Conceptual in nature, Mirusio Žmogaus Kelionė tells the story of a man’s death and rebirth, with each track representing a chapter in the protagonist’s journey. While the album did not receive wide international attention, it laid the creative foundation for what was yet to come.
Between 2016 and 2019, JUODVARNIS went through lineup changes but never stopped writing. After a two-year creative process, a new body of work emerged: Nerimo Dienos (Days of Disquiet). Recorded and mixed throughout 2019–2020 and mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios, the album was released on August 28, 2020 via Dangus Records.
An intense, nearly hour-long opus, Nerimo Dienos was met with strong fan reception and remains the band’s best-selling release to date. Released during the COVID-19 pandemic, the album fittingly explores the human condition through themes of fear, anxiety, anger, loss, and pain. Musically, the band further distanced themselves from folk influences, forging a sound that was entirely their own—raw, aggressive, melodic, immersive, and relentlessly engaging.
Although extensive touring was impossible during the pandemic, JUODVARNIS still managed to present the album live in several cities across Lithuania. Once restrictions were lifted, the band resumed touring across Europe in support of the release. In March 2023, JUODVARNIS performed in Kyiv, Ukraine, showing solidarity with the citizens of the war-stricken nation.
In 2024, the band released the single Svoris, marking the beginning of a new creative chapter. It was followed by two more singles, Juodos Akys and Laikui Varvant, released in 2025. Each single was accompanied by an immersive music video, significantly expanding the band’s audience and visibility. During breaks in writing their next album, JUODVARNIS surprised fans with an intimate all-acoustic performance held inside a former prison. The candle-lit show, with extremely limited tickets, offered a unique and exclusive experience for the band’s most dedicated followers. A recording of the concert is planned for a vinyl release in 2026–2027.
On January 23, 2026, JUODVARNIS independently released their fourth studio album, Tėkmės (The Streams), in digital, CD, and vinyl formats. Continuing the thematic exploration introduced in Nerimo Dienos, Tėkmės is both extreme and diverse in its sonic language while remaining deeply personal and relatable in its lyrical content. With this release, JUODVARNIS entered a new chapter—one that continues to unfold.