Of late there have been bands who have tried to experiment with different genres in the scene, some have done really well, like Dark Helm who mix Deathcore with Indian/Middle Eastern folk music, Eccentric Pendulum who have a completely different approach towards playing progressive death metal and Dark Carnage who seem to play a kind of symphonic deathcore whereas others like Infinite Redemption and Enthrall seem to miss the mark. The band ill be reviewing today also mixes up different things, does it lead to something revolutionary? Keep reading below and you’ll find out. 

Adrenaline Mob, formed in early 2011, is a heavy metal super-group with vocalist Russell Allen (Symphony X) on vocals, guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando, bassist John Moyer (Disturbed), and the great Mike Portnoy (Flying Colors, ex-Dream Theater, ex-Avenged Sevenfold) on drums. Moyer joined after the album was recorded.

With three accomplished musicians coming together from different genres, Omertà is an amalgamation and all those sound and the influences can be noted very clearly. The lyrics are quite heavy and deep and noticeably stress on one general topic: the mob, the everyday guy. One can relate to the lyrics very easily, and coupled with some awesome riffs and powerful vocals, the listener often feels his/her inner self singing out loud, and when you have someone like Portnoy on drums, the songs have got to be groovy and with Orlando on guitars and bass, the feeling just gets better and better.

World Management would like to announce that the mighty Nile are heading to ASIA. This marks the band’s first time in these markets and the guys are extremely excited to be playing for their Asian Metal Brothers. The whole idea of spreading Nile’s music into this part of the world has been a long time coming. We are extremely pleased to go to this part of the world and are looking forward to an amazing cultural exchange and experience.

Nile are currently in the studio wrapping up the mix of their latest effort “At The Gate of Sethu” with producer Neil Kernon (produced the last four albums).... Album should be released 2nd quarter 2012.

NILE / ASIA INVASION 2012:

06-May: Nile Live in Bangalore, E-Zone Club, Bangalore India


Tickets for NILE Live In Bangalore are now available at http://www.indianstage.in/events/nile_india_tour_2012.html



Early bird at Rs 880 (Inclusive of tax ). Early Bird tickets are very limited.

The Event conceptualized, produced and managed by Obliquity India, Lanyard Entertainment & Rices Inc.

Join The Official Event Page Here

Funnily or rather co incidentally, I had just about completed the game ‘Bullet Storm’ which I admit is fun of the highest order despite being storyline hollow. The next day I was asked by our Grand adjudicator/ ‘Forsaken’ Punk/ Overlord Mr. Owais to review this band ‘BulletStorm’... I was like “The what??” I later checked out their Facebook page which had them sporting a ‘Bullet Storm’ game picture as their DP.  I was like “Gosh! This must be some unreleased Bullet storm theme music rip-offs”.

Well... Things never turn out the way they should. Right?

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a home recording (More of an excuse for crappy recording)

When I first heard the name Infinite Redemption, I wasn’t really expecting too much from the band as it didn’t really make a lot of sense, and seemed as if a few people had randomly come together with two words that sound “Metal” so that they can come up with a “Cool” sounding band name. But nonetheless I remembered the time I reviewed Insane Prophecy, being put off by the name at first but then thoroughly enjoying their music, thus learning that one should not judge a band by the name, but unfortunately this time around the band is just like its name. Infinite Redemption is a five piece from Mumbai, consisting of Rust (Vocals), Heith (Lead Guitars), Katas (Rhythm Guitars/Vocals),Amey (Bass Guitars) and Nandan (Drums).They recently came out with debut E.P. titled Face Of Disaster.

Albatross! It all started when this crazy maverick bass player by the name Dr. Hex (Riju Dasgupta), decided to add another project to his long list of musical endeavors. He brings together two of his passions - Literature and Music, and bonds them in an ever destructive bond of marriage (now you know why it’s called Horror Metal). Their first E.P. - "Dinner Is You" was a concept album, based on Cannibalism and the Kuru disease. The E.P. was mastered by the legendary Andy LaRocque from King Diamond and is very popular among the metalhead community throughout the country.

Circa 2012, they are back with another E.P. - "The Kissing Flies", this one will be released as a split with Vestal Claret's "Black Priest" album.

