Khemmis

2018 has been a great year for metal in my opinion. There have been quite a few memorable albums in the past 7 months, that will surely make it to my “best of” list at the end of the year.  With 4 months to go, I am sure there will be a few more added to the list. One album that will definitely be there is Khemmis – Desolation, I have listened to the album more than any other this year. The album is a masterpiece that will appeal to fans of doom metal as well as classic heavy metal. I could not resist finding out more about Desolation from the band.

Read the interview on The Metal Wanderlust

Bangalore Open Air 2018

It’s been a month since Bangalore Open Air and the line up was stacked with 4 international bands. I managed to get some decent shots of most of the bands that played at the festival.

 

 

Kryptos

 

Immolation

Into Eternity

A couple months ago, I interviewed Blood of Christ a band that was making a comeback after a decade. Another Canadian band, Into Eternity is back after close to a decade. I discovered the band when I heard their track Spiraling into Depression on the Metal for the Masses II compilation from Century Media. 

I spoke to band founder Tim Roth about their 6 album The Sirens and also keeping the band going for over 2 decades. Post the interview the band signed with M-Theory Audio and the album will be released on 26th October.

Read my interview on The Metal Wanderlust

 

 

 

 

Alkaloid

Liquid Anatomy, the second album by Alkaloid is an album I’ve been listening to a lot lately and here’s what I wrote about it in the Now Playing column. “I am shocked at the lack of buzz online about this album. The second album from the band is a prog masterpiece and will feature on the “best of” lists of many at the end of the year. Just listen to the album closer Rise of the Cephalopods if in doubt.”

I spoke to drummer Hannes Grossmann about the album and more. Read my interview on the Metal Wanderlust

 

Lelahell

Lelahell is the latest band from Redouane Aouameur, a veteran of the Algerian metal scene. The band released their second album Alif last month via Metal Age Productions. The album features death metal combined with Algerian folklore.

I spoke to vocalist/guitarist Redouane Aouameur about Alif, the metal scene in Algeria and also their plans for the rest of the year.

Read my interview on The Metal Wanderlust

Now Playing – May + June 2018

The column is back after a break last month due to me being on holiday. I’ve added the albums that I was listening to in May too. Check it out.

May releases

I am shocked at the lack of buzz online about this album. The second album from the band is a prog masterpiece and will feature on the “best of” lists of many at the end of the year. Just listen to the album closer “Rise of the Cephalopods” if in doubt.

The debut release from the Portuguese grind act featuring members of The Ominous Circle, Holocausto Canibal, Heavenwood and Colosso caught me by surprise. I was really impressed with their blistering sound and bleak outlook. Cannot wait till hear more music from them in the future.

The 11th album from the long standing experimental metal act sees them taking further the avant garde sound of recent albums. Deeper Underground prominently features elements of d-beat and reggae/dub rhythms.Download the digital copy of the album from bandcamp for the ebook Exploring The Depths Of The Underground, a reflective essay that complements the album.

Enjoy the metal and potatoes death metal? This is the album for you, Just click on play below. Else check out the next album

Only Love is not your average metal/hardcore album. The first listen of the album left me gobsmacked and hitting repeat for more. Recommended for those who enjoy listening to bands that push the envelope.

 

June releases

Disappointed with the recent Morbid Angel album? Exiler will make up for it with it’s dissonant death metal sound. A recent discovery courtesy Everlasting Spew Records.

And You Will Obey Me.. is the latest release from Down among the Dead men featuring death metal masters David Ingram & Rogga Johansson. If those names do not convince you to grab a copy of the album, not else will.

The only non extreme metal release featured this month. The debut full length from the Australian act is well executed power/heavy metal devoid of the any cheesiness. Guitarists Denis Sudzuka and Matt Carroll put on an impressive showcase. I am surprised that the band are still unsigned.

I’ve listened to this album the most the past month. This could be due to the gloomy rainy days in Mumbai but mainly because this is the best black metal release I have heard recently. The hooded Portuguese act have produced a truly unsettling listening experience.

Manor of Infinite Forms is a vicious album further enhanced by it’s raw production. Listening to it, I was reminded of my favorite death metal records from the 90’s. A slamming debut full length from the Canadian act. A must listen for death metal fans.

Arallu

Arallu are stalwarts of the Israeli metal scene releasing 6 albums in the past 2 decades. Earlier this month, the band reissued their 4th album ‘Desert Battles’ ahead of its tenth anniversary. The black/death metal sound is boosted by re recorded vocals, remastering and a new cover art. I spoke to front man Butchered about the Desert Battles reissue, keeping the band going for over 2 decades and more.

Read the interview with on VM Underground