An Interview With Shalini Of Brutal Death Metallers GENOCIDE X

1.Hi Shalini.Firstly,welcome to India.How are you and how are you feeling?What are you listening to these days?

Shalini: Hey Avinash,thanks for the welcome.Feels good to see my dad's homeland after such a long time.I am good.These days i am listening to Napalm Death,Cryptopsy,Krisiun,Decapitated,Pavor,Psycroptic and Strapping Young Lad.What's up with you?

2.I am fine too.All are amazing bands.Cool.Okay,would you like to tell a brief story about Genocide X?

Shalini: Genocide X was formed in 2005.I used to play in a band called Furnace.That was pretty simple and straight ahead thrash/speed metal cover band.For some logistical reasons,i made a decision of leaving that band.I used to work in a music shop where i met Sharon.She called me after reading the reply to her bulletin ad of a Death Metal guitarist requirement.Then right after first jam,we came to know each other.We both have similar interest in music.She just mesmerized me with her amazing hyperfast double bass pedalling and blastbeats.I remember the first song we jammed toghether was "Rapture" by Morbid Angel.We found Erica after 38th audition for a vocalist.We jammed "Hammer smashed face" by Cannibal Corpse with Erica and me was like-"Holyshit,i think that was some real bad ass bloodshed."Then i called Audrey to handle bass for us.We used to play toghether in Furnace but right after three shows,she got fired because of her alcohol problem.Anyway,we started off as a cover band and tried to get shows in local clubs.

3.Tell me about Genocide X's influences.How old are you girls?I know.....silly question..hehe.

Shalini: Our influences ranges from Vader,Annihilator,Cannibal Corpse,Arch Enemy to Dying Fetus,Decapitated,Nile,Brodequin,Dissection,Cryptopsy and Napalm Death.
Audrey is 24,Sharon is 23,Erica is 23 and i am 20.Erica is highly inspired by George Fisher,Angela Gossow,Chris Barnes and Karl Sanders.Sharon is inspired by Derek Roddy,Mike Portnoy,Dave Weckl and Tony Laureno.Audrey is inspired by Rex and Steve Harris.My inspirations-Dimebag Darrel,Jack Owen,Chuck Schuldiner,Chris Broderick and Karl Sanders.

4.Last night i was listening again to Burn For Peace.Very good production and great album artwork.Your skills in album artwork is quite appreciable.About the songs-Virus Activated,the Plague,Assassinated and Burn for peace,I must say this is some skull crushing brutal death metal with accuracy.Nice lyrics too.Who write songs?

Shalini: Thank you very much.I am glad you liked our Demo CD.Usually,Erica and Audrey write lyrics and i make music with Sharon.Our songs are not really gory but they are mostly based on wars and other social and political issues.It's like a whole mix and match.

5.Your riffs are not just accurate but i feel they also symbolise hatred and anger in a very beautiful manner.Also i can figure out little Dimebag Darrel and Karl Sanders influence in your riffs.Please elaborate.Since how long have you been playing?

Shalini: Thanks.I am not a technical guitarist but i try my best to express myself.You know....good times or bad times,i just plug in my guitar and start playing and if i get some nice riff,i immediately record that riff in my cell-phone.About dimebag and sanders influence,you are right.I am highly inspired by Dimebag's solos and Karl's riffs.I have been playing the guitar since five years.

6.So any future plan of Genocide X?

Shalini: We are in the process of writing more songs after releasing our first Demo CD.We were going through a big financial crisis.Recording process was getting delayed because of it.All of us are working now.Things are getting better now and so we are getting back to the studio soon for a full length album/second demo or whatever. We are trying to get shows as much as we can.

7.Great.I am wishing you all the best.I am sure things will go in the right way.I have seen you girls live in london and i just want to say that Genocide X is one hell of a brutal death metal band with insane energy on stage.All the best.Anything you would like to say to readers?

