Feature – Demonic Resurrection: We want to show the world Indian metal bands can kick ass too

Abhijeet Ahluwalia

A revolution has happened in Indian music, and most people have not even realised it. If I told you that a band had released an album which had top-notch production, artwork by the same man who’s worked with Nile, came in a special box-set with t-shirts and assorted merchandise, and that said band was going to hit European festivals to support it – you could safely assume this was just another month in the life of any international metal band. DevilDriver or Lamb Of God, maybe?

Wrong.

Gig Review: Sylosis, Ted Maul, Anterior, Savage Messiah @The Garage, 16 Dec 2009

Abhijeet Ahluwalia

16 Dec 2009 saw London’s Relentless Garage host metal festivities with Savage Messiah, Anterior, Ted Maul and headliners Sylosis.

Reviewed: Creed Live DVD

Abhijeet Ahluwalia

Creed were one of those bands – you either thought they were great, bought all their albums and sang along awfully with Scott Stapp’s instantly memorable voice, or you thought they were formulaic, late 90s junk and had no redeeming features.

Although I used to be a fan as a kid, I moved on to heavier (better?) things as I grew up and wasn’t bothered much by news of them splitting up. Or, indeed, reuniting 7 years later. So it was a pleasant surprise to watch them live on their new DVD and see they’re more-or-less on top form. It’s imaginatively titled Live and is out just in time for Christmas. What a coincidence.

Feature – Joey Tempest: Next Europe album to come in 2011

Abhijeet Ahluwalia

It must be frustrating to be Europe. Here is a band that has recorded 8 studio albums, and 3 live ones to boot. Yet, it seems no coverage of their work seems complete without a few paragraphs that harp on about their 1986 mega-hit The Final Countdown.

Reviewed – Slain: Before Beyond EP

Abhijeet Ahluwalia

That this band opened for Iron Maiden is all the convincing you should need to check them out. Slain have quickly risen to become one of the most sought-after metal bands in South India, and now have an EP out to complement their awesome live show. The cover art is quite symbolic too, considering this CD is meant to be a taster of what’s to come on their full length, Here and Beyond. Here’s a track-by-track review of the EP.

Feature – Todd Rundgren “The internet works!! Yes, it’s having an effect!!”

Abhijeet Ahluwalia

There are prog rockers, there are producers. And then there’s Todd Rundgren. In any given year of his 40 year career, few artists would have been as active both in front of the microphone and behind the mixing desk as Runt. I could keeping waxing lyrical all night long and still not cover all he’s done, or the impact he’s had. Little wonder then, that British fans are foaming at the mouth at the prospect of seeing Todd perform A Wizard, A True Star in its entirety.

And So I Watch You From Afar – Post-Rock heaven

Ken

Everybody should give the instrumental post-rock genre a listen once, there’s something for everybody and with so many great bands around at the moment such as Mono, Mogwai, This Will Destroy You, 65daysofstatic etc we’re spoilt for choice.

One band that has been making a steady name for themselves over the last few years is Northern Irish group And So I Watch You From Afar. Their debut self-titled album came out early this year on Smalltown America Records; eleven ear-shattering and beautifully epic songs showcasing the band’s technical prowess. To prove my point here’s a cool official video for the opening track Set Guitars To Kill on their album.

Give them a try; you’ll be blown away and no doubt have bleeding eardrums by the end of it. Now set those guitars to kill!

Myspace Page
Last.fm Page

And So I Watch You From Afar

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EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW: From Space by The Circus

Abhijeet Ahluwalia

Delhi-based rockers The Circus are almost done with their new album From Space, which will be out shortly on Grey & Saurian. They were kind enough to give me an exclusive listen to the whole album, so here’s a track-by-track review.

Feature – Undying Inc “Our music makes you wanna kick someone in the face”

Abhijeet Ahluwalia

Extreme metal is making waves in India today. Infernal Wrath have just released their groundbreaking album Inside Of Me, Bhayanak Maut’s new album only cemented their reputation as a hallowed extreme act, and Demonic Resurrection are all set to unleash Return To Darkness. As with any movement that becomes popular, scores of bands jump on the bandwagon, trying to make hay while the scene shines. But there are always a select few who stand apart, stubbornly refusing to be anyone but themselves. Like Delhi’s Undying Inc, for example.

Gig Review: Bhayanak Maut @ Fr. Agnel’s

Abhijeet Ahluwalia

Another weekend, another metal gig in Bombay, and this time it was Fr. Agnel’s in Vashi who played host to Bhayanak Maut, Zygnema and Chronic Phobia. The stellar lineup delivered a stellar show that the college isn’t likely to forget in a hurry.