The Loud Music Society

Here no more!

2010-12-13T22:07:00.000-08:00

We have shifted the blog to www.loudmusicsociety.wordpress.com
See you all there!

10 Essential Death Metal albums

2010-11-23T23:52:00.005-08:00

It is quite a common occurrence among “Non Metal heads” to invariably use the term “Death Metal” to refer to all sorts of metal they find repulsive. Now for those of you who think metal is simply loud rock music, then death metal will then be the logical end of metal music!

All death metal albums are often like runaway trains, with freeform song structures and chaotic solos flying everywhere. Vocals are throat-ripping growls. Guitars are tuned so low beyond the convention that they literally roar. Drums are so fast they sound like blenders in heat. The outcome is ugly, and gloriously so. If you want to see an athletic push himself to the limit, why hold back a musician?

“Death Metal is like spicy food. After one discovers spicy food, normal food is bland. After one discovers death metal, other rock music seems weak, easy and limp.”

If this has inspired you to explore the outward bounds of musicality and dexterity, check out these 10 essential death metal albums. The albums are merely arranged in a chronological order and do not imply their level of “greatness”.

Slayer - Reign in Blood [1986]
The 30 odd minutes of the album are one of death metal’s finest hour. The producer of the band Rick Rubin reportedly had to fight back tears after the Slayer quartet ripped through the album set. Popular music magazine “Kerrang!” termed it at “the heaviest album of all times.” Down-tuned rhythms, infectious guitar licks, graphically violent lyrics and grisly artwork – the album has it all to make for a perfect stepping stone to the world of death metal music.

Death - Leprosy [1988]
American guitarist and vocalist Chuck Schuldiner is considered as the “father of death metal”. The debut album of his band Death entitled Scream Bloody Gore is described as "death metal's first archetypal document". However, it was their second offering Leprosy that has the sign of ultra technicality that the band is known for. Listen to the viscous guitar work and vocals of Chuck Schuldiner and spirited drums of Richard Christy and you will understand why Norwegian black metal bands like Mayhem and Darkthrone still swear allegiance to Death.

Obituary - Slowly We Rot [1989]
Slowly We Rot is the ugliest death metal album ever. This was the first album of the pioneer death metal band Obituary done on a budget of mere hundreds of dollars. The album art itself looks like it was taken from a note book of a bored collage kid. John Tardy’s vocals were a mix of snarling lion and a human retching. Added to it are the ferocious primitive drumming and sludgy grooves and you have a sound so uniquely askew that it still sounds fresh today.

Deicide – Deicide [1990]
Deicide literally means “the killing of a God”. The band from Florida, US, did quite a few antics to set themselves apart from similar act in that area like Morbid Angel and Death including singer/bassist Glen Benton burning an inverted cross in his forehead. Their inclusion in this list has nothing to do with that. Their debut album is in the list for the sole reason – the music is much more engaging. The six-stringed duel between the two Hoffman brothers; machine guns double bass drumming by Steve Asheim – all of it create the perfect backdrop for vocalist Benton to growl, screech and howl.

Suffocation - Effigy of the Forgotten [1991]
This album by the band Suffocation is said to have laid roots of an entirely new sub-genre “Brutal Heavy Metal”. A low vocal delivery with highly technical power riffs and extremely fast tremolo picking on the guitar is a step away from the traditional melodic sense. Drummer Mike Smith’s beats are not just soft and fast taps like others but sledge hammer hits. Add to it an over-the-top artwork by metal artist Dan Seagrave – and you have an all time classic.

Fear Factory - Soul of a New Machine [1992]
Another debut album enters the list with Soul of a New Machine by Los Angeles death metal band Fear Factory. The album was a breakthrough in terms of vocal delivery. Vocalist Bell used for the first time, the scream-sing vocal style that many bands use now. The entire genre of metalcore would not exist without this album. Unfortunately, Fear Factory abandoned this sound on subsequent releases but nothing changes the fact that without Soul of a New Machine, metal wouldn't be what it is today.

Carcass - Heartwork [1994]
Carcass began as a grindcore band, when they were formed in 1985 in England. By the time they released their fourth studio album Heartwork, the band's sound have gradually became more melodic and complex, shading into death metal. The album had everything. Vocalist Jeff Walker was in fine form, the lyrics had a newly mature sense of abstraction, huge riffs, fluid leads, and crisp staccato harmonies. It is very sad that bands like this gets disbanded due to personal differences. Guitarist Amott went on to form melodic death metal act Arch Enemy. Bands like Arsis have carried forward the musical journey started by Heartwork.

Morbid Angel - Domination [1995]
Morbid Angel is one of the few pioneers that took death metal away from its roots in thrash metal. The album included in this list is ‘D’ for Domination which have followed an alphabetic theme of Morbid Angel’s albums starting with their debut album Altars of Madness. The album has everything loveable about Morbid Angel – from brutality of its earlier days to abstract lyrics and catchy songwriting of now. All in all, the album is full of stuff that has inspired other bands like Nile, Behemoth, and Hate Eternal.

At the Gates - Slaughter of the Soul [1995]
Of all bands in the Swedish metal scene, At the Gates is the most popular and has been in existence since the inception of Swedes Metal. Their album Slaughter of the Soul was released in the mid 90’s amidst the stagnation of metal acts in US and England. The unique sound was what the global audience of metal lovers was waiting for. The album is considered to be one of the breakthrough albums in the history of metalcore and the heavy metal genre as a whole. The American metalcore has basically taken this album and copied it a thousand times over! Thankfully, Slaughter of the Soul still held back its own.

