Insania (Czech band)

Insania
Insania in 2022. L–R: Klíma, Poly, Tudy, BlackDrum
Insania in 2022. L–R: Klíma, Poly, Tudy, BlackDrum
Background information
Also known as
  • Skimmed
  • INSANIA & the Aristocracy of New Outlaws
OriginBrno, Czech Republic
Genres
Years active1987–present
Labels
  • Smile Music Records
  • Redblack
Members
  • Petr Pálenský
  • Petr Holubář
  • Radovan Kříž
  • Rostislav Mozga
Past members
  • Martin Vrbík
  • Marek Loučka
  • Jan Krátký
  • Martin Maleček
Websiteinsania.cz

Insania (stylized as 1N54N14 and also known as INSANIA & the Aristocracy of New Outlaws) is a Czech crossover/post-hardcore band from Brno, formed in 1987. It consists of vocalist and guitarist Petr "Poly" Pálenský, keyboard player Petr "Tudy" Holubář, bassist Radovan "Klíma" Kříž, and drummer Rostislav "BlackDrum" Mozga. As of 2025, they have released ten studio albums, three EPs, and one live record. They have won Anděl Awards for four of their albums.

History

Early years (1987–1990)

The original Insania lineup in Obřany, Brno, in 1988. L–R: Vrba, Poly, Malcev

Insania was founded in 1987 in Brno, in the former Czechoslovakia (present-day Czech Republic), by guitarist/singer Petr "Poly" Pálenský, bassist Martin "Vrba" Vrbík, and drummer Martin "Malcev" Maleček.[1] After several concerts, their activity was stopped by the secret state police in 1988.[1][2] The band continued to rehearse under the name Skimmed, and after the Velvet Revolution, in 1990, they released their debut studio album, New Insanity, under the combined title of Insania and Skimmed.

R.U.DEAD? and Crossfade (1992–1994)

Insania in 1994. L–R: Poly, Calvera, BlackDrum

In 1992, the group resumed its activity under the name Insania, this time with drummer Rostislav "BlackDrum" Mozga, whom Poly had met while playing guitar with the black metal band Root, and bassist Marek Loučka. After releasing the demo R.U.Dead? the same year and the EP Vertigo a year later, in 1994, they issued their first studio album as Insania, titled Crossfade.[3] A video was produced for the opening track, "Zimní varování".[4] After Loučka left, he was replaced by Jan "Calvera" Krátký.

God Is Insane ...Join Him!, Virtu-Ritual, US tour (1995–2000)

Insania in 1997. L–R: Klíma, Poly, BlackDrum
Insania during its 1999 US tour, photographed in Sequoia National Park. L–R: Poly, Klíma, BlackDrum

In 1996, Insania released their second album, God Is Insane ... Join Him!,[5] with a video for the song "Snigger".[6] This was followed by Virtu-ritual in 1998 and a video for "Máj".[7] Subsequent to a US tour in 1999,[8] the band published the album Recycling & Live in Seattle in 2000,[9] which includes five rerecorded tracks from Crossfade, nine live takes, two new songs, recorded in Seattle, and three remixes.[10][11] Around this time, the group issued a polemical statement titled Manifesto of the Aristocracy of the New Outcasts and began calling themselves INSANIA & the Aristocracy of New Outlaws, so as to be distinguished from the Swedish power metal band Insania.[11][12][13] In addition, the following year, a 16-track remix album by various DJs, titled Tamto remixuje Insanii, came out.[11][14]

Trans-Mystic Anarchy, OUT (2001–2006)

Insania in 2001. L–R: Poly, Klíma, BlackDrum

On 15 January 2001, Insania released its fourth studio album, Trans-Mystic Anarchy,[15][16][17] and followed it with OUT in 2004.[2][18][19][20] Two videos were produced for that album: "Letíme dál"[21] and "It's Easy to Fall in Hate".[22]

Rock'n'Freud, Kult Hyeny (2007–2012)

Promotional photo for Rock'n'Freud (2007). L–R: BlackDrum, Klíma, Poly, Tudy
Insania in 2012. L–R: Klíma, Poly, BlackDrum, Tudy

In 2007, Insania issued the album Rock 'n' Freud, which won an Anděl award in the Hard & Heavy category.[23][24] Until OUT, the band's lyrics had been a mix of English and Czech; all subsequent releases have been sung entirely in Czech.[25][1] It spawned two singles, "Je mrtvá"[26] and "Večer, kdy Freud zpíval basem",[27] with accompanying music videos.

