Blot

Insane Prophecy-Apogee of An Inquisition

2012-02-11T08:01:00.000-08:00

If there’s one thing about Insane Prophecy that amazes us-it most definitely has to be their true to the roots underground nature. Theyare the type of band that’s just about non-existent- No Internet Spamming, Nofancy Facebook updates and just the bare amount of press coverage. (Just incase you’ve lived in a cave all your life, you probably CAN google them up andcheck out their music, though).

It is this non-mainstream, ‘kvlt’ underground streak thatmanages to run through each one of their latest compositions packed in theirdebut extended play – Apogee of an Inquisition. Relentlessly original andthrough and through unique- AOAI is a powerhouse that’s most definitely morethan worth the hole in your pocket. Immaculate tunes and an extremely intensevision- AOAI is one of those BM albums that will mark 2012’s history in the pagesof the Indian independent history. Hook- driven choruses, Decent production anda concept that’s bound to leave you inspired- Insane Prophecy has establishedtheir spot as one of India’s most promising extreme metal.

One of the more definitive releases of the year so far- Getthis one NOW!

Mimanxa

2012-02-11T07:56:00.000-08:00

Guwahati based Mimanxatake the Headshaking stroke of Death Metal and mash it with majestic technicaland lyrical elements to craft an all-encompassing sound that’s bothstate-of-the-art and unique. Theirconflagration is definitely capable of bringing the whirlwind hair whipping.Plus, they have compelling stories to tell. “Thematically, we stand in a sunsetzone between evil and anguish. It’s all pretty vile-most of it stuff parentswouldn’t want their children to be listening to” adds manager Siddhant Das. It’shard to fit in all of the possible superlatives for an act as awe-inspiring asthis.

Arihant

2012-02-11T07:54:00.000-08:00

Arihant’s self-inflicted state of solitude in angst-riddenlyricism and old-school technicality has helped them in emerging as one of themost powerful and potent Death Metal bands in the circuit. However, for manyacts like the above mentioned- whether or not they like to admit it- getting afoot in the music industry and schmoozing with the movers and shakers is anunderlying part of the big plan. “The form of music we play might not appeal toa lot of people which is why we refer to it as an underground movement. Butlet’s look at this from a musician’s perspective- This is my art, my potential-it’s but natural that I want to make it big and try and put bread and butter onthe table doing this.” Suggests frontman Rituraj Boruah

Samiran Sonowal

2012-02-11T07:52:00.000-08:00

An Aural substratum of litanies that talk about teenage ireand despair, the sound of a soul plagued by its very being- Surat based Samiran Sonowal’s vast ever-shifting demesnes as a solo artist are prodigiouslyalternative in nature. His restlessness and willingness to incorporate allmanner of modern rock elements, into its precise all-pervading musicianship isa measure of the candid, prominently curious sentiment that lies at its stiffeningcore. “My music deals with facing all possible outlooks in life. It’s sort of aplea to turn inwards and really ascertain who you are and all your potentials-worthy and wicked. It’s about embracing the realities of your personality thatyou normally try to fight.” Mentions Sonowal.

The K- Reactives

2012-02-11T07:49:00.000-08:00

Rock bands glamorising girls and love stories are nothingnew. Neither is the spectre of a promiscuous young boy claiming to be adaptingto the ways of the world. They are, however, seemingly, less common than theyused to be.These Tezpur boys lash out abiker-friendly sound that’s all about colossal riffs, sweet-sixteen vocals,blazing keyboard passages and a Faith-esque cool. Single “Justifying ‘cause we’re boys” is abeautifully assembled space in itself, transforming the world’s most clichédlyricism into expansive blues-refurbishment and glorious light-beam imprints ofguitar. Frontman Rahul Rajkhowa admits it’s not for everyone, but that hedoesn’t care nonetheless: “This is for Blues and rock n’ roll fanatics, thepeople who would whine if they weren’t aurally challenged by what they heard.”

