High Cost

This is the time of the year that most websites/blogs are sharing their Best of the year lists, I on the other hand am catching up on the music that I have missed out so far. One such release is the self titled one from Brooklyn hardcore/grindcore act High Cost. The 7 track EP is one of the most ferocious releases I have heard this year.  

I spoke to the band about the EP, the revival of cassettes and vinyl and more.

Read the interview on The Metal Wanderlust

Aempyrean

Aempyrean are the latest Indian metal act to send ripples through the metal blogosphere. Since forming in early 2015, the band have slowly built a reputation with their live act. I managed to catch Aempyrean at the Trendslaughter IV earlier this year supporting Cult of Fire and they put on a engaging show. Fireborn, their highly anticipated debut EP releases today via Cyclopean Eye Productions. The band’s intense sound will appeal to fans of old school death metal.

I spoke to vocalist BR about Fireborn, their inspirations and also the current state of death metal.

Read the interview on VM Underground

Rainburn interview

Unscene promoter Bantering Ram has good taste in music, so when he recommended Rainburn – Insignify, I knew I had to listen to it.  The first full length release by the Bangalore prog rockers is a concept album. The story line is well complemented by melodic riffs which result in multiple listens.  

I spoke to  vocalist/guitarist Vats Iyengar about Insignify, line up changes and also their upcoming tour.

You released your first album Insignify earlier this month. How does it feel now that the album has been released?

A lot of satisfaction at how well the vision and efforts of nearly two-and-a-half years have panned out. And more prominently – because I can’t sit still for too long – planning the way forward from here.

For those not familiar with the band. Do share how the present line up of the band get together?

We did a tour in late 2016 with Coshish, and less than a month before the start of the tour, thanks to the absence of any discernable work ethic in our beloved indie scene, we suddenly found ourselves without a bassist and a second guitarist. We were in a pretty tough place – if you know our music, you know it’s not something that people can just come in and nail overnight or wing their way through. Prav and I were very lucky to find Paraj and Ravi, who worked really hard over that short period of time, and the tour turned out well. They’ve been with us ever since (Paraj is part of the live line-up).

Insignify is a concept album. Do tell us more about it.

Insignify is a story about the search for significance amidst life’s inherent meaninglessness. It is centred around notions of insecurity and narcissism – two traits whose roots often lie in the need to feel special/significant. The protagonist of the story is a musician because, in my experience, performing artists are more prone to those two traits than regular people are. The choice of main character also made it easier to write from an autobiographical point of view, which makes the whole thing really honest.

What are the concept albums that have inspired you?

In no particular order, Quadrophenia by The Who, The Shaming of the True by Kevin Gilbert, Operation: Mindcrime by Queensryche, and Remedy Lane by Pain of Salvation.

There were also a couple of albums that influenced me in terms of what not to do – The Wall by Pink Floyd for teaching me to not get so carried away by the concept that the music starts to feel secondary or indulgent. And Scenes from a Memory by Dream Theater taught me to avoid making a concept album that’s focused more on a complicated story, and not enough on addressing or evoking what you call basic human emotions. I love both those bands but I have to say, these particular albums aren’t my favourite things by them.

What was the writing process of the album? What came first, the concept or the music?

The concept came first, although a few guitar riffs and such from different points in the past made their way into certain songs. It took a long time to fully develop the story but once the conceptual details were in place, the songwriting happened quite quickly.

The album was recorded with Thejus Nair at  Eleven Gauge Recordings. What was the recording process?

Thejus is a huge part of how this album sounds, not just in terms of his role as a mix engineer but also his input on arrangements, and even things like guitar tones during pre-production. I must say this is as much his album as any Rainburn member’s. The recording process was surprisingly simple and streamlined, considering the musical breadth of the record.

What’s currently on your playlist?

Reflections of a Floating World by Elder. In the past, I never really got into much – I guess you’d call this stoner metal, but someone recommended this album to me recently and it’s great. I’ve also been listening to a fair amount of hip-hop lately.

Do you have any shows/tours planned in support of the album?