Shalini: Thanks a lot Avinash.We appreciate your support.We just play for the sake of our love for death metal music.I know very less you can expect in return like Mallika said.But playing this awesome genre of music is a great honour in itself.We don't want people coming in our shows by saying-"Hey let's watch some hot chicks playing metal".We are not looking for any fame or glamour.Just enjoy listening and watching us.We are happy they treat us like other local death metal bands.Cool to see more girls joining the death metal scene.Hails to you all.There are many good metal bands in India and i feel so proud of them.I am currently in India for two months vacation and i am looking forward to see some indian metal bands live.Please keep supporting the underground bands.That's all.

An Interview With Mallika Of Brutal Death/Grindcore Metallers ABNORMALITY

1.Hello Mallika,thanks for taking time for this small interview.How are you today and what are you listening to these days?

Mallika: Hi Avinash,
I'm doing well, thanks. Thanks for your interest in Abnormality.
Lately I've been listening to the new Cephalic Carnage- Xenosapen, Skinless- Trample the Weak Hurdle the Dead, Neuraxis, Cryptopsy, Death, Suffocation, Watain, Cryptopsy, Angel Corpse, Morbid Angel, Deeds of Flesh, Mortal Decay, and more...

2.I have been listening to Abnormality since quite a long time and must say Abnormality's music is a good mixture of Brutality and Technicality.Would you like to tell a brief story of your band?

Mallika: Why, thank you.
Abnormality formed about two years ago. I had been playing in a few projects, and the latest had broken up, I was actively looking to join a serious band on vocals. Jay (ex- Goratory) and Mike (ex- Ascendancy) were in popular local band out of Massachusetts, Teratism. They invited me to do a song with them in a show, for fun and to help me find a band. We had a great time, and after the show Jay and Mike asked me to form a side project with them. We started up Abnormality and found a second guitarist, Jeremy (ex-Iranach). A few months later, Teratism disbanded. Abnormality continues to practice, write and play shows. We are looking for a bass player to complete the lineup.

3.Since how long you have been singing?There are very less female death metal vocalists in the circuit.And i must say your vocals are extremely brutal with perfection.Any inspiration?

Mallika: I have been singing since I was a kid, but as my musical tastes developed, so did my style of singing. I have been playing in metal bands for about 5 years. The first band I joined was Potro, while I was spending a semester in Barcelona, Spain in 2002. When I returned the the U.S. I started looking for new projects.
I aim for a vocal style as brutal as possible. I take inspiration from all my favorite band's vocalists, male and female. Some early female inspirations were Karyn Crisis and Angela Gossow. Today there are more and more women getting involved in the extreme metal scene, and I think it's great.

4.Visions,Questions,Epitomize The Weak.....Ultimately amazing tracks.Who write lyrics for Abnormality and who compose the music?

Mallika: The whole band contributes to all the songs. Someone will come up with a riff, or we'll just start jamming and it will turn into a song. Usually it's Jay, Mike and I writing the lyrics. We write separately or as a collaboration. A lot of thought goes into the lyrics, with a range of topics from political subjects, sarcasm and absurdity, to our life experiences. But we think it's important to not take ourselves too seriously.

5.What would you like to say about the current Death Metal scenario?I mean,there are many talented and creative death metal bands which are still unsigned.

Mallika: I have a great love for the death metal scene. It takes a lot of dedication, skill, and passion to play this type of music, knowing that there is little you can expect in return. You know that people are listening and performing for the right reasons, not because it's "cool" or that they could make a fortune doing it. And it's certainly not for everyone. The metal underground brings people together from all countries and walks of life.
I feel really lucky to live in New England, there are a lot of amazing bands from this area, Suffocation, Skinless, Immolation, Mortal Decay, and some good friends of ours: Goreality, Sexcrement, Deconformity, Soul Remnants, Brutal #2, A Terrible Night for a Curse, Hekseri, Dysentery, Porphyria, to name a few. Yes, there is a lot of unsigned talent, it can be a struggle to get a label's attention. Every day it is getting easier for bands to produce and distribute music on their own.

6.So any future plans of Abnormality?How about an India Tour?

Mallika: We plan to continue what we've been doing all along, expand our fanbase, look for a label, and hopefully do some touring around the U.S. and Europe. We are going into the studio this winter to record our first full-length album.
I would love to tour India. My father is from Tamil Nadu, it's always nice to visit and see more of his home country. There is such amazing culture and musical history there.