Farrago

2012-02-11T07:46:00.000-08:00

Jorhat based thrash metal actFarrago have messed with conventions and married the heaviest to the hookiest.And the world it seems, is finally warming up to their eccentric ways. It’salmost inspirational, if not stirring, how they manifest such sway andambitiousness through the framework of their demos, even as the slapdashproduction tries to strip it down of its essence. With a magniloquent stageact, the Jorhat bunch have been building quite the standing for their liveperformances, having impacted arenas around the city and beyond. Although theirsongwriting kowtows to a mass of clichés, Farrago, by the end of it all soundsgallant and bold.

Chamber

2012-02-10T21:13:00.000-08:00

The Prog revolution continuesapace and is clearly in firm health as this young bunch from Guwahatiprove.Some great angular heaviness forall those metal-heads who like a jolly good bludgeoning – Chamber are one ofthose bands that can sound both gentle as a dove and loony as a wildebeest.Their music is a perfect slab of Progressive and Alternative Rock withbattering ram Metal elements, sing-along choruses and groove tricknology. Whatappeal to me most are the themes civilization and aura contrasted perfectly bythe bleeps and clicks of a storytelling songwriter. And woven through all ofthis is a positive message for a new generation of prog fans.

Blind

2012-02-10T21:06:00.000-08:00

“Metal is in a commercial deadline and suffering from atechnicality hangover, if you get what I mean. Everybody wants to play crazytime signatures, sound heavier-invent the wheel from some angle- WE DON’T. Webelieve in sticking to our roots- and in doing our best to glorify it.” SaysDrummer of Delhi based Thrash Metal act Blind. Despite the conventionalwork-ethic, Blind’s powerful and distinct impact on the North-eastern-metalcircuit is more than just prominent. These guys bring the best of Old SchoolSpeed and Thrash to the table with sprinklings of Grunge readdressing theperfect equilibrium between experimentation and fundamentalism. These guys aredefinitely leading the charge for a new generation.

Day 69

2012-02-10T21:04:00.000-08:00

I’ve often myself at a cursory glance that Tech-Death, as a genreis steadily going stale. But then, there will always be enough innovators tospring from the underground to mainstream awareness. These Guwahati nOObz showthat you can create new life by proving you can you can successfully mixelements and create a fresh palatable sound. Think Pig Squeals, Blast Beats, Heftygrooves and Sharp hard hitting riffs thrown at your face at the speed of light.These guys are the soundtrack to a Rob Zombie movie.

Fatal Malice

2012-02-10T21:01:00.000-08:00

Fatal Malice brings a languid, ominous vibe to the partywithout ever shrinking their chokehold. Having brought a innovative sound andLOG-ish level of technicality to the table with their debut release‘Contrition’, the Guwahati based four piece work out a mix that isn’t a millionmiles from most of the stuff that came out from the 90’s Metalcore scene.Flawless songwriting, Rabid grooves and ear-splitting breakdowns- these guys dealin no nonsense groove- punches to the face. It’s raining breakdowns. Lap it up,Bitches! Quality brutality- in yer face!

Cheisrah

2012-02-10T20:59:00.000-08:00

Bangalore based Experimentalmetal act Cheisrah sound like Trivium raised on Pantera instead ofSepultura. With a sound that can standblow for blow with most Prog/ Groove bands from the scene today- this fivepiece outfit succeeds in bringing a more muscular take on 90’s Metalcore /Groove, yet still with the same bounce-in an interesting stylistic technique- and in one of the most unique ways toadopt it into this sub-genre. A neon explosion of flamboyant time signatures,heartfelt grooves and bright-brown heaviness- Cheisrah seem like stars inmaking with a monster of a debut extended play coming. Yes, we’ve heard itbefore you!

