Solar Deity is proud to be a part of the Motorhead India Tribute! You can listen to all the tracks and preorder the release and merchandise from this link: http://motorheadtribute.bandcamp.com/
You can also read Devdutt Nawalkar‘s review on Old Disgruntled Bastard.
Metal Gig Announcement: Solar Deity, Albatross and Reptilian Death LIVE at Blue Frog
Movie Review: “Go Goa Gone” is Bollywood’s first stoner-zombie-comedy
Gojira! It’s a Herculean name in itself, and this review is coming from a guy who has been listening to Gojira for four years now. They have their own territory in this ginormous metal scene. It’s a major and well-known stop for any metalhead. They sound fanfuckintastic in both forms i.e live and on record. The Flesh Alive DVD is an immense evidence of how fucking tight they are and can be! They sound awfully insane in the Flesh Alive CD. That was my first impulse before album could come out (leak). But then I got my hands on L’Enfant Sauvage where they sound like gods of their scene. They have their own sound, and it makes the progressive metal world go crazy. The Way Of All Flesh was a fucking win for every Gojira fan. They have what it takes to stand apart from any other mainstream band. Back then, I got blown away from their versatility. Now, this album is an extension of the Gojira sound, but not an expansion. I was hoping for the same amount of change which took place between Terra Incognita and The Way Of All Flesh. Nevertheless, I’m still saying L’Enfant Sauvage has what it takes to unquestionably be the album of the year.
On the current album, one would easily discover the use of two or more pitches turning out to be ‘reciting tones’, the use of which is perfect. I mean, it’s just flawless. The first song to notice this in is ‘The Axe’ – a mixture of death and black metal which only Gojira is capable of doing. The reason I call it “black metal” is because of its dark journey with the chanting in the background. It makes you close your eyes and feel the ambience through your head (on-a-loop kind of material). It’s one of my duckie picks from the album. ‘Liquid Fire’ is like a prolongation of the ‘The Axe’. That doesn’t mean anything bad – its a jaw-smashing beauty with one tempo carried throughout. ‘Mouth Of Kala’ has the pace that only Gojira can carry… such a groove throughout the song, with the gloomy pitch running in the background, and bassline is world-class. Such uniqueness, oh boy!
And here comes my favorite track for this year: Gojira takes it away with ‘The Gift Of Guilt’. A great idea of what Gojira can do to a song. Diversity!? Check. Groove!? Check. Heaviness!? Check. Perfection!? Check. It passes the entire test. I like the way it ends but if a solo could have been written for the end, ‘The Gift Of Guilt’ would have crossed all the limits to be Gojirasmic. Other tracks such as ‘Pain Is A Master’ is a deluding track as it starts with a slow ambient part and bashes away into the technicality of “death metal”.
I’m thoroughly impressed with what Gojira are offering here. This album is a huge transformation, more twisted towards the unique ‘progressive’ sound, which in itself is a massive thing to achieve, but it is not, as I stated earlier, an ‘expansion’. Buy or download L’Enfant Sauvage or do whatever you want. But listen to it!
GIG REVIEWS: Deathfest 2 | Metal Bajaao Special Edition
MOVIE REVIEWS: Department | Shanghai | The Cabin In The Woods
Ashwin Dutt‘s long journey from Kinky Ski Munky to The Riot Peddlers
Having taken their names from three atheistic schools of Hinduism, an angry antitheistic force is penetrating deeper into the emptiness of religion
The sound of the tabla on Contaminating The Ganges is the most ominous part on Drowning The Elephant God, a direct shot at the mythological deity Ganesh, whose idols are immersed in water bodies every year either during or after the nine-day festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. While Maharashtrians won’t take too kindly to this critical attack, Heathen Beast have a much more extreme force to deal with: their third song on their new release is called Bakras To The Slaughter, a sensitive topic for Muslims who won’t react sensitively to this diatribe. Not exactly the poster boys of vegetarianism themselves, Heathen Beast explain their stance by clarifying that they are meat-eaters against inhumane slaughter.
The tables are on the song about Bakri Eid as well, and even in the middle of the title track, and why not? Heathen Beast are no strangers to Indian musical instruments. Samkhya – the bassist, and Mimamsa – the drummer, are brothers born to parents who are heavily into Indian classical music and own and run a studio. It is at this studio that Heathen Beast records its religion-bashing metal. When there is no commercial work on, and the vocalist/guitarist Carvaka, who works in an advertising firm in Kolkata, is in Mumbai, the studio emanates hellish sounds as the trio captures the blasphemy to unleash it upon this god-fearing world.