7.Thanks for the interview Mallika.Any message you would like to leave for indian metalheads?

Mallika: Hmm. Well if your a metal head in India you must be even rarer than here in the States, so props to you! Afaque
of Infernal Wrath was telling me about some of the hardships of getting shows together, and playing metal in India. I hope the scene keeps growing and gets easier. I look forward to hearing what bands come out of India.

You can listen to Abnormality at www.myspace.com/abnormality06

Thanks again, Avinash, and keep it brutal!




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Stay tuned for my next interview with Shalini,Guitarist Of British Brutal Death Metallers GENOCIDE X

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An Interview With Afaque Azad Of Death Metallers Infernal Wrath

1.Hello Afaque,thanks for taking your precious time for this interview.

Afaque : Hi & thanks for the opportunity. And you are not taking my precious time....I was lukha anyways! (laughs)..................ok ok ok ...........wait........ (laughs again).....sorry sorry.....I'll be try to be more serious from now on.....mmm.......(grim look)..

2.Haha.Alright i am serious now.What are you listening to these days?

Afaque : A lot of varied music. Psy-trance, Ambient/Noise, Hardcore punk, Anarcho-punk, Straight-edge, Riot Grrl. Also revisiting my pre - 70's rock collection. On the other hand, I'm trying to understand Indian & Western Classical music as well as Dixieland/New Orleans, Bebop, Avant-garde and free jazz.

3. Since how long you have been singing?

Afaque: I tried singing once when I was five. It wasn't a pleasant experience for the audience.After that haven't sang a single note till now! All I do is try to have a conversation with the stray dogs in my area!(laughs)...........really I don't remember......I was growling in the mosh-pit back when Bramha covered Sepultura's Dead Embryonic Cell at Independence Rock.With in a band, almost four years. First in Blood Bath Regiment & then Infernal Wrath.

4.I must say that your vocals are brutal as hell and i have not heard many Indian death metal vocalists growling the way you growl.

Afaque : ........mmmmm.......Thank you. (takes a bow)

5.Your vocal speaks for your soul.

Afaque : ......................err...................(looking extremely confused)............. whatever!

6.When did you join/form Infernal Wrath?Would you like to tell a brief history of Infernal Wrath?

Afaque: Well, JP and Pradeep played together in death metal band called Disembodied Corpse. They left that band, and while they were playing in different bands, they spoke to each other about how they wanted to play together again. It got serious enough that they started jamming together and started looking out for other band members. Along side, I was a vocalist in the band 'Blood Bath Regiment'. Irwin Vaz (the famed drum teacher) met me in a rock show and referred me to JP for vocals for their "project". Irony was I had just spoken to Pradeep in that show and told him that I was sad that Deflesh (Pradeep's previous band) split and heard about a rumour that he's forming a death metal band with JP! The next thing I know I was all ready to jam with them! Harshad joined the band before me. Well the rest, as you know is...chemistry! (laughs)

7.And your influences?

Afaque : Musically? Too many to even name them. For Infernal Wrath: Rainbow, Metallica, Slayer, Morbid Angel, Nile, the list is endless.

8.I have noticed that Infernal Wrath's music is extremely brutal as hell but there is no Anti-Christianity or Anti-God influence in the song inspiration like usual death metal bands.After listening to "Funeral Pyre",i felt there is more "holy" and "strength" feel in your music which gives a totally different view.Would you elaborate?

Afaque: Agreed that there is no Anti-God sentiment to it, but its not "holy" at the same time. Its more of a message to humans beings from human beings ( i.e. us). We chose the most epic moment of mankind that all the prophecies talk about, the Apocalypse, or more precisely the chain of events that will occur leading to the Apocalypse.Understanding and narrating the various prophecies from sources like the Bible, the Quran , the Bhagwat Gita, the Torah, mystical cults like the Kabbalah etc as well as the Occultist and Pagan mythologies, that is revelant to our present global geo-political situation. Instead of taking the good side-bad side argument, we chose to write on the events itself and giving a human perspective all that can happen and what should he/she do in that circumstance & what is of most importance; the truth within ourselves ; the Karma.

9.That is really awesome Afaque. Are you guys thinking of releasing any album?