Mayur Hazarika

2012-02-10T20:56:00.000-08:00

More than just an alternative rock revival act for your teenhormones, Mayur Hazarika sounds like Rajeev T’s dangerous nephew from theZero-era: a perfect combination of strutting alternative rock fretwork and limesaturated cool. With a cold bloodedsound that can stand blow for blow with both Megadeth and Bon Jovi, the Delhibased singer/songwriter has teetered on the brink of greatness ever since his 2010 demo ‘Withoutyou’ came crashing into the Online Stratosphere. Having spent the last fewyears building a reputation for being one of the strongest live performers inthe scene, Mayur’s biggest challenge remains in creating a compiled releasethat carries the primal rage of his live acts.

Curves

2012-02-10T20:53:00.000-08:00

One of the many distinct bands in the Indian Prog circuittoday, Guwahati based Ambient/ Experimental Metal act ‘Curves’ seem like thesort of band that Skellington would rage to on his cd player when Sally hasbeen bit of a menace. A neon explosion of snazzy time signatures, thoroughly ambientverses and brown-hot heaviness- Curves succeed in packing a bit more punch andattitude than their peers, sounding somewhat like a snot-nosed Silver Tearsplaying at a more nu-age prog-rock tempo. Their latest single ‘Divided We Fall’is a mission statement of unwavering commitment to taking metal into thefuture. The vocals could have used a little more punch though. ‘Unlike others, wenever wanted to genre-hop or anything- we just wanted to create a sound thatwas our own” Mission accomplished, we say.

Grief Card

2012-02-10T20:49:00.000-08:00

Bangalore based Grief Card ice a beautifully ramshackle 90’sAlt-rock cake topped with some nu-age cream. One of the most refreshing outfits to have emerged from the Bangalorescene—Grief Card has, for long, remained under the radar unaided by any form ofhype. They bring a sluggish and sinistervibe to the Indian Alt-rock party without ever lessening their chokehold- evenas they put a futuristic guitar sound and a 90’s modern rock feel to the table.This is the kind of music that can keep you wishing for more- even aftermultiple listens. Here’s wishing them the very best in the endeavors.

Exalt

2012-02-10T20:46:00.000-08:00

Halflong Hardcorers who bring some progressive/technicalmetal flourishes to bruising breakdowns Exalt inject an emotive edge to theteeth-shattering sound of Hardcore -one that the genre’s been bereft of- forlong. With metal bands increasinglylooking to progressive sonics to bolster their sound- this five piece act mightsoon enough find themselves in a winning position. However, looking at itsubjectively- I think it does get a bit much. Their music could definitely usesome more cohesion. More than anything, they really need to work a lot on thearrangement bit. But here’s an interesting prospect for Indian metalnonetheless.

Judas Ancestry

2012-02-10T20:43:00.000-08:00

Combining the gore- drenched savagery of Death Metal withgut-kicking dollops of Symphonic Black Metal,Judas Ancestry like to deal intotal no-nonsense hammer-blows to the mind. Should you pledge allegiance to thesound of Symphonic Black Metal perfected by the likes of Dimmu Borgir- this is oneensemble that you most definitely need to listen to and also witness live - Especiallyif you’re looking for a modern twist on a somewhat classic outline. More thanjust your odd opportunity to shout along and bounce like a loon in the pit.

Virgin Creep

2012-02-10T09:15:00.000-08:00

Guwahati based Alt-rockers Virgin Creep combine hulky Alt-metalriffs with gruff cigarette worn vocals, hook-laden grooves and aRascall-flatt-esque cool. With a penchant for solid Groove-laced choruses andpop-infected hooks, the five piece have spent the past one year establishingthemselves as one of the region’s most exciting and divisive live acts. Whiletheir recently released demos may see their songwriting credentials scrutinizedby the genre’s old guard, the band remain hopeful that music enthusiasts farand wide will let them carry the veil as part of the new generation. The 90’s are back! “For us- When we get music and words together, that can bea very powerful thing in itself. The Genres and the typecasting can come inlater” says frontman Anurag.