Nile - In Their Darkened Shrines [2002]
Nile is among the very few bands that have successfully stuck to their theme since their inception. The band’s song writer Karl Sabdler who also doubles up as vocalist cum guitarist has a great fascination for Egyptology and other Middle Eastern cultures. This shows in all their lyrics across various albums. In Their Darkened Shrines is their third offering. The album is nothing less of a musical masterpiece with elaborate arrangement, skillful guitar play and abstract lyrics. So much so, if the Pharaoh of Egypt had lived today, he sure would have selected his national anthem from the album In Their Darkened Shrines.

10 shocking moments in music

2010-10-04T22:16:00.000-07:00

We live in a world where everybody is seeking their fifteen minutes of fame. Celebrities are worshipped; their public outbursts and tongue in cheek comments makes into breaking news of the day and long hours of weekend discussions. Every now and then, we come across news of who’s who in the music industry creating some controversy or the other. Many of them are mere gimmicks pulled off by wannabes to draw public attention. While there are few moments that have made even devote cynics stand up and notice.
We have tried to single out 10 such incidents that shocked not only the music fraternity, but the world at large.

Jim Morrison bares it all on stage

Jim Morrison was one of the most charismatic and influential frontmen in rock music history. His band members described him as a man who lived all his life on the edge. Controversy was his middle name. The man was accused of sparking riots when he tried to instigate the crowd against the police while on the stage.

However, the most talked about controversy was the case of ‘indecent exposure’ in 1969. While performing in The Dinner Key Auditorium in Miami, Jim Morrison unzipped his pants in full view of the audience. A warrant was issued against him by the authorities while his band members defended him as being unhappy with the audience who came only to see his stage antics and not enjoy the music.

Rage against award decision

Pop artist have long complained about their losing awards to less deserving colleagues. Of late, a few have come up with interesting ways to get their point across. However, no one expected what happened during the 2000 MTV Video Music award.

Tim Commerford of Rage Against Machine was deeply aghast when his band lose out to Limp Bizkit for the title of Best Rock Video. So much so, that the bassist climbed a piece of set scaffolding and refused to come down to protest against the verdict.

Ozzy Osbourne bit more than he could chew
Ozzy Osbourne – the Black Sabbath frontman is worshipped world over as the Godfather of Heavy Metal. The man is known for his stage antics – which in a way – was responsible for propelling Black Sabbath into a population deeply in love with The Beatles.

“Let the madness begin” – this is how every Ozzy Osbourne concert is set in motion. Scene was no different while the band was performing in Veterans Auditorium in Des Moines in January, 1982. No one anticipated that Ozzy would bite off more than he could handle. The entire crowd watched in awe and disgust, mostly the latter, as he chomped a dead bat thrown at him. So much so, a week later, Ozzy collapsed onstage from the effects of rabies shots he'd been taking since the Big Bite.

Blood on the stage
Darrell Lance Abbott, also known as "Diamond" Darrell or "Dimebag" Darrell was the lead guitarist and founding member of the heavy metal band Pentera (not sure about the spelling of the band…shud be Pantera I think) and Damage Plan. A regular entity in almost all ‘Top 10 metal guitarist’ list, Abbott earned the title of one of the most influential stylists in modern metal.

On December 8, 2004, Abbot was shot onstage at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio while playing with his band Damage Plan. The shooter shot Abbott thrice in the head which killed him instantly. The killer was a former US Marine whose paranoid schizophrenia caused delusions that the band (Pentera) could read his mind, and that they were "stealing" his thoughts and laughing at him.

Pope don’t preach
When Grammy award winner singer Sinead O’ Connor appeared as a musical guest on Saturday Night, no one had imagined her to protest over sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church in the way she did. While singing Bob Marley’s ‘War’, she changed the lyrics from ‘racism’ to ‘child abuse’ and tore the picture of Pope John Paul II while singing the word ‘evil’.

The incident effectively destroyed her career, at least as far as topping the charts, but Sinead has persevered and remains a powerful voice in rock and folk music today.

Kanye Beats the Bush

Everyone knew that Grammy award winning American rapper Kanye West never liked President Bush. Demonstrating his views against George W. Bush, in a 2006 live orchestral performance of "All Falls Down", West replaced "the White man gets paid off of all of that" with "George Bush gets paid off of all of that”

But nothing beats the live telecast of a benefit concert for Hurricane Katrina relief, when he deviated from the script and told the audience, "George Bush doesn't care about black people." Mike Meyers – Kanye’s screen partner during that nationally-televised farce, almost had a heart attack.

End of a ‘Thug life’

Late American rapper Tupac Amaru Shakur holds the Guinness Book of World Record for highest selling rap artist. Throughout his life, Tupac was involved in long legal battles with the administration. Sexual assault, shooting off-duty police officers, involvement in violent East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry – these are only a few of the cases against Tupac. The creatively talented rapper was shot down on September, 1996 by unknown gunman. Though it was the second attempt on his life, the hip hop fraternity all over the world grieved at his untimely demise.

State University of New York English professor Mark Anthony Neal indicated in his writings that the death of Shakur has left a "leadership void amongst hip-hop artists”. It is being said that after Tupac was cremated, some of his ashes was mixed with Marijuana and smoked by the members of his rap group ‘Outlawz’.

The Nipplegate incident
The Super Bowl 2004 halftime show gave millions of television viewer in the United States something to talk about for the year and remember the rest of their lives. During the show, Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson were performing a medley of their songs, when Justin reached his final line of "Rock Your Body", "I'm gonna have you naked by the end of this song", he did it for real! Justin pulled off Ms. Jackson’s costume revealing her right breast, much to the horror of the broadcasters.

The incident led to much media controversies and headlines. The Federal Communications Commission received more than half a million complaints against the incident and immediately slapped a fine of $550,000 on CBS.

