JOIN USMetalheads unite! The second edition of the 'Durance of Hate Tour' of Proximity Productions is underway and it features some emerging yet impressive metal outfits, Mumbai-based death metal band 'Darkrypt' being one of them.
Recently in the city to perform at blueFrog, guitarist Mihir Gaikwad and lead guitarist and vocalist Rishabh Ravi took time off to talk to Rajitha Menon about their journey in a genre that is as extreme as the reactions it evokes.
The origins of the band...
Mihir: The band was formed by Amey Bhole and Nachiket Bhave in around 2012. I started chipping in for some live gigs in 2013 when Nachiket was busy. That gave me a chance to know more about the kind of music they played. Finally, we decided to bring out an album in 2015. It involved some good writing, collaborations with some big names and high production value. I joined in as a full time member for the work on the album.
The band's USP?
Mihir: We are like a machine - everyone in the band has a part and we try to make sure that everyone fits in properly. We try to play music that is different but also old-school. There is a certain level of complexity in our riffs. All of us have different styles of playing and influences and we try to pitch in everything.
Any change in your audience over the years?
Mihir: Initially, we used to play more at college festivals. It was a younger audience which was not used to the kind of music that we played. But then, times changed and we also improved as a band. When we announced the album, people started taking us a bit more seriously. We moved on from being a college band to a more professional outfit.
How is metal doing in India- dying, surviving or thriving?
Mihir: It is difficult to judge the metal scene in India. We play something that is not easily accepted by the mainstream audience. To understand metal music, people need to have a certain level of knowledge in music. You can write really good intrinsic pieces but if the audience doesn't understand, it's of no value. I don't think the scene is gonna die out though. There will always be a bunch of loyalists who will keep this alive.
What is the biggest threat to this genre of music?
Rishabh: Indians are concentrated on Bollywood and commercial music and they are not ready to give metal a try.
You played in Bengaluru recently. Thoughts about the crowd...
Rishabh: It was an amazing experience. The crowd was less but the people there were very energetic. Proximity Productions did a great job with the entire tour.
A common misconception about metal music...
Rishabh: Everybody thinks it is all about screaming and noise. But there are many types of metal. There is a metal for everyone. People just need to open up.
Craziest fan reaction...
Rishabh: In a metal gig, there are certain beats which drive the crowd crazy. People run around in circles, push each other around and have a lot of fun. Sometimes, it becomes insane. There have been gigs when people have been pushed on to the stage, crashed into my amplifier and mic stand, caused my guitars to unplug and so on.
Dream venue..
Rishabh: Wacken Open Air in Germany. That is the holiest place for any metalhead. Playing there would be a dream come true. Even if I die after that, I would die happy.