We’re touring in February in support of the album. No dates/venues finalized yet, those will come together over the next few weeks, but a tour’s happening for sure, and I hope to see everyone who’s reading this out there at the shows!

Thanks for answering all our questions. Do you have any final words?

Thanks for doing this interview. To your readers: please check out Insignify and drop us a message on our website or social media pages, letting us know what you think.

Striker interview

Last week, I interviewed Skull Fist for The Metal Wanderlust; the band are currently touring Europe with another killer Canadian act Striker. Play to Win is their 6th album in a decade and is definitive release. I found the songs to be quite catchy, ‘The Front’ is one of my favourite along with the first single ‘Head First’.

I spoke to Guitarist Tim Brown about Play to Win, being an independent act and also his current playlist.

You recently wrapped up a North American tour with Unleash the Archers and Helion Prime. What was the highlight of the tour?

The whole tour was a highlight! Great package, great friends. We had a run of about 10 sold out shows on the east coast, plus a bunch of other sold out shows. The Canadian dates were also off the hook!

Play to Win is a classic heavy metal album. Do tell us more about it.

We wanted to experiment with some slower tempos and different sounds on this album. Even snuck in a ballad! We listen to so much music; we wanted to stretch our writing a bit. Try some new things, get weird with it.

What was the writing and recording process for the album?

We basically sit down and rank all our song ideas, and whatever comes out on top goes on an album. We recorded and produced everything ourselves at our home studio then sent it out for a mix/master by Henrik Udd. Super happy with the results, this album is easily our most monstrous!

Play to Win is your third release as an independent artist. Why you have chosen to stay independent and not sign up with any label?

Short answer: labels suck! They take everything and you get very little back. You aren’t in control. No one will work harder for you than you will. You are your best resource. Might as well do it yourself.

What’s currently on your playlist?

Myrone – drift stage volume 1
Toto – the seventh one
Unleash The Archers – follow me to apex
Skullfist – way of the road

What are your thoughts on the current state of heavy metal?

It’s good! Tons of new acts coming out. I think as soon as more bands realize they can do it themselves and don’t need labels, we will have a resurgence of metal. There are already tons of independent acts, but once it becomes the norm not the exception, I think music will be in a better place

Do recommend bands from that the readers should check out?

Skull Fist, Unleash the Archers, Dance With The Dead, tons of good stuff!

You have a European tour with Skull Fist coming up next month. What are you looking forward to at the shows?

Shredding with our European fans! And the beer

Thanks for answering all our questions. Do you have any final words?

Thanks for the support! Check out our website http://www.striker-metal.com for all your Striker needs

Cheers
Tim

Skull Fist

Canadian metal act Skull Fist are one of the leading proponents of the recent Heavy Metal revival. Their latest album “Way of the Road” is a fine slab of 80’s Heavy Metal. The band opted for a organic sound on the album and it complements the songs well.

I spoke to vocalist/guitarist Zach Slaughter about the album, the revival of vinyl, cassettes, and their upcoming European tour with Striker.

Read the interview on The Metal Wanderlust 

Dirge

Doom metal is one of the underrepresented genres in the Indian metal bands. Dirge are one of the few doom metal acts in the country. Their debut release Ah Puch is inspired by Mayan and Aztec Mythology and channels the New Orleans sludge sound making it one of the most unique albums I’ve heard this year.

I spoke to the band ahead of the release of Ah Puch. Find out more about the album, the inspiration behind it and more.

Read the interview on The Metal Wanderlust

Godless

Indian Death/thrash metal act Godless are one of the most hardworking bands in the country. In a short period of 3 years, the band have quite a few notable achievements – released a EP Centuries of Decadence, supported heavyweights acts like Behemoth & Jeff Loomis, an Indian tour with Psycroptic and recently represented India at the Wacken Metal Battle. Later this week, Godless add one more feather to their cap, their second EP Swarm. The release is a potent mix of death and thrash metal.

I spoke to bassist Abbas Razvi about Swarm, performing at Wacken and their upcoming Indian tour.

Read my interview on  VM Underground