Our Lord, Michael Jackson?
The BRIT Awards are equivalent to the Grammy’s in UK. In 1996, Michael Jackson was performing his “Earth Song”. In that over the top performance, the King of Pop portrayed himself as a Christ like figure surrounded by children, something which didn’t go down well with Jarvis Cocker, lead singer of Britpop band, Pulp.

The singer jumped on stage and waggled his bum in protest at Michael Jackson’s performance. The after effects – Cocker was arrested and it was claimed that he had assaulted Jackson's child dancers – but he was released without charge and sales of Pulp's Different Class album soared.

An ‘angry’ Queen of the Stone Age
During the Rock in Rio 2001 show, bassist Nick Oliveri of the band Queen of the Stone Age was arrested for going up to the stage naked, with only a bass guitar. This was nothing compared to what Jose Homme did in Norwegian Wood Festival in Oslo this year. The lead singer – suffering from fever during the show lost his cool when someone threw a shoe at him.

Not willing to take any nonsense from a rowdy festival fan, the sickly lead singer started to abuse the alleged culprit with liberal use of words that were offensive and at some point – unimaginable, especially when you are in front of 40,000 screaming fans. Many are disgusted by this verbal outbreak while others sympathized with the singer who was working hard despite being under the weather.

Top 10 Movies on Music

2010-09-29T05:32:00.000-07:00

Ok, lets get over with the cliche part of opening the countdown with something like music is an essential part of any movie director's armory and that it provides an aural canvas that enhances and underlines the visual effects on-screen. And during the course I make it evident from my excitement as a armature musician and a complete movie buff, there is nothing more entertaining for me than to sit down in a theater, watch a film based on music – feature and documentaries.

There were many that are based on music just like those on sports or ghosts or anything else one can think of. Not all of them shared the same fate; most of them disappeared while some of them stood out. And then there were some. We have hand picked the Top 10 among those movies based on music of all genres. Invariably, there will be a few movies left out due to limited position while some films like “Detroit Rock City” is left out intentionally to get back on KISS for selling out in the worst possible way – being the first and till date only metal band to have released a disco album!

10. Dig! (2004)

This documentary by Ondi Timoner is a compilation of seven years worth of footage following the development of careers of two bands – The Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Despite being termed as “a series of punch-ups and mishaps taken out of context, and at worse bold faced lies and misrepresentation of fact” by Brian Jonestown Massacre front man Anton Newcombe, the documentary won the Documentary Grand Jury Prize at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival.

The film revolves around the rise of the front men of the two bands, their friendship, their coming together to stage a revolution in the profit-driven music industry as well as their bitter rivalry that leads to arrests and even death threats. Anton may not like his portrayal as someone who missed many opportunities due to drug use and because of differences with the record label but the film won accolades from both fans and critics alike and thus secured a spot on our list.

9. Amadeus (1984)

I am not a very big fan of opera (at least not until the part on Richard Wagner on Metal documentary) Despite my complete ignorance, I managed to learn two names - Mozart and Beethoven. Number nine on the list is a feature film made on the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

I prefer watching a film that entertains, educates, or has artistic value. This 1984 classic by director Milos Forman has it all. The film is narrated in flashback with the confession of glorified Viennese court composer Antonio Salieri who was responsible for the death of Mozart. The film follows the trials and tribulations of Mozart’s life in Vienna – the city of musicians. The film is a very apt portrayal of Mozart’s unpredictable genius, his adult work and his sad demise.

The movie has won eight Oscars and many other awards to validate every good thing written about it here and everywhere else.

8. A Hard Days Night (1964)

Making a comedy film starring the Beatles at the height of their popularity is what now called is a "sell out" idea. But this movie inspired a million people (including my Dad) & even after four long decades, it continues to awe. Time magazine has rated it as one of the all time great 100 films. Without this movie, we would not have any day-in-the-life of rock stars films.

The film gives us a hilarious sneak peek into the busy life as a Beatle member which according to them is "a room and a car and a room and a car and a room and car" affair. The film successfully captures the Beatlemania among crying teenage girls at the sight of the four handsome young band members. A Hard Day’s Night was followed by another popular film – Help! If we were doing a top 25 countdown, then maybe we’d have included it too. As of now, A Hard Day’s Night should be enough to please all the Beatles fans out there.

7. Ray (2004)

Ray is based on the life and career of the legendary popular music pianist, Ray Charles. His contributions towards race music (or Rhythm and Blues as they are called now) are immense. "Genius Plus Soul Equals Jazz" record is one of the all time classics that can get anyone to listen to it, over and over again.My personal favourite - "Hit the Road Jack".

Jaime Foxx portrayed the maestro’s life’s struggle as a blind kid growing up in the South. The movie follows the life of Ray Charles, his rise from a world of racism and prejudice against the blinds to American popular music center-stage, his weakness for women and a terrible heroin addiction and ultimately his triumph over his personal demons. The most striking feature of the movie is that it never tries to sugar coat the harsh realities of the geniuses’ life – the truth with all its stickiness.

The movie tagline sums it all.

“The extraordinary life story of Ray Charles. A man who fought harder and went farther than anyone thought possible.”

6. The Wall (1982)

What I like most about the band Pink Floyd is that all its albums follow a certain theme and by the end of the album they drive home their point of view. Pink Floyd is one of the very few acts that do not believe in taking out a Greatest Hits compilation to make a quick buck. Instead, every album of Pink Floyd is an epic in its own rights.