Afaque: Definitely!As of right now we have started the pre-planning for the recording,getting the logistics & the finances worked out.Its just round the corner.

10.Would you guys like to make a Cryptopsy tribute album if you get the chance to do?I know it's a little weird question but you guys are known as the only band covering Cryptopsy.

Afaque : Really no one else covers them? In India, they are a pretty popular band. The crowd simply goes crazy everytime we have performed the song 'Phobophile'. We would be interested to be featured in a Cryptopsy tribute album. You know what would be more great? If we get a chance to tour along side them!

11.Thanks a lot for the great interview Afaque.Lastly,I want to to hear about the following(my favorite Indian bands) from you.Just your personal opinion.

Afaque: My opinion is that it is absolutely great that through out the decade, there has been amazing metal acts that have come out of the country. The levels of all the band you have mentioned & many more band now as well as from the past has over the years forged an imprint in the minds of an average school/college going kid of every generation. Its because of killer bands like these, they are probably more metal fans in the country that say like 15-20 years ago. More that half of the bands on the list are favorites of almost every Indian metalhead. The fact that without the support from the record labels, music channels & other mainstream media, these bands sell their cd's in the thousands is a testimony to their cult following. It is high time that avenues should be created such that musicians can have a livelihood by doing what they like doing, making music.

hahahaha!Cheers!
Afaque

Note to all Non - Hindi readers : 'Lukha' - Being absolutely useless/wasted

My Favourite Bands(From Dinosaur Era To Present Era)

Cream
Led Zeppelin
Steppenwolf
Black Sabbath
Judas Priest
Iron Maiden
Megadeth
Diamond Head
Overkill
Slayer
Morbid Angel
Cannibal Corpse
Pantera
Dimmu Borgir
Crematory
Death
Atheist
Cynic
Cryptopsy
Nile
Vader
Hate Eternal
Behemoth
Spiral Architect
Necrophagist
Watchtower
Behold...The Arctopus
Spastic Ink

Music that kills

I would like to share some bands which i really like a lot.I think these bands are really creative and they make some amazing music that really inspires.I am not a writer at all but i think these bands deserve some reviews because according to my musical experience,they are really innovative and great.I am just a regular metalhead.

Here i go.....






1.Amogh Symphony

One of the most versatile and technical metal bands i have ever heard.Insane skilled musicianship.Their sound is so "Indian" and "Unique" in such a way that you can differentiate in a second while listening to any other technical death metal or progressive metal band.I got one cd of their first EP-Ashwamedh Skand 2 from a german friend of mine.I felt really proud and nice when he said-"Check this out Avi,Killer progressive death metal from India.These guys just blew the shit outta me.Sickest Death Metal ever.I bet you will love this cd".

I thought Indian Classical can never be fused with Death Metal music.But Amogh Symphony proved me totally wrong.Their music is not just a technical fusion between brutal death metal and indian/carnatic classical but also jazz,funk and western/neo classical.Now that sounds really weird,isnt it?I mean,if you listen to their tracks "My Third Eye","Rebirth Of Eternity","Amrapali","Kshatriya Abhimanyu",you will surely get to know what i am trying to say.Amazingly incredible guitar solos,odd time signatures,extremely hyperfast blastbeats,insane piano arpegios,mindblowing orchestrations and weird bass arpegios.Its fused in such a technical and beautiful manner that when you hear the jazz portions of the songs,you will say-"Its a jazz band" and if you listen to the metal part,you will say-"That's some brutal death skull cracking metal" and those classical music portions...phew!!!.

This is one hell of a band which i really like a lot.I have seen many indian bands who sounds like megadeth,metallica or sometimes children of bodom,cradle of filth.But this band established in creating its own unique,technical,versatile sound and style which differentiate them from any other technical death metal bands like cynic,necrophagist,quo vadis etc.And last but not the least,they sounds like a proper "Indian Fusion/Technical Death Metal".

Informations said the band is coming up with a new line-up and a new experimenting sound with a better production.Their new EP is under process.So stay tuned.