He does guitars, bass, synth's, hand percussion, drums, composing, programming, producing, designing…. Damn we are running out of breath while counting. Phew! We doubt he is a Machine Head.Well It would not surprise us if the name of his band was one man army. Infusing Indian/Arabic music and bit of jazz into their technical death and progressive metal sound. He is the pioneer of experimental/progressive metal movement in Indian metal scene. He also collaborated with musicians like Luke Jaeger of Sleep Terror/World Under Blood, former Tesseract vocalist Daniel Tompkins and Megadeth Ex-Guitarist Marty Friedman for Skyharbor's classic track Celestial. Who knew the guy born in April 1986 would play with drums and guitar instead of toys and do miracles at so small age. Today at Metal Wani, let us talk to the Vishal J Singh.

1. Talk with us about the birth of Amogh Symphony. Why this name?

Vishal: Thank you, Pallavi. That introduction was not needed though. I am sure there must be people who must be getting tired of reading such funny things about me (laughs). To be frank, I don’t like exaggerated stuff that media or fans write or talk about a particular artist. Do not get me wrong. I am just being cruelly honest about myself and the rest…you know. But yes, thank you.

19th December 2010 would always be a memorable date for me and many other metalheads who attended the Great Indian Rock Festival and were left spellbound by the phenomenon known as Meshuggah. I was among many who were left speechless at their mixture of crushing brutality, of a different kind nonetheless with clockwork precision. After that it was only obvious that their next album would be one of the most anticipated ones in both the Indian and International metal scene. There was a lot of hype surrounding this album, everyone was wondering whether it would top Obzen, their previous album, which was quite a beast if I do say so myself. So is it worth the wait? Let’s find out.

For all those who don’t know (which I doubt if there are any), Meshuggah are a five piece from Sweden consisting of Jens Kidman (Vocals), Tomas Haake (Drums), Frederik Thorendal(Guitars), Mårten Hagström (Guitars) and Dick Lövgren (bass).

The year was 1996-97. Max Cavalera was a man left beleaguered by tragedy. The death of his stepson, his wife getting fired as the Sepultura manager and his eventual departure from the band had all taken its toll on this staunch Brazilian Metal Overlord. Yet his resilience to see it through, was rightfully channeled. It was channeled into what we now know as Soulfly, his brainchild.

Soulfly caught my attention for the first time with their second album Primitive, and since then I’ve eagerly anticipated each and every release from them. The previous album, Omen wasn’t really that multifarious, but when you compare it to some of Soulfly‘s past efforts like Conquer and Primitive, it did sound a lot more varied. I certainly believe Soulfly have the potential to go far. Max Cavalera has traditionally been one of the most prolific people in metal, churning out new albums year after year.

There are very less Black Metal bands in India and very few who have achieved the status of calling themselves true black metal giants. I have even come across bands who claim to stay true to black metal roots while experimenting with other territories but still sound monotonous. The moment I came across the list of bands (Dimmu Borgir, Satyricon) which influence the 6 piece Punjab based Black Metal band Provissk, I had one question in my mind. Is Provissk true black metal or have those deep roots been abandoned for more accessible fare? Has Provissk sold their soul to the devil for commercial? Give me a break. The new track Bounded To The Sacred is the stuff of mall kids and eyeliner junkies. If one desires to split hairs over the correct genre categorization, Bounded To The Sacred is fundamentally heavy metal track with tinge of black metal oriented arrangements.

Cannibal Corpse - The pioneers of Death metal have once again jumped into the scene with their twelfth studio album “Torture”. Now, looking at the album art, you are bound to have the idea that the Corpse guys have gone ‘soft’. I mean, after artworks & titles like Butchered At Birth, Gore Obsessed, The Wretched Spawn and Vile, all they could come up with is a bare-skull headed man staring through a hole and naming it ‘Torture’? Does growing older have to do anything with this? But musically, Cannibal Corpse has left no stones unturned. Here goes the sneak peak of the album:

With over a decade under their belts and considered by many to be one of the pioneers of the burgeoning metal underground in India, Kryptos have spearheaded the steady rise of Indian heavy metal over the years and have been the flag-bearers of Old School Heavy Metal in the country.