The Wall is more like a video to the entire audio album with the same name. Though the film has a linier story of a rock singer “Pink” who lost his father in WWII and grew up under his over protective mother. The film follows his physical and mental development and how he made a wall around himself slowly and ultimately breaking it down.
The film is rich in symbolic imagery and is highly metaphorical – exactly like the music of Pink Floyd. If you are a psychedelic fan, I guess you must already have seen it, If not, shoot yourself!

5. School of Rock (2003)

Rock star Dewey Finn (played by Jack Black) is kicked out of his band No Vacancy. With surmounting pressure to pay his rent, Dewey gets into a prestigious elementary school as a fourth grade substitute teacher to earn some quick money. There he meets some kids who have some real talent to Kick some Ass. He forms a band named the School of Rock to participate and win the “Battle of Bands.”

Though they ultimately lose the competition to No Vacancy, the students accept it that their entire stint with Rock and Roll had increased their self esteem. The movie captures the spirit of old school Rock and Roll, which was all about standing against the Man until it was spoilt with a thing called MTV.

The movie is funny as hell. Watch Jack Black on one of his best performances.

4. Almost Famous! (2000)

Another mainstream Hollywood movie to have made it to the list is the semi autobiographical account of a teenage journalist writing for the Rolling Stones magazine. Cameron Crowe – the director of the film Almost Famous himself was a teenage writer for the same magazine and used to tour with bands like The Allman Brothers Band, Led Zeppelin and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

The movies is a coming of age story of aspiring teenage writer William Miller (played by Patrick Fugit) following a 70’s band named Stillwater while trying to write a cover story of them for the Rolling Stones magazine. The movie has its share of twists and turn in a world of Rock and Roll – an art form that has slowly turned into a profit center with many taboos attached to it. The journey of a young wannabe journalist with his heroes, losing his virginity and stretching the limit of what is morally right or wrong as defined by his mother – it all comes together to tell a heart warming story about the glam as well as the dark underbelly of Rock and Roll.

In its review, Rolling Stone magazine's Peter Travers wrote, "Not since A Hard Day's Night has a movie caught the thrumming exuberance of going where the music takes you".

3. This is Spinal Tap (1984)

This is Spinal Tap is a mocumentary based on a fictional band named “Spinal Tap.” The film has many comic scenes inspired by the real life Rock and Roll excesses and over the years has become a common reference amongst the music fraternity. In fact, many musicians including the likes of Robert Plant (vocalist, Led Zeppelin) Dee Snider (vocalist Twisted Sister) and Ozzy Osbourne have said that there were instances in the film that actually has happened to them in real life – like getting lost in back stage arena while trying to find the stage to perform. After watching the movie, guitarist Van Halen said, “Everything in that movie has happened to me.”

The film begins with neophyte director Marty DiBegri (played by Rob Reiner) presenting his “rockumentary” on ageing British band Spinal Tap on their North American concert tour for the promotion of their latest album Smell the Glove. The movie is a series of goof up parodies of many bands. The incident of a complete black cover album after the controversy of their original album cover of Smell the Glove is clearly inspired by Metallica’s Black Album. Incidentally, Metallica’s first album was initially called “Metal up your Ass” before renaming it to “Kill ‘em All.” Similarly, Spinal Tap’s persistent problem with their drummer is a take on many bands like Led Zeppelin, The Who and Judas Priest who always had a drummer problem.

A memorable quote from the movie (while the band opened a concert in the US-

We are Spinal Tap from the UK - you must be the USA!

2. Stop Making Sense (1984)

For those who have not heard of the band Talking Heads, it is most likely that they will become a fan of the band after watching their concert movie titled Stop Making Sense. Unlike Dig! which was created after editing 2, 000 hours worth of tapes, this 1984 concert movie featuring one of the leading bands of New Wave was shot in just three days. This is considered by many critics as the best concert movie of all times and was directed by Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia).

The movie opens with David Byrne coming up to the stage and sing “Psycho Killer” with only his acoustic guitar. As the concert progresses, other band members as well as many guest performers gets on the stage one after another to give what is regarded as one of the spirited performance by the band. Unlike other films in the genre, Stop Making Sense does not employ quick-cut editing popularized by MTV. Instead, the movie uses lengthy camera shots to give viewers a feeling of being actually there. Similarly, close up of performing artists are left out for full figure or upper body shots. Both audience shots and applause sound – which is considered to be a trade mark for all concert films, are kept at a minimal here.

Apart from these innovations, a major factor of the film’s popularity goes to the charismatic front man with high energy level backed by an equally inspired group of musicians. A must watch for those who are bored with all the concert films that looks the same.

1. The Last Waltz (1978)

Some of you might wonder why we have put a concert film of relatively less known band in the number one spot. The Last Waltz is a concert film held in Thanksgiving Day in 1976 by a Canadian rock group called The Band. Rather than just a concert, the film captures the end of The Band’s illustrious touring career. After sixteen long years on the road, The Band had decided to call it a day and sum it up with The Last Waltz.

Watching it gives you a whole new appreciation for The Band. Amazing enough by themselves, the guest appearances by artists like Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Eric Clapton, and Neil Diamond makes the movie even more enjoyable!

Metal Genealogy

2009-04-28T00:41:00.000-07:00

3FH92RMWC8YX
One of those things that you might need at times. Metal do have a crazy number of sub-genres. 3FH92RMWC8YX

Until the next post...stay evil 3FH92RMWC8YX

Coolest Dog Ever!!!

2008-06-03T02:28:00.000-07:00

Heavy Metal Dog
Uploaded by misstoukette

Album Art

2008-02-26T21:03:00.000-08:00

Too much of head banging and a little bit of intoxication inspired (mind the bold and italics) my pal Gautam, to come up with quite a few interesting pieces of Album Art. Looking for your feedback before we actually put one of them it in our debute album cover. :o)

Oh...BTW, if you want to use it for you're debute cover - ask him to get inspired more often

Megadeth Set List

2008-02-21T04:20:00.000-08:00

What songs are Megadeth will play in India this March? I just got hold of Megadeth's set list for India. Guys, download the lyrics and mug them well. Mustaine should be proud of us!