Dead Calm Chaos

2012-02-10T09:09:00.000-08:00

Modern Death Metal mixed with a furious dose of 90’s metalsensibilities- Dead Calm Chaos are an extremely diverse sounding melo-death actdriven primarily by the enormous dollops of fury instilled in the forthrightframework of their brilliantly written originals. A raw, rabid assault ofbreakdowns, dense guitar wankery and leviathan tunes- the Shillong based fivepiece are one of those bands that hammer riff after riff in each song, notstopping until they break your typical-doggedness and stomp your mind. Veryrarely have I come across a band that succeeds in making my head nod despite splodgesof slapdash production barring its compositional intensities. There is adynamic here that’s not evident in many other bands in the independent scenetoday. Here’s wishing them the best in their endeavors.

Little Geeks and the Freaks

2012-02-10T09:03:00.000-08:00

Haflongbased Little Geeks and the Freaks are a dynamic and intriguing five piece whohave all the elements to drum up a lot of attention and the fact that they’restill so fresh and young is more than just promising. They are without theshadow of a doubt- one of the next stand-out bands of this year with an energyand magnetism- that’s more than just tantalizing. Debut single ‘Crystal Elapse’featuring Rainjong Lepcha (of Dark Horizon fame) on vocals is a solidmanifestation of a smooth soaring melody packed with a solid splotch of heavygroove laden rhythm tides and a rabid drum attack. At a time when a sizeablemajority of Independent bands from the region seem rehashed and worn out- thisyoung bunch takes its stand as a concrete sounding, fresh and original act- onethat’s soon going to get a lot of heads turning.

Ninaad

2012-02-10T07:13:00.000-08:00

Unlikemost of their contemporaries, Ninaad possess a spirit that sticks with you longafter that first listen. It’s not just about the soulful nature of their music;they have a certain charisma that draws listeners in, an eminence that isconsidered quite rare in a lot of today’s music. For a band so young andinexperienced, the Dibrugarh-based five piece seem to be succeeding inimpressing people all over the North-eastern fraternity, fabricating a soundthat is clearly worth the time and attention. The outfit evoke some seriousnostalgia, taking things back to the late 90s with a wide array of influencesranging from Nu-age Alternative Rock, Psychedelia, Prog and pop. Their sound isreminiscent of bands like Them Clones, Levitikus and Early day Goddess Gagged highlightingtheir evident versatility and promise. Debut Singles, ‘Perception’ and ‘Angelof Agony’ are fantastic nods to their influences, featuring hazy guitars, solidbasslines and intensely dreamy vocals. Its nu-age modern rock at its bestgarnished with a lot of other influences: frantic yet earnest and blithe.

Temjen Jamir

2012-02-10T07:09:00.000-08:00

Temjen Jamir’sstrength as a composer is well established in the numerous grippingmasterpieces which he’s been rolling out recently, online. His songs shiverwith an arresting classic rock back-beat, even as an intense melancholy glidesover his elusive yet twangy guitar riffs. As a guitar-player, he is the kind thatsucceeds in cutting above the noise, in trying to draw the line between a lotof instrumentation and minimalistic arrangement and most importantly inemphasizing his tricks and chops, most audibly above everything else. From whatit seems, He is already setting new benchmarks for himself and it’s great tosee that the smugness hasn’t set in just yet. It is music like this that could very wellchange the way independent music is looked at, in the region.

Still Status

2012-02-10T07:06:00.000-08:00

Shillong basedStill Status take the teeth-chattering punch of hardcore and mix it withMelodic Deathcore and Christian Metal elements to create a sound that’s bothinnovative and bright, and at the same time- somewhat old-school. And it is this- the defiance of genre-ification(of sorts)- that, for me, makes a band truly mature and forward-thinking in itsown right. Formed in 2006, in the wakeof the Metalcore scene in Shillong- when mere wankery was the name of the game-Still Status arrived with verses that were heavier, choruses more melodic andcontent that was a lot more intense. Far from reaching their peak, they arestill on the rise- evolving in terms of both establishment and sound, pavingthe way for a new generation of bands from the region. ,"My soul finds rest in God alone; mysalvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is myfortress, I will never be shaken. (Psalm 62:1-2).- The Verse advocates unshakenbelief in God hence the name Still Status.” Suggests their reverbnation profile.

