Wacken India

"12th December 2010 - The date for the finals of the Indian edition of Wacken Open Air at Kyra theatre, Bangalore. 8 finalists from 4 zones were supposed to be performing at this metal fest, only 4 turned up. Disappointment, one would think? Not really, as the 4 bands which did perform brought the house down with their tight and explosive performances. And who better to judge the bands than Bangalore's very own metal legends - Kryptos. And to make things even sweeter, Kryptos was headlining the event. They were probably the only 'big' Indian band that I hadn't watched live, prior to this event.

Abandoned Agony  from Bangalore started off things with their unique brand of Brutal death metal mixed with spell-binding virtuosity. I would go as far as calling them the Indian version of Suffocation. Yes, that's how good AA are. In my opinion, they should have easily won the competition as the winner gets to play at the mighty Wacken Open Air (The Mecca of Heavy metal) in Germany next year and there was no better band amongst the final four than Abandoned Agony who could represent Indian and be brutally devastating at the same time.

http://www.myspace.com/abandonedagonyind

Eccentric Pendulum (Bangalore) were next and they had a tough act to follow since AA had decimated everything in sight. They started off a little shaky but got better as their setlist progressed. Mid way through their set the skin of the bass drum developed a tear and there was a long and annoying wait of over 45 min before it could be replaced. I took this opportunity to check out Kyra and was really impressed by the venue. If only there could be more Kyras in places like Bombay and Pune, we photographers would die a content death. Awesome stage lighting, great smoke machines, large stage (by underground metal standards) and ample space for a pretty wild moshpit (more on this, later), Kyra has it all. And what's more is that since it's a theatre which is used for other art forms like dramas and stuff, it also has a balcony! Now how many metal venues can boast of that? Coming back to EP's performance, their style is pretty avant-garde and I wish they take it to the next level by adding some unconventional instruments and/or adding a female vocalist. They were my least favourite band of the evening and (un)susprisingly enough, they were the ones to walk out with the prize.

http://www.myspace.com/eccentricpendulum

Goddess Gagged from Mumbai followed Eccentric Pendulum and they came in like a breath of fresh air. Their first track oozed of atmosphere and had a complete Post-rock feel to it. It didn't feel like a metal gig anymore and the great stage lighting of Kyra just added to the atmosphere. These guys classify themselves as Progressive Rock and Alternative Rock and I'd like to add experimental, post and psychedelic subgenres to their resume. A special mention of Arman Menzies is warranted here as this dude in the dread locks mesmerised the crowd with his exceptional guitar skills and his backing vocals. If this were a Rock show, Goddess Gagged would have easily won it, but it was Metal competition and GG don't play metal and it was no surprise that they didn't win. Anyway, keep a look out for this band. They're surely going to make it big.

http://www.myspace.com/goddessgaggedj

The last band of the competition, Silver Tears from Guwahati crowded the stage with 6 members and introduced themselves as a Progressive Metal band. I'm not exaggerating when I say that they were the tightest band of the evening and were scintillating with their virtuosity and mesmerising songwriting skills. Lead guitarist Ishaan Laskar is probably one of the most exciting talents to come out of the country in recent times and the vocalist Girish gives has a sublime Russell Allen touch to his vocals. They're more Symphony X than Dream Theater in their music and are a real treat to watch irrespective of the kind of metal you listen to. Their set was full of mind numbing solos and progressive interludes, a must for every Proghead.
 

 

                                           
       http://www.myspace.com/silvertearsindia

Now that all four bands were done, the legends of the Indian metal, Kryptos came on stage. What I like about these thoroughly professional bands is that they might not be the most skillful musicians, but what they bring to the table is a rubber sealed performance which young bands simply cannot match. Nolan pours his heart out each time he performs and Ryan is a veteran warhorse on the drums. They're so much in sync with each other that it's hard to find any flaws in the music they create. It was a complete treat for NWOBHM fans and Kryptos deserve all the credit they get.

 

 

So yeah, end of the gig and EP were declared winners. One word about the crowd - 'Pathetic'. I haven't seen a more disinterested and boring crowd elsewhere. A kindergarten mosh was created when the 2nd band started playing and I was clicking photographs standing in the centre of the moshpit! Not only that, there were like a handful of people headbanging and the rest were behaving like they had come for a Classical music concert. No enthusiasm at all. Things only got good once Kryptos started playing and this led me to believe that the Bangalore metal crowd only supports bands they know and want to. So much for clichéd and over used 'Headbangalore' title.

All in all, a good gig, great venue, bad crowd and good experience. Had a good time writing this article and reminiscing the performances. Cheers!”

 

Writer & Photography : Xavier D'souza

Tree of Porcupines!

This is a hate song just meant for you
I thought that I'd write it down while I still could
I hope when you hear this you'll want to sue

The above three lines has been ringing in my ear constantly. If you ask, what is the most appealing element about this specific song is that from 0.01 to 9.15, the entire song, just cant stop listening to it.. This blog post is dedicated to porcupine tree’s best song ever.