01. Sleepwalker
02. Take No Prisoners
03. Wake Up Dead
04. Skin O' My Teeth
05. Washington Is Next!
06. Kick The Chair
07. In My Darkest Hour
08. Hangar 18
09. Gears Of War
10. A Tout Le Monde
11. Tornado Of Souls
12. Ashes In Your Mouth
13. Never Walk Alone
14. Symphony Of Destruction
15. Trust
16. Peace Sells
17. Burnt Ice
18. Holy Wars

Killer road leads to India

2007-12-19T04:54:00.000-08:00

Now here’s another biggie! After Iron Maiden and Scorpions, this time it’s one of the Big Four of thrash metal – Megadeth. I came across this piece of information that they are coming to Bangalore! How cool is that! Here’s a screen grab for you!!

Gawd…I already got Goosebumps.

Sepultura – Chaos AD in the capital

2007-11-06T01:32:00.000-08:00

I was dying to share my experience of the Sepultura concert with you guys but my house-hunting expedition seems to have taken up all my time. So finally I am here…blabbering away to glory about the gig.

To be honest…Delhi is no place for an out and out metal show. The show was held in some amphitheater in Pragati Maidan. I was shocked at the tinny winny size of the venue, but the organizers seems to be quite familiar with the capital crowd who are least bothered about ‘real’ rock and metal apart from making funny faces and shouting “you ROCK man” (How Stupid). There were hardly 2000 people in the whole arena (compared to 10 times more turn out in Shillong and Bangalore). Mostly were students and North-Eastern.

Sepultura was kick ass – as expected, churning out hits after hits, starting with ‘Refuse – Resist’ and finally winding up with ‘Roots’. The new drummer (forgot his name) was goooood, but I was really expecting a drum solo at some point of time. Missed the authentic Brazilian instruments too – which the metal outfit generally include in their shows. But these petty things hardly matters and we – me and a few of fellow head bangers whom I meet up for every gig in town, made sure that had a good time. Ultimately, came out of the show with a sore neck, throat and splitting headache – SUCCESS!

Now the goof ups.

Entry was supposed to be from 4:30 and we were there religiously there at around 4. But we had to stand there till about 7:30 – way beyond the official starting time to enter the arena.

Opening band Metakix was a major fuck off. No way, are they eligible to open for a band like Sepultura. Whatever happened to all the metal bands in India? The vocalist (err…I am bad with names!) said something about little time for sound check and all that jazz. Excuses apart, as a WARM UP band, they simply failed to deliver.

The crowd had no clue what songs were being played. More than true metal head, the place seems to be filled with wannabes with a spare evening…trying hard to be cool by coming to a rock show. No matter how many times it was announced that the crowd rocked…as a part of it, I admit…that we sucked…BIG TIME.

Now some behind the scene...

There was this woman who kept on asking a ‘cool dude’ in pony why are all dressed in black? The poor soul, seem to be at loss trying to explain the association of the color Black with Metal.

Bang next to the venue, there was a marriage going on...so while coming out, Bollywood masala mixes from it was a rude shock (So much for head bang - welcome to reality!)

This one is the clincher...

Hot babe in short skirt and hooker boots, standing on the line...asks her friend "Do they play rock?"

The longest rock festival in India

2007-10-20T04:18:00.000-07:00

Get ready to be thunderstruck by Shark Tooth Live Storms - the longest rock festival in India! Starting 24, October 2007 through February 08, the storm will blow over five cities - Bombay, Pune, Bangalore, Kolkata and Delhi. Over 72 bands from all rock sub-genres possible performing in Pub and auditorium gigs (electric and unplugged), followed by a grand outdoor finale in Mumbai in February 08.

Event sponsored by Shark Tooth and managed by Conditions Apply - a Bombay Rock Association and An Echo collaboration.

Catch the launch gig on Oct 24 at Sports Bar 7.30 pm onwards. Bands playing - Vayu, Dream Out Loud, Something Relevant and Imaad Shah. Entry is free :)

Here is the complete schedule for all the cities...

Mumbai

24-Oct-07 Dream Out Loud, Vayu, Something Relevant, Imaad Shah
Sports Bar, Lower Parel

8-Nov-07 Tribute To The Doors: One Night Only, Sparsh
Not Just Jazz By The Bay, Churchgate

5-Dec-07 Scribe, Skincold, Infernal Wrath
Razz, Juhu

13-Dec-07 Groovelab, Aftertaste, Sliver
Bond, Mulund

23-Dec-07 Metakix, Redemption, Blackhole Theory
Marine Centre, Vashi

28-Dec-07 Junkyard Groove, The Superfuzz, Something Relevant, Lionnel Mascarenhas, The Works
St. Andrew's, Bandra

5-Jan-08 Depths, 5th Octave, Red Cube, Surface Trauma, Avial
Bond, Mulund

17-Jan-08 Split, Human Abstract, Medusa, Rainvan, Tripwire
Razz, Juhu

25-Jan-08 Unplugged: Zero, Split, Vayu, Imaad Shah
St. Andrew's, Bandra

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Delhi

22-Nov-07 Half Step Down, Level 9, Lazy River
Cafe Morrison, South Ex. II

9-Dec-07 Unplugged: Thermal And A Quarter, Them Clones, Junkyard Groove
Hamsadhwani, Pragati Maidan