X-Five

2012-02-10T06:41:00.001-08:00

Anybody whothinks the expression “it’s all been done before” carries tangible mass in thescene today clearly has yet to encounter X-Five. Bright, heavy, moving, enigmatic,punk-rock fittingly crashing with flourishes of old-school Alternative, Pop andSynth, this Guwahati bunch carries a genre-defying and boundary demolishingocean of sound that is profoundly magnified by the concrete production and the marvelouslywritten compositions. Their latestsingles ‘We are so high tonight’ and ‘Let me in’ are testament to the band’spersonal chemistry and unique collaborative perspective. The bizarrely creative and inspired vocalsand guitar work playing against the counterintuitive and prodigiously rhythmicbackbeat of drummer Bittu Deka and bassist Plaban Dutta enhance what is otherwisea typical arrangement, into an astonishing mix. This is one of those incendiaryprospects that needs, just a little something, to turn into an inferno.

Sandrembee- Miscalculation and The Cosmic catastrophe

2012-02-10T06:04:00.000-08:00

Sandrembeepresent themselves as a dramatic cross-pollination of various genres on theessence of their album ‘Miscalculation and the cosmic catastrophe’. The musichere is nothing brilliant- just inspired. But clearly, these guys aren’t here to impress at all- Sandrembee holdon to their ideologies unlike any other singular outfit from the region todayand that in itself is one thing that makes them stand out. For a change, this is one album that you’llcherish solely for its spirit- mainly because the production sinks every aspectof the otherwise decently written album. Its takes quite a few listens for theshapes of the songs to emerge in their individuality. But what is indisputablehere is the Imphal based band’s mastery of building catchy, mind warping tunesand the exploitation of its scope. Definitely one of the standout releases ofthe year.

Sifar- Self Titled

2012-02-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Sifar’sself-titled extended play is, quite simply put, composition-wise minimalisticand somewhat well produced. However, that in no way means that this album is,in any given way, a run-of-the-mill collection of tunes- in its entirety. Theyhave a little something most bands from the Indian Hindi-rock circuit lack-Promise. Wonderfully arranged songwriting, perfectly layered melodies andbright and soothing instrumentation make this three track Extended Play anenjoyable listen from start to finish. What I don’t like about the Ep is howmost of the music here, is barred by a sense of ennui. Moreover, Sifar succeedsin blissfully nestling themselves into the warmth of their producer’s wizardry-and that way, it almost feels as though they seem embattled with getting theirlive allure across on record-not that they really succeed in it. In a nutshell,given a choice-Sifar is a band you should witness live, instead of listening totheir recorded material- because they’d never disappoint given that platform.

Filharmonix- Hot and High

2012-02-10T05:54:00.000-08:00

Jorhat based Filharmonix fashion a hauntinglybright and euphoric dedication to 80’s heavy metal in their debut album- Hotand High. Though it’s not really distinctive or characteristic to the hilt- theeight track independent release is more or less, a decent manifestation of somehard-hitting grooves and large blobs of headshaking guitar wankery, drenched insome serenely executed vocal craft – all of it collectively swirling in a bevyof uplifting choruses. The production however tends to spoil the mix, once in awhile, especially the guitar tones that, for me, ruin the spirit of thecompositions- in general. On the bright side, despite the fact that Hot and High is Filharmonix‘s debutattempt at a full length- the band seems to showcase very few teething troubleswith their sound- the songwriting is decent , compositions perfect and thearrangements solidly executed. It is, nonetheless, an album that could well have been written adecade ago.

