On May 30th at Vidas Art Arena, we will hear the Sofian folk metal band KHANЪ. They will present their new album, „Битка“. The band has interesting music and a strong stage presence. For more than 15 years, KhanЪ has been building a recognizable style, combining traditional Bulgarian and Balkan music with rock and metal, and their sound features bagpipes, kaval, tambourine, oud, and saz with heavy guitar riffs and powerful drums. The subject matter covers both historical plots and social and personal themes, presented through the band’s characteristic artistic style.

The concert will start with Verya duo.
Verya is an ethereal fantasy and world-folk duo consisting of soprano Maria Anastassova and harpist Ivayla Todorova. They play video game soundtracks (such as “The Witcher” 3 and “Baldur’s Gate” 3), Celtic music, and medieval/folk arrangements. 

The next band will be Baildsa from Thessaloniki, Greece. Formed in 2007, the band’s music is a mixture of gypsy punk, reggae and ska mixed with Balkan elements. Their music combines vocals, guitars, bass, and drums along with trumpets and accordion. Baildsa have performed in Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Turkey. Their first album, “United States of Balkans”, was released in October 2011 and can be downloaded for free from the band’s website.

The culmination of the evening will be the band KHANЪ, presenting their new album „Битка“.
KHANЪ was formed in early 2009 by Simeon Krastev (guitar) and Nikola Petrov (bass). The two created the first complete composition – “Самодивски гняв” and next they found like-minded people to fill the band. With its energetic stage behavior, uneven rhythms, heavy guitar riffs and memorable breakdowns, KHANЪ managed to build its own signature and create an authentic sound. In March 2011, they recorded “Небе”, their song that won the competition for young bands at the capital’s club The Box. After changes in the lineup, the band recorded the EP “Правда”. In January 2016, their first full-length album “Знамение” was released. In the spring, they embarked on a tour in support of the album. They also participated in the festivals “Valentine’s Massacre”, “WOA Metal Battle Bulgaria 2016”, “Sea Of Black Festival” – Burgas, “Moga Fest” – Etropole, “We Are Going To Maglizh” and “Pleven Metal Fest”. In June 2019, the band released a new EP, entitled “Open Your Eyes”.

KHANЪ’s current line-up:
Dimitar Proynov – guitar (2011-present)
Zdravko Peev – tambourine (2011-present)
Kamen Popov- bagpipes (2016-present)
Anton Ivanov – bass, vocals (2018-present)
Leafy – vocals (2024-present)
Alexander Nikolaev – drums (2024-present)

Discography:
Буря – 2013 (single)
Правда – 2015 (EP)
Знамение – 2016 (album)
Отвори очи – 2019 (EP)
We Rock for Ukraine – 2022 (V.A. compilation)
Старо зло – 2022 (single)
Вера – 2023 (single)
Слънцата на Момчил – 2023 (single)
Слънцата на Момчил – 2023 (EP)
Гергана – 2026 (single)