14-Dec-07 The Superfuzz, Cyanide, another band
Aquifer, M-Block Mkt. GK-II

13-Jan-08 Metakix, IIIrd Sovereign, Rest In Peace
Cafe Morrison, South Ex. II

3-Feb-08 Frequency, Another Vertigo Rush, another band
Opus, Priya Complex

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Pune

1-Nov-07 Retrolegendary Act, Strange Brew, Trees On Fire
Soul Avenue, ABC Farms

23-Nov-07 Half Step Down, Headrush, Unbound
Not Just Jazz By The Bay, E-Square

7-Dec-07 Junkyard Groove, Zero, Lionnel Mascarenhas
Oasis, Kothrud

13-Dec-07 Black Hole Theory, Infernal Wrath, Metakix, Drakkon
Zaha, Kothrud

21-Dec-07 Aftertaste, Silver, Sparsh, Groovelab
Not Just Jazz By The Bay, E-Square

11-Jan-08 Unplugged: Brute Force, Vayu, Split, another band
Oasis, Kothrud

7-Feb-08 Demonic Resurrection, Brute Force, Depths Of Sufferings
Zaha, Kothrud

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Bangalore

4-Nov-2007 Myndsnare, Extinct Reflections, Metakix
Legends Of Rock, Koramangala

15-Nov-2007 Unplugged: Thermal And A Quarter, Caesar's Palace, Drum Circle with Roberto Narayan, Something Relevant
Alliance Francias, Vasanthanagar

30-Nov-2007 Tribute to Jimi Hendrix: Ministry Of Blues, another band
Le Rock, Off-Brigade Road

9-Dec-2007 Myndsnare, Kryptos, another band
Legends Of Rock, Koramangala

21-Dec-2007 Avial, Parousia, Pushing Tin
Le Rock, Off-Brigade Road

6-Jan-2008 Fahreheit, Inner Sanctum, Bhoomi
Legends Of Rock, Koramangala

19-Jan-2008 Myndsnare, Kryptos, Extinct Reflections, Demonic Resurrection
Guru Nanak Bhavan, Near Cantonement Station

1-Feb-2008 Caesar's Palace, Lounge Piranha
Le Rock, Off-Brigade Road

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Kolkata

17-Nov-2007 Lou Majaw, Imaad Shah
Someplace Else, Park Street

24-Nov-2007 Span, Insomnia
Someplace Else, Park Street

15-Dec-2007 Cassini's Division, Jack Rabbit, another band
Princeton Club, Prince Anwar Shah Road

22-Dec-2007 Crystal And The Witches, The Supersonics
Princeton Club, Prince Anwar Shah Road

29-Dec-2007 Unplugged: Span, Cassini's Division, The Hobos
CCFC, Gurusaday Road

12-Jan-2008 The Hobos, Five Little Indians, another band
Princeton Club, Prince Anwar Shah Road

19-Jan-2008 Pink Noise, Five Little Indians
Soho

2-Feb-2008 Skinny Alley, Krosswindz, Insomnia
CCFC, Gurusaday Road

Sepultura to visit the ROOTs of civilization

2007-10-06T05:35:00.000-07:00

That’s what I’m talkin bout…

Its official now.

Sepultura this time…and not just in the perennial Bangalore, but in Delhi and Shillong too!!! Now that’s a start…wonder whatever happened to RHCP rumors.

Ppl…its time to grab one of those black sepultura T’s and hope they start selling tickets soon...

Update... Sepultura tickets should be available in TICKETPRO. Here's their banner that I found out

Just hope they don't burn up my wallet!

Wish you were here...the final chapter

2007-08-21T05:11:00.000-07:00

Continuing with our countdown of our Top 5 rockers who left us too soon, we are now on the final leg of our journey. The first two names on the list – Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix, were the obvious choices. The next three names that made it to our list was a closely contested one. Names like Kurt Cobain, Darrell Dimebag and the band Lynyrd Skynyrd were considered and reconsidered over and over again!

So here are the last three names that made to our Metal Bigot's list.

John Bonham: ( 31 May 1948 – 25 Sept 1980): the speed king.

Power, speed and feel for the groove – no one can do it better than John Bonham. Describing the style of John Bonham's drumming instantly conjures up visions of the thunderous power he created. One can only imagine Jimmy Page's reaction on first hearing the sound of their potential new drummer for their band, the New Yardbirds (later renamed Led Zeppelin.) At first, Bonham was reluctant to join the well-known guitarist because of a steady gig with Tim Rose. But... the rest is history...

Live performances with Led Zeppelin truly showcased his abilities during the numerous improvised jams throughout every concert with drum solos extending to half-hour at times! Imitators are usually left frustrated, since Bonham made it look so easy - not only in his playing but also in the incredible drum sound he achieved. His legendary right foot (on his bass pedal) and lightning-fast triplets were his instant trademark. Later on, he refined his style from the hard skin-bashing approach to a more delicate wrist controlled one - which produced an even more powerful and louder sound with less effort.

Randy Rhoads: (Dec 6 1959 – Mar 19 1982): the Flying V

The man who popularized Flying V guitars, brought influences of classical guitar to heavy metal – Randy Rhoads is the man behind 'take no prisoner' solos of Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman. A devoted classical guitarist, Randy had an unique neo-classical metal style of playing. Ozzy Osbourne – the father of Brit heavy metal himself described Rhoads' playing as "God entering my life."

From being criticized for being dull during his stint with Quite Riot to classic hits like Crazy Train and Mr. Crowley, Randy Rhoads evolved as one of the greatest metal guitarist of all times during his association with the ex Black Sabbath frontman. So much so, Jackson Guitars had created two signature models – Jackson Randy Rhoads or Randy Rhoads pro to pay tribute to this axe wielder. But before the guitars got into production, Randy was killed in an attempt to fly past their touring bus on an aircraft to buzz his sleeping band-mates. Crazy metalheads!!!