More direct than on their debut, Ayodhya Burns, the band moves away from questioning Blind Faith and criticizing Religious Genocide, and pulls up three religions for their destructive practices. The Marathis are made fun of for Ganpati Visarjan, the celebration of which cause pollution of air, sound and water; the Brahmin caste is criticized for polluting the Ganga, the holiest river of India; and Islam is attacked for the mass slaughter of goats and cows on Bakra Eid. How the religious faithful will react to this music if they come to know of its existence is debatable. Some will accept it as freedom of speech while the response from others might be harsh, and maybe even violent, which is why Heathen Beast aren’t revealing their true identities. The members operate under the names Carvaka, Samkhya and Mimamsa – the three atheistic schools of Hinduism, and even their friends who know the three musicians jam every now and then aren’t aware that these young men who graduated from college last year are the extreme force known to the underground metal scene as Heathen Beast.
Obfuscating details about their lives, Heathen Beast say that who they are and what they look like is not important, and instead talk about all that drives them to create music of this nature and the meaning behind it. With only EPs being released from their ordnance, Heathen Beast‘s fury may seem fugacious, but its relevance cannot be questioned. May the short blasts lead to loud explosions and eventually a big bang that empowers many more people to reject religion without hesitation, to challenge the notion that an almighty god exists and controls this world from high heaven and that hell awaits the heathen unbelievers; to be free from the shackles of faiths that only chain and divide, and to draw strength from within without fearing wrath from above.
“The Drowning Of The Elephant God” releases 23rd May, 2012, and can be downloaded along with Heathen Beast‘s 2010 debut “Ayodhya Burns” from HEATHENBEAST.BANDCAMP.COM
MORE FREE DOWNLOADS: Solar Deity‘s In The Name Of Satan | Solar Deity‘s Snowless
By Kunal Choksi
1) The Dead – Ritual Executions
The second full-length album of the Australian band The Dead is a brilliant mix of twisted, brain-warping death metal and miasmic sludgy/stoner doom. Perfectly arranged to maintain a sublime, engrossing balance, the combination of sharp, visceral hooks and massive doom trudges with remarkably groovy parts render Ritual Executions one of the most unique and fascinating albums to be released in this era. The remixing and remastering done by Aphotic Mote (Portal) specially for this Diabolical Conquest Records version makes the originally dense and suffocating Ritual Executions much more breathable but retains the rawness and underground vibe that bring The Dead to life. The modified artwork sketched by vocalist Mike Yee suitably captures the essence and horrific otherworldly feel of The Dead‘s music – only a band member could achieve that.
‘Ritual Executions’ is the first release of Diabolical Conquest Records.
Trippy video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CRwfyrBfbU
2) Preludium – Impending Hostility
Third full length album ‘Impending Hostility’ by Polish conquerors Preludium is a direct, fierce and deadly assault on the senses. Crushing imperial might of death metal is unleashed with added spitefulness of black metal, leading to veritable total devastation. Owing allegiance to no schools, Preludium are self-trained to destroy everything in their path without discrimination. And when they are done, everything will be wiped out save for perhaps the memory of their scathing historic onslaught.
‘Impending Hostility’ comes with a full colour 8-panel booklet with awe-inspiring post-World War illustrations elaborating on the theme of the bleak and horrifying cover artwork. All the CDs are made in USA in order to achieve Diabolical Conquest‘s aim of having world class quality for its releases.
Song video link 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGt92L6ZvVM
Song video link 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Vpvf5TudKE
Song video link 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBLQg6e_P9M
3) Drug Honkey – Death Dub
Drug Honkey‘s music defies conventional categorization. The most general yet accurate description would be something like psychedelic death/doom meets early Godflesh-esque industrialisms/electronics, but it still falls short of the full scope of their music. It is even dark, trippy, sludgy, filthy, noisy, atmospheric and more. Album title ‘Death Dub’ is a tag that probably best suits their music. Being the third and latest full length album of the band, Death Dub is undoubtedly Drug Honkey‘s most accomplished and extreme effort till date. Embarking on this harsh, futuristic and darkly hallucinogenic trip of theirs is bound to alter your perceptions of extreme metal music.
Diabolical Conquest has bought remaining copies of ‘Death Dub’ from the band and taken upon itself the task of promoting it and giving it worldwide distribution.