Noiseware- Wake up and Soar-Ep

2012-02-10T05:48:00.000-08:00

Noiseware’sdebut extended play is brilliant, and unlike most of the Progressive/Experimental releases in recent times- not bereft of inventive manifestationand enchanting spirit. From the slamming opener ‘23’ to the mesmerizingrendition of Michael Jackson’s ‘Smooth Criminal’, Wake Up and Soar is a recordthat’s crammed with energetic music and zero insipidness. And quite fittingly,just as the launch gig for the album at the prestigious Rollingstone MetalAwards very proficiently demonstrated, most of the tunes on this album make forconcrete performance- numbers when played on stage. Unlike most of theircontemporaries, they aren’t at all about the kookiness. They’re about big riffsand great big dollops of prog mashed with a lot of heart. Sure, they won’t savelives- but the fact that they’ve dared to think outside the box deserves someattention. Tranquil, undeniably burly and uplifting throughout- this one’s aninventive piece that won’t fail to disappoint.

David Maxim Micic- Bilo Ep

2012-02-10T05:43:00.000-08:00

David Maxim Micic’s debut extended play is an earnestattempt at ambient and fusionist progressive metal held together strappingly byMimic’s rich syrupy guitar playing and his manifestation of warm layers ofabysmal grooves and ambient timbre. At his best- he largely occupies a lot of terrainsstalked out by many of his predecessors from the Djent/ Progressive scene.However, the fact that it’s not an unfamiliar sound does not, in any given way,retract the spirit of the Ep or for that matter, the tunes-in particular-fromsounding fresh and unrehashed. Thecolossal, gorgeously wrought opening track is the centerpiece of this album-its startling melodies and its crisp production further solidifying thecomposition and the instrumental dexterity, at display. To me, Bilo is a far-reachingartistic statement that establishes and cements David Maxim Micic’s positionamongst the finest representatives of the new wave of progressive metal in theInternational arena today.

Artha- Huwaroni

2011-06-02T16:04:00.000-07:00

Delhi based Artha are great at amalgamatingand in turn, leaving a lasting impression due to their distinct sound. Thealt-pop group recently released their debut Album ‘Huwaroni’ last year and itcertainly is the perfect introduction to the unique nature of their music.Right from the start of the eight track album, it’s clear that the five pieceare a tight outfit. ‘Huwaroni’ bounces along quite happily as the repetitivebeat and instrumentation give the track an upbeat feel, perhaps slightly moreso due to its simplicity. ‘Janane Tumi’ is definitely an impressive song,partly thanks to Rahul Buragohain’s vocal workand Pranjal and Fredi’s guitar craft. Rahul’s and Shivaji’s vocal combinationis effective, especially since their vocals seem to match so wonderfully.However, there are times when a listener will be left wishing for more experimentation.Let’s hope there’s a better follow-up in the making.

Final Surrender- St. Sinner

2011-06-02T15:35:00.000-07:00

Final Surrender are asurprising bunch. Their latest E.p ‘St. Sinner’ is a quirky piece of Hardcoreperfection with sprinklings of clean vocals and a good dose of catchy hooks.While the EP is a bit too short, the net result is something that’s very mature,and extremely conscious. Opener Fortressof Merimna (Feat Judah Sandhy)’ is a strong start, a stoutlystructured and well-written monster of a song. Personally though, I think theproduction could’ve given it a heavier edge. Whilst the E.p may nottravel too far from their core roots, it does offer moments of deviation alongthe way. ‘Awkward Silence’ stands out as a softer, slower track with someIndian Classical drive to it- although blatant only in the intro. Penultimatetrack ‘Sacred Vow’ is clearly single material and falls a little by thewayside. However, It is recommended that you not base your judgment on thesingle – it’s the album that possesses the intoxicating assault.