Formed in late 1998, Kryptos have strived to create original, melodic metal, which combines the aesthetics of 80s thrash and pure melodic metal. Influenced by the likes of Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden along with heavy hitters like Coroner, Kreator, Candlemass, Dark Tranquillity and Nevermore, Kryptos manage to channel these influences into a sound that is all their own.

With a three albums, a live DVD and successive international tours, Kryptos are continually setting new standards and raising the bar for Indian heavy metal.

"The sound of Dark Helm is the journey of an ancient warrior through the sands of Persia and his quest to defend his throne, by bending time and cheating death", quotes Pune based progressive deathcore outfit which are one of the most promising metal bands to emerge from the Indian soil. Explosively progressive with twist of Traditional Indian Classical Instruments is what defines the angst-ridden sextet. They are the future of Indian music scene and to support them is our privilege and duty. We are happy to have the bassist of Dark Helm Shubhrayu with us tonight.

Epica’s new album – Requiem for the Indifferent, packs a punch. It’s their fifth studio album, and when it comes to electrifying guitars, thunderous drums, and symphonic sounds and structure, you can expect nothing less from Epica. Simone Simons’ vocals are incredible as ever on this record with an impressive reach of high notes, and guitarist/vocalist Mark Jansen still growls like a lion. The album is inspired by modern day factors like tension between different religions and cultures, wars, natural disasters and financial crisis. The lyrics are incredibly well done. Right from their first record, I always felt Epica has the ability to become a beautiful flower in the future. The previous album 'Design The Universe' was the peak point of Epica. Here is a sneak peak to the latest album:

In mid of 2009, this band popped out with the heat of Chennai and contributed to the uprising Metal Scene. Influences ranging from Rock bands like Tool to Technical Death Metal bands like Decapitated, this outstanding four piece band easily get the audience into groove in their live performances. The most interesting thing about this band is that their lyrics are inspired by movies and books which enliven their compositions. Let us welcome the band ESCHER’S KNOT which opened for Swedish Metal Band Hammerfall and Italian Gothic Metal band Lacuna Coil @ IIT Campus, Madras in 2010.

1. We are glad to have you here with us today. How is everyone?

Escher's Knot: Hey guys, we’re good . Thanks, Hoping the same at your end. Cheers \m/

The Indian thrash metal scene has had its inclination towards the extreme side of the genre towards bands that play a more visceral style of thrash like Devoid, Brute Force and Culminant. Even the somewhat accessible Prestorika have songs with serious political themes. Keeping these circumstances in mind, its safe to say that Thrash in India is all about brutality….or is it? Well Farrago seems to prove otherwise.

Attack Attack, Design the Skyline, Brokencyde et cetera et cetera….. The list goes on with bands heaping crap over crap. Goes for all supposedly metal records that seems to be recorded in a discotheque when a dance party was actually going on. These are the insects that have forever tainted the music industry and shall continue to do so. Layering crap over crap doesn’t or rather ever cancel each other out. For crap be it small or large is still crap in all its purity.

Burn the Water - Eschatological E.P rides on a central them which according to the band is:

Weird Anxiety's music can best be defined as progressive-dark metal, a music genre truly unique in itself. WA's music is so different that no other band on the entire globe fits in this genre. A blitzkrieg on the drums, Neanderthal growls and screams mixed with guttural grunts, pig squeals and howling, mellow and groovy bass-lines, poly rhythmic riffing accompanied with melancholic, ambient melodies and surreal keyboard tones filling the entire spectrum. This is WA's sonic kaleidoscope.

 1. Welcome Himalayan Black Metallers. How is it going?

Weird Anxiety: It’s a pleasure to be on Metal Wani. Well, we are sitting behind the curtains; waiting for our turn, lest The Plot Thickens.

2. Weird Anxiety was formed in the winters of 2003 in St.Edward's, Shimla and started off as a 3-piece Acoustic band. The band had a split in 2005 then Weird Anxiety re-grouped in the summer of the same year with a new lineup but remained as a 3-piece till 2007. Tell us more about this roller coaster journey.