Video link 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yhhTyb4UeU
Video link 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CsTL-GxZb4
Video link 3 (live song recording):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jb_nNCpViQ
Super trippy video from their previous album, their most famous one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqPYh4cewvQ
^Despite the name, that is an anti-drugs song. Lyric of that one is ((((((don’t)))))))))
Order music from and check out megatons of extreme metal reviews, interviews and a lot more on Kunal Choksi’s website Diabolical Conquest.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Belus
There was never any doubt that Count Grishnackh’s glorious return would steal the thunder (and the lightning) from the lesser musicians of this world, but I decided to wait till now anyway, just to give everybody a fair shot. As we sat back in our chairs with one eye closed, wondering if the new music would live up to Burzum’s legacy or even be decent black metal, Varg Vikernes forced the stars and the planets into alignment with Kaimadalthas’ Nedstigning, and illuminated the universe with Keliohesten, making countless galaxies sway to the ambience he conjured with the intoxicating Belus’ Tilbakekomst, far surpassing everything he’d created before. Whether he makes another album or not doesn’t matter; “Belus” is proof that the man who made it is the greatest black metal musician of all time.
ANTHEM OF THE YEAR
Sau Rupiya
So we always knew that Ashwin-drummer-would-have-his-revenge-on-the-Bombay-rock-scene, but who’d have thought he’d do it this way? A song that begins with the chorus, has cheeky squeals and a glass breaking before The Riot Peddlers launch into a slamming attack on an already petrified world, “Sau Rupiya” is easily the catchiest, the most fun, and the most lovable song I’ve heard all year. And with the incorrigible Rishu Singh taking charge as manager, and frontman Arun S Ravi threatening to unleash an entire collection of such songs – yes, I was just getting to that – hide your moms. The band to watch out for in 2011.
FILM OF THE YEAR
Antardwand
Yes, there actually was one film worth watching in 2010. While the corporate superstars of the Hindi film industry were conning some of us into watching “socially relevant” films, there was a movie that came along without making announcements and hit me between the eyes. The story of a man being abducted and being forced to become a bridegroom in rural India – it’s not a slapstick comedy, stop laughing – with no song-and-dance, no big names, yet complete with good screenplay and terrific performances from everyone, “Antardwand” is one of the two or three movies that were worth checking out this year.
BEER OF THE YEAR
Fuller’s London Pride and Murphy’s Irish Stout
Of all the brew available at Living Liquidz, I’m picking two drinks as the best beers I’ve had this year, because they’re both excellent, and they’re both very different from each other, and I just can’t have enough of either. Be sure to pick up a crate of Fuller’s London Pride for a session or to have with something roasted, and Murphy’s Irish Stout when you feel like sitting back with a fucking cigar. These drinks are on the expensive side, but trust me when I say they’re absolutely worth it. And just try having a Kingfisher after downing a few of these.
WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Priyanka Chopra
She’s smoking hot, and I fucking love her.
Priyanka Chopra is an actress who keeps breaking out of her comfort zone every now and then, doesn’t act in inane comedies, has a great face and a terrific bod, doesn’t talk about her private life, is not a fake vegetarian, doesn’t look like Randhir Kapoor, can be described as sweet, sexy, hot, cute, pretty, gorgeous, seems totally unaffected by the box-office outcome of her films, and she has an ass like that.
————————————————————
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Urban Tadka
One of my all-time favourite restaurants – Urban Tadka is the place I run to when I’m not sure where to go. The rustic setting, the homely vibe, the amazing food, the perfect service – Urban Tadka is the restaurant that I’ve frequented the most over the last three years and not once have I been disappointed in the slightest. Far from it, Urban Tadka always manages to surprise me, and is the best place for meals with friends, lunch dates, dinners with the family, and hell, I even go there all by myself just because I love being there so much. I love it so much that I’m going to write a review for it next year after a few more visits to it. In the meantime, every other dhaba-like restaurant can pack up and take my leave, thank you!
MAN OF THE YEAR
Varg Vikernes
The prince returned after more than a decade in jail to claim what was rightfully his – the throne. Count Grishnackh has proved that the purest music can come only from the purest mind, with Belus being not only the most dazzling album from his discography, but also one of the most brilliant black metal albums of all time, not to mention the greatest comeback ever. The prince of black metal is now the king of black metal, enthroned for eternity, irrespective of whether he chooses to make another album or not. Paying no attention to all the pressure on him to make some music worthy of being placed next to his Burzum classics, Varg Vikernes quietly pushed forward the most epic comeback album ever. As for 2010 being the Year Of The Tiger – may the creator of the Chinese horoscope be trapped inside a burning church – 2010 is the Year Of The Wolf. JAI SHRI GRISHNACKH!!!
—————————————————————————
ALSO READ:
Mehta Kya Kehta? 