Porcupine Tree – Hate song



The next song I want to talk about is one that belongs to progressive genre and I feel there is a hint of psychedelic rock in it as well. It is a song which takes you along with it – one of the beautifully crafted and wonderfully molded song that I have ever heard.

Porcupine Tree - Russia on Ice



Talking about a few more songs – Lazarus, Even Less and the Dead Can Dance; these songs are one of the bests Porcupine tree has composed or rather tuned.

Porcupine Tree – Lazarus



Each tune, each pluck of the guitar is something which you will love to hear again and again. I haven’t heard anything like this before which is immaculate.

Porcupine Tree – Even Less



The above song, the first string which is plucked sticks to you as a leach, sucks the blood out of veins and purifies it with the progressive metal which is being played. You can hear them repeatedly as if there is no end to it.

Porcupine Tree – Dead can dance



All said and done Porcupine Tree has turn out to be favorite band for millions of fans across the globe and there is no reason why they aren’t famous, they have done world tours like every other band, but I feel there is something special since I feel there is something trippy about their music.

Long Live Porcupine Tree

Love Live Metal

Rock Forever \m/

Alternative Rock Bands

Legendary Rock Bands? And you hear Metallica, Pink Floyd, Tantric, Disturbed, all ringing in your head. And that’s the same with music maniacs and pseudo music lovers.

Every time these people play, it’s a sensation. The upcoming newer bands would find it real hard to give a fight or even try playing the music of their standards. So that’s when they create a channel for themselves, where they will not be compared to the legends and this category is what has been known to most of us as ‘Alternative Rock’.

This began in the early 90s. Red Hot Chilli Peppers, 3 doors down, The Killers, Pearl Jam, Three Days Grace, are a few bands that have gained popularity under this channel. That’s not all. There are sub categories as well, again another channel to push their popularity.

Here’s miniscule information about the categories.

Grunge Rock: Grunge – used as slang means dirty or filthy. Inspired from hardcore punk, heavy metal and indie rock; grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars with apathetic or angst-filled lyrics.
Hammerbox, Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Peal Jam and many more belong here

Hammerbox – Trip



Britpop: These emerged from the British independent music scene in the early 90s and were influenced by British guitar pop music of the 60s and 70s.During this time in US Grunge was formed, new British bands like Suede and Blur launched the movement by positioning themselves as opposition musical forces. Soon many joined this form and were writing about concerns of the Brit.

Bands like Oasis, Radiohead, The Verve, Coldplay and many more followed the suit and Radiohead especially showed considerably more esoteric influences from the 60s and 70s.

Radiohead – Creep



Gothic Rock: The most notable Gothic rock bands include Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure, etc. Gothic combines dark, often keyboard-heavy music with introspective and depressing lyrics. Gothic is kind of Death rock coupled with spooky atmosphere. There normally play sad and hatred related music.

Bauhaus - Ziggy Stardust



Indie pop: These originated from United Kingdom in the mid 80s and have roots from Scottish post-punk bands. Gorillaz was the one of the bands from a list of 100s who play Indie pop.

Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc.



I do listen to few of these bands and quite like them as these have a good amount of feel and music is good enough. Now this is a personal choice – so you can disagree!

3 Doors Down - Here Without You

Three Days Grace – Riot



Alternative Rock music has been part of my life since I started listening to them from the start and got introduced to rock and time went by got introduced hard rock and then metal. I am sure I will move on, but will always remember my start that began with Alternative Rock!

Love live Rock! Rock Forever!!

\m/

Make up your mind…

Have you ever wondered why is it that a particular song comes to your mind and you feel like hearing it again and again and again? There might be two probabilities in most cases: the music or the compelling lyrics. But there are songs which do not fall in either of the two categories but instead have an added quality to it, the vocals.

One such band which I can recall when it is this third probability is Coheed and Cambria. Their way of singing has been my weakness and some of their songs stick on to me like glue.

Not many have heard about these guys and not many people follow them. Their lyrics aren’t strong and their music is almost mediocre. To be frank, the band is very vulnerable when it comes to lyrics. These guys have released four albums with a not very exceptional sale record. But they do have a few brilliant compositions.

Formed in 2001 in New York, the band is known for their progressive rock, punk rock, heavy metal and post-hardcore (Hardcore punk rock).

What I am talking about is their song “Welcome Home.” The song starts with plucking of the guitars providing an intensity which strikes the brain and flows down to the foot, till the entire body sways with the music. This is no trance I am talking about. There is some kind of energy which flows within when you hear. May be you too will also experience the same while you listen.

Welcome Home



Now this song is very well written, especially the lines which go

One last kiss for you
One more wish to you
Please make up your mind girl
Before I hope you die.