Janis Joplin: (Jan 19 1943 – Oct 4 1970): Sweet face of Rock 'n Roll

Oh lord, wont you buy me a mercedes benz ?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz?

Her powerful and distinctive voice, outlandish dress and lifestyles, her out spokenness and sense of humour – Janis Joplin was the face of the flower generation. This American blues singer gave a new range of expression for white women in the previously male-dominated world of post-Beatles rock. Infact, the small heart tattoo on her left breast is considered as one of the seminal moment in tattoo revolution.

However, she earned a dubious reputation as speed freak, heroin user and a heavy drinker. Her penchant for a beverage named Southern Comfort was well known. Ultimately, she died of heroin overdoes in her hotel room. A tragic end to such a illustrious career.

So, thats the end of our countdown. We realize that it is impossible to include many names in this list...our sincere aplogies. If there is any suggestion...you know what to do!!!

Wish you were here too

2007-08-18T04:11:00.000-07:00

So guys...here I am, with the next section of the Top 5 rock artists that kicked the bucket before their prime. As I had mentioned in my last blog, our selection is based on just three metal heads preferences and understanding, there is plenty of room for further debate and brainstorming. We have a whole comment section for that! However, the next person on this countdown was an unanimous decision – if you dare to differ, we can slog it out!!! (lolz)

Jimi Hendrix: (27 Nov 1942 – 18 Sept 1970) – the son of six strings

This American had an extra body part which had strings and a fret board. The way this wizard wielded his Fender Stratocaster, one is bound to regard it as an extension of his body. His hands were long enough to fret across all six strings with his thumb. So, he used to play rhythm and solo simultaneously (awesomely wicked...ain't it?). This lanky guy who slept while on duty, had little regard for regulations and showed no skill as a marksman while serving the army, turned out to be the greatest guitarist of all times

From experimenting with psychedelic sounds and blues jazz or funk based rhythms to stereophonic and phasing out effects – the master craftsman was synonymous with improvisation. From covers of popular songs like 'Hey Joe' and 'Like a Rolling Stone' to original masterpieces like Purple Haze, Foxy Lady, Voodoo Child and Angel – Jimi Hendrix always managed to give much more than anybody's expectation. During the legendary 1969's Woodstock music festival, Young Jimi delivered a historic performance that includes his version of the Star Spangled Banner – a solo improvisation which became a defining moment of the 60s.

Wish you were here

2007-08-16T05:25:00.000-07:00

'Only the good die young
All the evil seems to live forever'

They came...they excite us...blew away our mind...and quickly fade away to the background, leaving us high and dry, gasping for more. Rock and all its allied fields have innumerable examples of young prodigies who broke glass ceilings, ventured into new waters and have made a mark in our mind. To make a list of such young guns that burned out too quickly is a daunting task in itself; forget singling out the top five among them.

Tradaptor had his own list of favorites, so did Tyro and me! (Me being the most opinionated among them) Series of brainstorming session, heated arguments, about 20 liters of coffee and a carton of cigarettes later, we came up with what we felt should be on the top five. BTW...thanks rakatizer for your valuable inputs!

Jim Morrison: (8 Dec 1943 – 3 July 1971) – the rebel poet

A singer, song writer, film director, writer but most importantly...a poet. Jim Morrison is probably the most influential and charismatic front man of all times, inspiring innumerable singers and bands all over the world (including me!). His best known works are with the legendary band The Doors, where he handled the vocals, song writing and most of the pretty looking groupies! This man has a lot to do with the rock star image. From being surly, mysterious, scandalous to his penchant for leather pants – Jim Morrison had all the ingredients of and surely IS the Original rock star.

Controversy was Morrison's middle name. Right from inflammatory lyrics asking one to 'Kill your father and F@ck your mother' till the very end of his life – his mysterious death in Paris, Jim Morrison always had the driven the system nuts!! After all, that's what the spirit of Rock is all about...right?

We're not listening!!!

2007-07-16T03:27:00.000-07:00

Unrestricted, unbiased and brutally honest – this has been the treadmark of Rock and Metal lyrics. Hate, anger, suffering, substance abuse, war, death, the devil and sometimes, broken relationships are popular themes that have created a long list of songs appreciated by Metal heads around the world. So much so, people even tend to pick out the negative meanings of few 'innocent' rock numbers and branded them as evil. Classic example would be the controversy surrounding the Led Zeppelin's legendary masterpiece – Stairway to Heaven, which was accused of being some weird devil's song when played backwards!!! The British Hard Rock band fittingly replied the devil chant theorists that their turntable plays the tape only forward. More recently, German band Rammstein's popular track 'Du Hust' is translated as 'You Hate me' instead of the actual meaning 'You Ask me'.

Could this attitude at large possibly explain Rock or Metals or any related genre's exclusion from mainstream pop culture? The popular culture seem to be reluctant to leave the tried and tested formula of 4x4 beats and sick love or party songs in Intro-Chorus-Solo-Chorus format. Afterall, everybody in the show business is here to earn money. There's nothing wrong with that. Everyone, including me wants to get rich...filthy rich. But does that means you turn a blind eye on all the evil in the society and pretend that they don't exists?

Black Sabbath sang about 'evil mind plotting destruction and politicians using humans as pawns in chess'. How true! Yet we went ahead and term them as Sympathizer of the Devil! Why? Is it because their front-man Ozzy accidentally bite a live bat on stage or these questions made someone uncomfortable? System of a Down number 'Coupsey' was banned from airplay because its 'lyrics are controversial' WTF. All they said was that they don't trust in your self righteous suicide. I don't believe in it too. Sepultra's recent album was banned because its album cover had sensitive images of Christ. (Whatever happened to artistic freedom and all that jazz?).