Listen to some of their tracks on the link given below

www.myspace.com/mohenjadaro

2.Sleep Terror

Insane bandname and insane music.Brutal Death Metal Meets Jazz.This band from California are known as one of the most amazing technical death metal bands in U.S.Very sick instrumentation.They sound much like "Dave Weckl & John Schofield Jamming With Nile".Check out their songs "Hypersomniarationale" and "Xmas Medley".I think these guys can surely compete with Necrophagist(just a reference...i hate to compare bands coz that sucks.).

What i really liked about this band is the word "differentiation".You know one cannot listen to jazz and brutal death metal at the same time.But Sleep Terror's music will tell you-"You are stupid if you think jazz sucks and metal rocks...Hear me and think".Hahaha.Well,jazz is not at all easy,its their versatility that made him sound like a proper jazz/death fusion metal band.I like atheist too(i am a huge atheist fan) but these guys did what atheist were supposed to do now.

Sleep Terror are coming up with a total new line-up and members as well.They are experimenting with a new sound for their new CD.

Heres the link

www.myspace.com/sleepterror

3.Modulus

Brutal Grindcore Death fusing with Jazz.Another wicked Technical Death Metal.This Woodbridge,U.S.A based death metal act are one of the promising bands of new tech death era.They opened for bigger acts like Cannibal Corpse,Cryptopsy and Vital Remains and succeded in making a cult fan following with their shocking and stunning stage act.Listen to their famous song "Neural Processor" and you will get to know what i am trying to explain.The drum parts will surely make not just one but 5 or 7 holes in your skull(because of their odd time signatures).Brutal guttural vocals with jazz fused brutal death metal.What a fucking shame.........these guys opened for bands like cannibal corpse and deicide.I think they deserve a very good fucking major record label.....sad....The dirty politics in music industry is dominating the hidden talents.....

Sadly,their previous drummer had left the band and they are looking for a new one.I am eager to hear the new drummer because the previous drummer was really bad ass.

Check them out for sure

www.myspace.com/modulus

4.Axis Of Perdition

Man....I have got no words to explain at all.These guys are from my place(U.K).The most darkest and evil experimental black metal i have ever heard.Their music is more like a mixture of Ambient,Industrial Metal with Raw Black Metal.Screeching distorted riffs and grinding lightening speed brutal drumming.Robotic voices and other electronic effects and sounds make their music more darker.Believe me,if you listen to any axis of perdition track after getting stoned or watching a horror movie,you will see distorted visions and unknown creatures(thats what i have experienced...hehe).Influenced by the writings of H.P Lovecraft,these guys sounds totally different than any other Black Metal band.There is no Intro-Chorus-Verse-Bridge-Solo-Chorus structure in their music.It just goes like a fucking bullet from a gun.Listen to my all time favourite axis of perdition song "Reflections of the underdark"....simply insane stuff.

Best work by Axis Of Perdition-----I would like to rate "The Ichneumon Method",i think it's the greatest experimental black metal album ever.

Drummer of Bal-Sagoth is handling drums for them according to the reports.

Links:

www.myspace.com/theaxisofperdition

www.soundclick.com/axisofperdition

5.Behold...The Arctopus

Another great Extreme Technical Death Metal project from the New Wave Of Progressive Death Metal Era.Behold...The Arctopus are originally a 2 member Instrumental Technical Metal band from Brooklyn,New York.Their CD titled "Nano Nucleonic Cyborg Summoning" is some of the most technically complex metal music i have ever heard since Spastic Ink.These guys are the first band who introduced Warr Guitar(A huge guitar which is a combination of a guitar and bass...something like chapman stick) in Death Metal Music.

But here i would like to write something being a little critic.Technicality is not just everything in any music and thats what the mistake is in their music.No doubt,this stuff is technical at its best.But after a while,you really can't enjoy their music at all.There is no order in their tracks and also...NO groove,NO melody.Probably thats why critics are not liking them at all.

But if you want to hear some music with insane technicality and complex dimensions,you should listen to Behold...The Arctopus.But remember,if you are looking for groove and melody....then you are in the wrong place.Advice-----better listen to Quo Vadis.

link- www.myspace.com/beholdthearctopus

These bands are making the most strongest pillars to save the future of metal.

Shall post more very soon.

Support these bands.

Avi