The band's next record was Kult hyeny (2010), for which two videos were produced:[28][29] "Volný radikál"[30] and "Pověsíme celebrity!"[31]

Zapal dům poraž strom..., Na počátku byl spam (2013–2019)

Insania in the video for "Božská komedie" from Zapal dům poraž strom... (2013)
Adéla Elbel in the video for "Ať kypí žluč", from Na počátku byl spam (2017)


The band's eighth studio album, Zapal dům poraž strom..., was released in November 2013. Reviewing it for Novinky.cz, journalist Jaroslav Špulák described the band's style as "forceful indie rock with pop overlaps", while praising the album's strong melodies and attractive lyrics.[32] The record was very well received overall, winning two Anděl awards in the Hard & Heavy and Punk & Hardcore categories.[23][33][34] Two music videos were produced to promote it: "Božská komedie"[35] and the animated "Ať shoří v pekle všechny kapely světa!"[36]

In 2017, Insania issued Na počátku byl spam.[37] The CD version included bonus remixes by Jan Vozáry, Vladivojna La Chia, Bodyia, Jan P. Muchow, and Midi Lidi. The record was praised for its hooks, black humour, and sound, though some critics argued that it showed little stylistic development and was less sharp musically and lyrically than earlier albums.[38][39] Videos followed for "Joe si nepohlídal záda"[40] and "Ať kypí žluč".[41]

GRRRotesky, upcoming album (2020–present)

Still from the video for "Jedeme peklo", from GRRRotesky (2023)

In 2020, Insania released a lyric video for the song "Haka starýho Nicka"[42] and an animated one for "Bomba v kabaretu".[43] The album GRRRotesky followed in February 2022,[44][45][46] winning that year's Anděl award in the Rock category.[23][47][48][25][49] Videos from the album included "Vytěsňuju",[50] "Narvi svůj testosteron jinam",[51] "Nasyp to do mě",[52] "Placatej svět",[53] and "Jedeme peklo".[54]

In 2023, the band performed at Rock for People in Hradec Králové.[55]

In March 2025, they released a music video for a new song, titled "Cukr a Bitch", from their upcoming, yet untitled album.[56] The band stated that the new record was planned for release in late 2026.[57]

Kacířův kancionál

An open copy of Kacířův kancionál (2019)

In April 2019, the band's frontman, Petr "Poly" Pálenský, published the book Kacířův kancionál ("the heretic's hymnbook"), which combines poetry, lyrics inspired by the work of Insania, social commentary, and graphic elements.[58][59] It includes motifs from religion, philosophy, and pop culture, and features historical and allegorical figures, such as Friedrich Nietzsche, Umberto Eco, God, the Devil, as well as coded references to the work of Jaroslav Foglar. The interactive publication includes hidden elements only accessible via a proprietary mobile app.[59]

Band members

Current

  • Petr "Poly" Pálenský – vocals, guitar
  • Petr "Tudy" Holubář – keyboards
  • Radovan "Klíma" Kříž – bass
  • Rostislav "BlackDrum" Mozga – drums

Past

  • Martin "Vrba" Vrbík
  • Marek Loučka
  • Jan "Calvera" Krátký
  • Martin Maleček

Discography

Studio albums

  • Crossfade (1994)
  • God Is Insane ... Join Him! (1996)
  • Virtu-ritual (1998)
  • Trans-Mystic Anarchy (2001)
  • OUT (2004)
  • Rock 'N' Freud (2007)
  • Kult hyeny (2010)
  • Zapal dům poraž strom... (2013)
  • Na počátku byl spam (2017)
  • GRRRotesky (2022)

EPs

  • Vertigo (1993)
  • Caught Red-Handed (1995)
  • Woodoo Astrology (1997)

Other albums

  • R.U.Dead? (demo, 1992)
  • Recycling & Live in Seattle (2000)
  • Tamto remixuje Insanii (remixes, 2001)

Awards

  • Anděl award, Hard & Heavy – Rock 'n' Freud (2007)
  • Anděl Award, Hard & Heavy – Zapal dům poraž strom... (2013)
  • Anděl Award, Punk & Hard Core – Zapal dům poraž strom... (2013)
  • Anděl Award, Rock Album of the Year – GRRRotesky (2022)