I can go on like this forever and ever about all the injustice they did, and are still doing to people like us in the name of moral policing. Looking away from a problem doesn't make it go away. They remain till you don't talk and do something about it. Hiding away in plastic beats and synthesized voice is a gross misuse of a strong medium like music. Instead it should be used to inspire generations to ask questions, to speak their mind, to judge whats right and wrong on their own.

If listening to “EVIL” music makes you speak your mind...I'd say, bring it on!!
lml

Rock Show DNAs - A Beginner's Guide

2007-03-30T02:47:00.000-07:00

Born and brought up in a place where every second person is a musician and where you'll find a band in every by-lane, my inclination toward 'western' music started right from infancy...well almost! By high school, I had a band of my own where I was the oh so kewl drummer. Not because I wanted to be a drummer, (I always wanted to be a guitarist but soon realized my just about average guitar playing skills) but because the group I hang out with had much talented guitarists and there was nobody else to keep the beat.

The addiction for Rock and all its variant took me to all parts of the country... bonding & belonging as a part of the GREAT INDIAN ROCK scene. During these expeditions, I've come across hundreds of head bangers and a$$ holes alike coming together for a rock show, to have a good time or even to kill time!!!

This post goes out for those new to the Indian scene, an humble attempt to classify the people you are likely to find in a Rock show. Sounds weird? well read on...

1. Hardcore( Metal Mentality)

This breed is easily identifiable. More than 70 percent of the crowd consists of people belonging to this category. They generally sport long locks with or without beads, very short crop or even bald but never a 'normal' haircut. Pierced ears are common, so is pierced eyebrows, lips and all other imaginable and unimaginable body parts. Black T shirts of bands like Metallica, Iron Maiden, Bob Marley, Slayer and a pair of really old denims (far too stereo-typed now to be rebelliously fashionable...but somehow it always does the trick.) This is not the absolute dress code but black is the more or less, the official colour.

If you look closer, the Hardcore category can be further divided into smaller groups based on parameters other than their outlook:

a.) The Wannabes (Thinking Metal): These are the types who have their own garage bands and fancy themselves on the stage in the next few years. You'll find this category either at the front to watch closely how the guys play or at the very last row, watching the tricks of the trade from a distance, nodding approvingly or lamenting how better they are but it is just the .

b.) The Metalheads (Banging Metal): They start for any Rock Show a good two hours in advance so that they can bet some quick booze before the show actually starts. Use of chemicals is not very uncommon though not widespread. This sub breed lives the life of a Rock Star, shows a great level of finesse in the art of Head Banging. Being sloshed during most of the show, they are prone to pick up a fight anytime before, after or during the show. This group is generally the most vocal and energetic part of the crowd.

c.) The Comfortably Numbs (Lost in Translation): Members of this category are big fans of Pink Floyd, Marley, The Doors and other psychedelic music. Most of them are good with words and poetry and share a common passion – Marijuana. You'll find them in circles, quickly rolling up joints so that they get just the right 'High' to enjoy music. The irony is that by the time they achieve 'Nirvana', the show is over. Every time.

2. New Kids on the Block

Bitten by the Rock bug, this section of the crowd tries to enter the heavily guarded turf of the first category. They try hard and at times too hard to be a part of the tribe. Their outfit resembles the Hardcore category but prints can vary from Britney Spears to a WWE superstar.
Skimpily dressed chicks who are with their boyfriends and who have no idea what the hell the Vocalist is screaming...err singing falls into this category. But they dress smart, looks hot and adds zing to otherwise all male shows. Thank you very much.

3. The Metal Bashers (pun intented)

This category of the group represents the attitude of our society at large. They do not last more than an hour if left alone. In the company of other members of this breed, they'll spend the whole evening criticizing the Noise (music), the Lunatics (the Hardcores) and discussing the chicks. If more in numbers, they do not shy away from shouting phrases like 'Himesh Reshmiya bajaoo' and other such nonsense. Why are they here? Reasons could be varied. Free passes and otherwise boring evening are popular excuses.

4. The Ball Breakers

This category of parasites are found not only in a Rock shows but in all walks of life. On roads, in crowded buses and all sorts of public places. Got the hint? Yeah, the a$$ holes who get a kick from rubbing themselves and their genitals against women or men. Crowded places like a rock show is their happy hunting ground.

This is it for now. I will keep you posted if I happen to discover any new breed. :)

What a fuck!n' day!!!

2007-03-23T04:42:00.000-07:00

You've to go through the fire of hell to be worthy enough of God's love. The scene was no different when I traveled around 2000 kilometers to see my Gods perform live. An orgasmic dream since my early days of head banging - Iron Maiden performing in India!!!

We're at Palace Ground at around 11 to find ourselves among metal-heads waiting there since 6 in the morning! 'Phuck, we're late' – we thought. We ran like hell to the entry when some 'ars-hole' announced, 'gates gonna be opened soon'. Between possessed Maiden fans and the unrelenting security guys, time could only crawl. 2 hours passed. I thought I'd die in the heat, sweat, smell, dust, smoke!!! My bladder was about to burst.

Finally the gates opened and the mad race was on. I was lucky enough to survive the stampede, even luckier to get to the first row! A wild evening followed that left me with a sore throat, headache, a pair of tired legs and a really painful neck from all the head banging. But when Bruce Dickinson said about 'being there at the beginning' all my pain faded away. Today when I sit down in the comfort of my room and write this piece of 'sheet', there's just one feeling in my heart – It was worth it!

Up the Irons!