Dillenia Nova
Dillenia Nova is an Ukrainian symphonic metal band formed in 2022 by keyboardist Overko Martynjuk, formerly of the band Zapadnjuk, together with gothic metal vocalist Horsticia Besselz. After several years of development, the band released its debut studio album, Eyes of the Dragon, in September 2026 and subsequently signed with Guttasolis Records. The author of most of the lyrics and the producer of the band is Oleg Gutsulyak.
The band's music combines symphonic metal with gothic and atmospheric elements, moving between dark fantasy, psychological themes, apocalyptic imagery and contemporary Ukrainian experience. The contrast between monumental orchestration and Besselz's dramatic vocal delivery became one of the band's defining characteristics.
The band is based in Ivano-Frankivsk (Ukraine).
Formation
Dillenia Nova was formed in 2022, at a moment when the idea of music as a form of resistance and testimony was becoming increasingly important to its founders.
Keyboardist Overko Martynjuk had previously been associated with the band Zapadnjuk. His experience with keyboards and electronic arrangements provided the foundation for what would eventually become Dillenia Nova's characteristic symphonic sound: dense orchestral layers, dramatic harmonic progressions and an almost cinematic approach to songwriting.
He was joined by gothic metal singer Horsticia Besselz, whose dark, theatrical vocal style gave the emerging project its distinctive personality.
Rather than attempting to imitate the established European symphonic metal formula, the two musicians conceived Dillenia Nova as a band capable of moving between several worlds: medieval fantasy, gothic horror, personal psychological drama and contemporary history.
The name Dillenia Nova reflected this intention. It suggested both something ancient and botanical and something newly discovered — a combination of archaic imagery and modern transformation that would become central to the band's visual and musical identity.
Early years: 2022–2025
During its early period Dillenia Nova concentrated primarily on developing its musical language rather than immediately pursuing commercial releases.
The band's compositions gradually acquired several recurring motifs:
- monumental orchestral arrangements;
- heavy distorted guitars;
- dramatic keyboard passages;
- gothic female vocals;
- fantasy imagery involving dragons, kingdoms, ancient fortresses and supernatural forces;
- themes of captivity, possession and liberation;
- apocalyptic imagery involving fire, floods and destruction;
- and, increasingly, direct references to the contemporary Ukrainian experience.
The developing repertoire also revealed an important characteristic of the band: its songs frequently transform apparently supernatural stories into metaphors for human conflict.
A possessed body becomes an image of the loss of personal identity. A flooded kingdom becomes a parable about power and its inability to control nature. A dragon becomes a symbol of awakening and transformation.
This approach eventually became the conceptual basis of the band's debut album.
Current
Horsticia Besselz - lead vocals
Tua Ripa - co-lead vocals (session and live)
Overko Martynjuk - keyboards
Julian Pickard – drums
Eduard Burljai– guitars, backing vocals, harsh vocals
Mykhajlo Pogajdak - guitars, backing vocals, harsh vocals
Igor Samuljak – rhythm guitar
Oleg Novak – bass, backing vocals