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Insania (Skimmed) – Česká televize – Bigbít" [Insania (Skimmed) – Czech Television – Big Beat]. Česká televize (in Czech). Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  2. 1 2 Špulák, Jaroslav (16 March 2004). "Skupina Insania má novinku OUT" [The band Insania has a new release – OUT]. Novinky.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  3. ↑ Johan (7 November 2011). "Insania – Crossfade". Fobiazine (in Czech). Retrieved 18 January 2026.
  4. ↑ "Insania – Zimní varování / Winter Warning". YouTube (in Czech). INSANIA – 1N54N14. 1 June 2007. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
  5. ↑ Bury (9 May 2022). "Insania – God Is Insane ... Join Him!". Fobiazine (in Czech). Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  6. ↑ "Insania – Snigger". YouTube (in Czech). 2 June 2007. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  7. ↑ "Insania – Maj / May (oficiální videoklip)" [Insania – Maj / May (official music video)]. YouTube (in Czech). Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  8. ↑ "Provedeme tě naším webovým rájem i peklem!" [We will guide you through our web paradise and hell!]. insania.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  9. ↑ "Insania (CZE) – Recycling & Live in Seattle [Compilation]". metalstorm.net. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  10. ↑ "Insania – Recycling & Live in Seattle". MetalStorm.net. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  11. 1 2 3 DarthArt (24 June 2017). "Insania – Recycling and Live in Seattle". Crazy Diamond (in Czech). Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  12. ↑ {{cite web |last=Oliva |first=Ladislav |title=Visací Zámek – Punkový království |url=https://www.fobiazine.net/article/8731/visaci-zamek-punkovy-kralovstvi |website=Fobiazine.net |date=28 May 2015 |access-date=29 January 2026 |language=cs} |trans-title=Visací Zámek – punk kingdom}
  13. ↑ Kocábek, Antonín (26 September 2000). "Podzem 2/2000" [Underground 2/2000]. Musicserver.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  14. ↑ Johan (10 March 2012). "Insania – tvrdé, drzé HC metal od roku 87" [Insania – hard, brash HC metal from 87]. Fobiazine.net (in Czech). Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  15. ↑ Shnoff (6 February 2002). "Insania – Trans/Mystic Anarchy". Metalopolis (in Czech). Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  16. ↑ "Insania – Trans Mystic Anarchy". Fobiazine (in Czech). 11 January 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  17. ↑ Kreč, Luboš (11 April 2002). "Intelligent Wits and Anarchists". Musicserver.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  18. ↑ Shnoff (16 March 2004). "Insania – Out". Metalopolis (in Czech). Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  19. ↑ Kreč, Luboš (13 May 2004). "Amorfní originalita astrální Insanie" [The amorphous originality of the astral Insania]. Musicserver (in Czech). Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  20. ↑ Slezák, Milan (10 April 2004). "Insania: Out". Muzikus (in Czech). Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  21. ↑ "Insania – Letíme dál". YouTube. Bandzone.cz. 5 November 2009. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  22. ↑ "Insania – It's Easy to Fall in Hate (YouTube video)". YouTube. 3 June 2007. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  23. 1 2 3 "Výsledky ročníků cen Anděl" [Yearly results of the Anděl Awards]. andelceny.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  24. ↑ "Rock'n'Freud". X Production Music (in Czech). Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  25. 1 2 Hricko, Ondřej (8 March 2022). "Insania: Sluší nám ten kultovní status kapely, která není pro masy" [Insania: We deserve the cult status of a band that is not for the masses]. Musicserver (in Czech). Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  26. ↑ "Insania – Je mrtvá / She's dead". YouTube (in Czech). INSANIA – 1N54N14. 1 June 2007. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  27. ↑ "Insania – Večer, kdy Freud zpíval basem". YouTube (in Czech).