I particularly like that line, who would have thought about “please make up your mind girl, before I hope you die”, after that the guitar goes on till the end, giving a really nice ending to the song. They should have done this often, and as per Myspace and Facebook their new album has been pretty well written and composed. I hope to see the bright side of this band. I am waiting…

Rock Forever
\m/

The Volume and The Beat

Lead, Bass and Drums: When they strike together, a high intensity crazy feeling flows up your veins and your brain's hypnotized. No worries, no thoughts; just a feeling of euphoria and images of strumming guitars and drum strokes. This is me, when I dissolve in a world of music – a world of metal.

When I talk about a few bands here— it means, there are bands that are not ordinary or extraordinary – they are something more than any adjectives could describe. Be it, Sabaton from Sweden for being a pure metal band or Poets of the fall for their alternative rock. Metallica, Elvis Presley and the Rock n Roll legends have inspired many bands. One among them is –Volbeat.

A Danish band from Copenhagen, formed in 2001 and they play Heavy Metal, Alternative Metal & Groove Metal. (PS: Vol for Volume and Beat for Beat.)

In 2005, they were a sensation with their first album The Strength/The Sound/The Songs. They also received Best Album in the Danish Metal Musik Awards the same year. Outstanding reviews spread the word further and that helped them come out with their second album in 2007— the Rebel/Metal the Devil. This was followed by Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood in 2008. This year they are working on a new album called Beyond Hell/Above Heaven.

Not many people would know about Volbeat. But those who do, will agree that the music has the punch to get you head banging and at the same time they can be the ones that leaves you foot tapping. And Michael Poulsen’s voice and experience in Death Metal, is what adds that extra punch.

I Only Wanna Be With You



Looking at the their success in 2005, they released albums in 2007 - Rock the Rebel/Metal the Devil, 2008 - Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood and 2010 they are working on a new album called Beyond Hell/Above Heaven.

Volbeat - Boa (jdm)



Waiting for the 2010 album, I am sure it would be another spectacular one.

Rock Forever \m/

HUMAN CHAOS

Sound checks and tuning in progress, marked the beginning. But my heart with every beat was impatient to get it started. Landing early at Kyra, I was able to catch a glimpse of the pre-event preparation, also giving me a chance to wish the bands good luck. Three Indian bands were supposed to shower metal rain that day after which the real tornado of metal was expected to happen.

Theorized – a Bangalore based metal band kick started the show. Little sluggish in the beginning, but as they played they gained momentum, so did we. Pits were formed and metal head were already drowning in the music. Then came ‘Albatross’. They were head-on. Head banging was reaching its zenith, I thought. They fired the stage with their energy and the singer was just super. O my, what an impression these guys made. These guys recently released their album, ‘Dinner Is You.’

 With time falling short, pace picked up and ‘Devoid’ was on stage in no time. With a screech, Arun Iyer made the crowd grow berserk, added to the drums and guitars doing their bit. The whole atmosphere was now like a metal thunderstorm. Devoid, has come a long way from where they started, bettering with each performance. Their favourite numbers are kick-ass and they make it a point to play them in most of their performance, giving another greater jolt to the already electrifying atmosphere.

Finally, yes finally, it was time for the show stopper, rather intensifier. The Dubai based ‘Nervecell’ were performing for the first time in India. The music was maddening to all metal lovers. Their stage performance – unavoidable to ignore. With their best track ‘Human Chaos’, no one could resist from head banging and being drowned in the metal tornado. Just like Life and Death, which cannot be described, I really can’t say how it feels to be right there.

Human Chaos – Nervecell

This metal tour of Nervecell will be a success and one of the turning paths of their career. Soon they will be the masters of a huge army of fans.

A toast to “Nervecell’ and the other bands played. That was a hell of a metal concert.

Long live “metal heads”

\m/

‘Kick-Ass’ Stuff

When the drums beat, when the strings meet to form the chords, there is a powerful ecstatic music, then all you need is just “HEADBANG” and scream “O hell yeah.” This is what happens to me when a band strikes back with a new album, so powerful that you want to listen to it again and again. I haven’t listened to the entire album, but just the two songs and I tell you something, it feels better than before.

Disturbed – Asylum



This has been a long wait for people like me who just love being ‘Disturbed’. A first glance at this song, you tend to think about the word ‘asylum‘and how you relate to the song, what revolves around it, but for me it has a different meaning all together. It asks us to give us freedom from this asylum world.



















Disturbed - "Another Way To Die



This song is about how we are screwing up our own future, our own planet. And if we don’t foresee this doomed future, humanity will suffer. And because of our negligence we will be the means to the end. Clearly, sends out the message ‘Be ready for the worse to come.’

These two songs are just one of it’s kind and I am sure Disturbed has more to offer. Waiting to get the entire album and just close my eyes and go \m/ headbang.

Long live rock, long live Disturbed.
Rock forever \m/