Inner Sanctum is a technical thrash/death metal outfit from Bangalore formed in early 2007. Chintan and Michael, the founder members having played with each other for several years decided to join forces and form a band that would best express their influences in music. Tejas, who previously played with Chintan for an old school thrash metal outfit `Premonition’, returned to Bangalore and was roped in as the second guitar player. In search of a drummer and vocalist, the trio auditioned several but zeroed in on Abhinav (ex Illusion) and Gaurav, thus completing the line-up. And now at the Yamaha Roxx competition conducted recently, Inner Sanctum has been chosen as the best band and will represent Bangalore. They will be  playing at the finals to be held in New Delhi on Saturday.

The line-up includes Gaurav Basu (vocals), Chintan Chinnappa (guitars), Tejas Jayaraman (guitars), Abhishek Michael (bass), Abhinav Yogesh (drums).

Melodic leads and phrasing, coupled with technical riffs and aggressive drumming are the characteristics of the band’s music and can be  attributed to the band members’ varied influences and tastes in music. The band has been influenced by Atheist, Martyr, Death, Arch Enemy, Opeth, Coroner, Annihilator, Testament, Nevermore, Pain of salvation, Symphony X, Theory in Practice, Non-Human Level, Slayer, Dark Tranquility, Behold the Arctopus, Psycroptic, Bloodbath. Their accolades include winning the Levis Guruskool ‘Band of the Year’. They were placed first at various competitions including the Yamaha Roxx  ‘Asian Beat’ Regional Finals, at Jus Celebre 07 at ULC, Bangalore, and at `War of the Bands’.  They also got the best drummer award, featured in Freedom Jam, 2007 at Palace Grounds, performed at Kingfisher October Fest 2007 at Palace Grounds, Sunday Jam in Gurunanak Bhavan and at Legends of Rock, Koramangala. Now, this is one band you can lend your ears to.