  28. ↑ Ladislav Oliva (30 August 2010). "Insania – Kult hyeny (recenze)" [Insania – Kult hyeny (review)]. Vinyl Disk Musick (in Czech). Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  29. ↑ "Insania". Czech Death Fest (in Czech). Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  30. ↑ "Insania – Volný radikál (official video)". YouTube (in Czech). 18 June 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  31. ↑ Insania – 1N54N14 (18 May 2011). "Insania – Pověsíme celebrity!". YouTube (in Czech). Retrieved 3 July 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  32. ↑ Špulák, Jaroslav (1 February 2014). "Recenze: Insania je rozpínavá a moderní" [Review: Insania is expansive and modern]. Novinky.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  33. ↑ ČTK, fas (29 March 2014). "V žánrových Andělech nejvíce bodovalo album kapely Insania Zapal dům poraž strom" [In the genre Anděls, the album by the band Insania, Zapal dům poraž strom..., scored the highest.]. Hospodářské noviny (in Czech). Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  34. ↑ Johan (17 March 2014). "Insania proměnila dvě nominace v cenách Anděl a představuje další singl "Sfoukni za mě svíci"" [Insania turns in two nominations at the Anděl Awards and presents another single "Sfoukni za mě svěci"]. Fobiazine (in Czech). Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  35. ↑ "Insania – Božská komedie". YouTube (in Czech). INSANIA – 1N54N14. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  36. ↑ "Insania – Ať shoří v pekle všechny kapely světa!". YouTube (in Czech). INSANIA – 1N54N14. 1 March 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  37. ↑ "Insania – Na počátku byl spam [LP, 2017]". Fobiazine (in Czech). 6 September 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  38. ↑ "Recenze: Na počátku byl spam. Insania tvrdě provokuje" [Review: Na počátku byl spam. Insania provokes hard]. ČT24 (in Czech). Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  39. ↑ "Insania – Na počátku byl spam". Echoes Zine. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  40. ↑ INSANIA – 1N54N14 (19 September 2017). "Insania – Joe si nepohlídal záda – YOUTUBE video". YouTube (in Czech). Retrieved 6 January 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  41. ↑ INSANIA – 1N54N14 (3 April 2018). "Insania & Adéla Elbel – Ať kypí žluč – YOUTUBE video". YouTube (in Czech). Retrieved 6 January 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  42. ↑ INSANIA – 1N54N14 (8 March 2020). "Insania – Haka starýho níka – YOUTUBE video". YouTube (in Czech). Retrieved 6 January 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  43. ↑ INSANIA – 1N54N14 (20 September 2020). "INSANIA – Bomba v kabaretu (video, singl 2020) – YOUTUBE video". YouTube (in Czech). Retrieved 6 January 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  44. ↑ Göth, Jindřich (1 March 2022). "Petr Pálenský: Píšeme věci, které by jiní nevyslovili" [Petr Pálenský: We write things that others would not say]. iDNES.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  45. ↑ "Insania – GRRRotesky (recenze)" [Insania – GRRRotesky (review]. Crazy Diamond (in Czech). Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  46. ↑ Louis (31 March 2022). "INSANIA – GRRRotesky". Metalopolis (in Czech). Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  47. ↑ "Kapela Insania s albem GRRRotesky získala cenu Anděl" [The band Insania won the Anděl award with their album GRRRotesky]. iDNES.cz (in Czech). 27 June 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  48. ↑ "Insania – GRRRotesky Review". Fobiazine (in Czech). 28 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  49. ↑ Redakce (18 April 2023). "Insania vyhrála Anděla a vydá v reedici minulou desku" [Insania won the Anděl award and will reissue their previous album]. Musicserver.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  50. ↑ "Insania – Vytěsňuju". YouTube (in Czech). INSANIA – 1N54N14. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  51. ↑ ""Narvi svůj testosteron jinam" – oficiální videoklip" ["Narvi svůj testosteron jinam" – official music video]. YouTube (in Czech). INSANIA – 1N54N14. 18 March 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  52. ↑ "Insania – Nasyp to do mě (official video)". YouTube (in Czech). Smile Music. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  53. ↑ "Insania – Placatej svět (Official Video)". YouTube (in Czech). Smile Music. 29 April 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  54. ↑ "Insania – Jedeme peklo (oficiální videoklip)". YouTube (in Czech). Smile Music. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  55. ↑ "Rock for People 2023 – History". rockforpeople.cz. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  56. ↑ Insania – Cukr a Bitch (Official Video). youtube.com. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  57. ↑ "Aktuality" [News]. Insania (official website) (in Czech). Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  58. ↑ "Kacířův kancionál". kaciruvkancional.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  59. 1 2 "Kniha pro ty, kdož stojí mimo zdi kostela (Kacířův kancionál)" [A book for those who stand outside the church walls (Heretic's Hymnbook)]. fullmoonzine.cz (in Czech). 24 July 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
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