Them Clones- Love.Hate.Heroes

2011-06-02T15:31:00.000-07:00

Delhi based five-piece ThemClones certainly don’t show any nuance on this release. But then, nuanceis not something to be admired when you’re making highly equipped Alt-rockthat’s designed to stimulate auditory hemorrhage. Love.Hate.Heroes openswith a powerful ambience followed by a short keyboard maneuver which thencontinues to turn up the volume. ‘My life’, with its chant-like vocalsand heavy 90’s feel speeds along like a runaway train, giving a threateningedge to the album. ‘The Bomb Song’ has a strong Modern Rock feel, butsomehow seems less sophisticated, a rocker; and then in ‘Spunk’ and ‘Sindrome’we return to the dark Alternative roots. It’s only with closing track‘Zephyretta’ that Them Clones show the same level of originality that they didin the opener. This is the rawest song on the album, and perfectly showstheir ability to adopt a rougher style with regards song-writing. Breezybass-lines and vocals fight to make themselves heard over the dazzling rhythmsection. The mood of this album is well maintained throughout – it’ssomehow both airy and cavernous; if Them Clones can polish all of their tracksto the same moniker then they should have a winning formula.

Swarathma- Swarathma

2011-06-02T15:20:00.001-07:00

Bangalore’s Swarathma pack quitea punch with this, their debut album, which offers eight tracks that include awhole bunch of influences, but generally fall under the Folk banner. Withdashing rhythms and some sharp guitars, the band ricochet the cream of the cropof Indian Folk/pop bands who have swaggered their stuff over the years, fromMrigya to The Raghu Dixit project. Meanwhile, there’s a quality to Swarathma’ssound that’s reminiscent of Indian Ocean’s early years. Opener ‘Jaana Kahanhain mujhe’ is straight forward, setting the scene nicely with blitzingguitars, but is perhaps a little forgettable. Next comes ‘Pyaar ke Rang’ wherethe band’s mix of genres is revealed. One moment vocalist Vasu Dixit iscrooning soulfully like a remnant from the golden age of Hindustani Folk , andthen suddenly everything picks up again, and Dixit is found going back to hispop avatar. So does it work? It certainly offers some motivating tunes whichhelp keep Swarathma sounding bright for most parts of the album.

Menwhopause- Easy

2011-06-02T15:10:00.000-07:00

Delhi based Alt rockersMenwhopause are not afraid to make it apparent who their influences are. But that is not at all a problem, since their management of these influences isperfect. They are equally informed by 90’s rock n’ roll and more recentalternative rock, and the combination proves to be a winner. Opener‘Time’ starts with a guitar line that evokes a Post-rock feel, but then settlesinto a Led zep-like groove, which comes through even more strongly on ‘Can’t webe dreaming’. Meanwhile, the third track, ‘Floating’ has a more laid back andstoned vibe. While the musicianship is intelligent, the vocals areperhaps a little too unruffled for songs like these – a lot of the times, onefeels like there is no muscle in the singing. They are better suited tothe peppier ‘Sky is falling down’, where a clean guitar-line underpins a rabiddrum groove. The record halts with title track, ‘Easy’ which has a verycontemporary feel to it. But that doesn’t add much to this fourteen trackEMI release; Menwhopause are evidently at their best when they’re channeling Classicand Alt rock tunes to create their otherwise trademark sound.

Abiogenesis- Slice of Heaven

2011-06-02T15:06:00.000-07:00

‘Slice of Heaven’ has nearly allthe basics of a great fusion rock album; Arenla’s voice is accomplished,excellent from delicate to calm to carefree. Like a much loved but rarely seendistant cousin. Track 1 ‘Gazing at the moon’ is a perfect choice for an opener,as it sums up the album concisely – it’s swift, outlying, and lofty, threadedthrough with a tinge of murk. It washes over the listener like a jaded tidalsmash in the waves off an island of taupe. This sound and pace permeates thealbum and unfortunately leaves every track somewhat indistinguishable from eachother. And it’s a shame that Arenla’s voice and her band’s travail engageperfectly, while the production destroys this obvious chemistry by being dulland somewhat disappointing. This is however, in bits and pieces- arollercoaster of an album too, packed to the margins with twists and turns-lyrically. Abiogenesis are terrific storytellers, and this third offering fromthe Nagaland based experimental act meets the listener’s ultimate test- to wantto switch to the next song, to want to know what happens next.