November 20, 2008
September 16, 2008
ANTIM GRAHAN
with almost an apocalyptical name, Black Metallers Antim Grahan has returned once again to scorch the underground scene of Nepal. Formed in the early 2004, Black Metallers Antim Grahan rise from Kathmandu. The band took a hiatus for about 2 and half years when the front man of the band went abroad for his further studies, but as now he has returned, they are back in business with a few line up changes. Fronted by the vocalist Parash, Antim Grahan is Pankaj on guitars, Sunny on bass, Niraj on keys and Sabin on drums. The band has undergone a few line up changes as few of their members left the band due to their personal reasons. The band took out an EP titled ‘Forever Winter’ which was a joint production of KTMROCKS RECORDS, Mingmar Dolma Lama and Antim Grahan. Antim Grahan is the first band to have a record deal in the history of Nepali metal scene. They got the label of KTMROCKS RECORDS which happened to be the first record company in Nepal for the local underground metal scene. The EP, ‘Forever Winter’ got an overwhelming response from the metal fans which created an immense popularity of the band in the underground metal community around the country. Songs like ‘Infected’ and the title song itself ‘Forever Winter’ was a massive success.
The band says that their music is representation of pain, suffering and sinister realms of dark fantasy worlds. About their music, the band says “We really don’t want to give away any messages to our listeners whatsoever coz the whole music is represented in a very story like way, more of like fairy tales with a very dark and painful ambience and bitter endings. So all we want is that the people enjoy our music and have totally fuckin’ awesome time while listening.”
After a very good response from the fans from underground community for their debut EP, “Forever Winter”, they came out with their second album titled “Tales From The Darkened Woods”. This album by the band had come in a very short time off its release of their first EP, but their 2nd album was much improved technically and musically. ‘Tales from the Darkened Woods’ is much more bigger, better and heavier then their first effort.
Carrying on to the melodic level that the band has been going on, they experimented with traditional ‘Flute’ on their 2nd album. This is the first time in Nepal that any underground metal band has introduced these kinds of experiments. The new album contains a very well received cover version of ‘Hallowed Be Thy Name’ originally by Iron Maiden. Again, this album was out on KTMROCKS RECORDS.
Which started as a melodic black metal approach, now the band is craving towards a bit more brutal genre of the music that they play after their reunion after a long pause. With already one EP and a full length debut album to their name, having not only Nepal but worldwide appreciation of both their effort in the countries such as Estonia, Slovakia, UK, USA, India, Australia etc, they are coming out very soon with their third outing which promises to be a one to be awaited for. After a long hiatus and with a few line up changes, Antim Grahan looks better then ever. And by the looks of things the supremacy of black metal has certainly begun.
Parash – vocals
Pankaj – guitars
Niraj – keys
Sabin – drums
Sunny – bass
July 05, 2008
July 04, 2008
MONKEY TEMPLE
It wasn't until we changed our name to Monkey Temple, that we gained recognition in the local music scene (I guess Swayambunath did prove lucky for us).
Playing mostly covers of Pearl Jam, Creed, Iron Maiden, Ugly Kid Joe, Fuel and often playing "Born to be Wild," the band has performed in many gigs including Everest on the Rock, K.A.T.H Unplugged, Slam City Jam, Eletric Circus, Metal day out, 25th anniversary of Nanglo café, Rockers on Parade, Spread love not virus concert (organized by FPAN). On several occasions the band has also performed some of their own numbers from their upcoming debut album "Black Bee And The Flower."
Band History:
The history of the formation of the band goes back to their school days. They had small jam up sessions in school between classes where Subodh and Sanjay would strum in the hollow guitar and the other mates swayed and sang to the familiar tunes. But they still hadn't found the vocals that they wanted until they discovered that the new boy in school Sareen had some talent and the band thought that he should be the one to handle the mic for their band. With Sareen taking up the mic and rhythm, Subodh playing the leads and riffs, Sanjay on bass and Devashish on drums the band "Bliss" came into being. They performed in school functions and other events. Later Sanjay grew a liking for the six strings, but with this came a shortage of a bassist in the band. They tried for a while to find a replacement bassist, performing with Nischal first and then with Prajjwal, until most recently settling for Avaya (also the bassist of Albatross). With the addition of Gaurav on the keyboard, the lineup for Monkey Temple, for the time being, was Sareen (vocals), Subodh (lead guitar), Sanjay (rhythm guitar), Devashish (drums), Gaurav (keyboard) and Avaya (bass). At the time, the band recorded a single "Stoned @ 920" which appeared on the Musik Isles Compilation Album. Also on several occasions the band preformed with Sirish (the ex-Albatross vocalist). If they had trouble finding the right bassist then they were up for another challenge as Sanjay (guitarist) decided to quit the band due to some personal reasons. But shortly, Monkey Temple was accompanied by Prashanta (guitarist of the band Mokshya). Prashant had been jamming up with the band for quite sometime and as Mokshya was splitting up, who else better to fit the description of someone to handle the six string for the band. With Prashant came a new music taste in the band as he is genuinely influenced by the progressive and neo-classical guitarist such as Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Becker, Conrad Simon and so on. But despite the difference in the taste of music of the new guitarist, the band decided to make the most of it by successfully combining the virtuoso rock and the alternative rock and getting on to the jam session to their best. "The band is a team and to get the best out of that team, cooperation and mutual understanding within them is a must," adds Prashanta. Hence the present line up of the band is Sareen (vocals), Subodh (guitar), Prashanta (guitar), Devashish (drums), Gaurav (keyboard) and Avaya (bass)
Music is about our attitude and perspective towards every little aspect of our lives and about self satisfaction," adds Sareen representing purpose of the band, "and with the addition of Prashanta on the guitars, we are able to perform any kind of song on stage. With his speed and accuracy, techniques and apertures, the band has been able to reach new heights." The band indicates their influence as Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilot, Alice in Chains, Candlebox, Nixons, Iron Maiden, Led Zepplin, Ugly Kid Joe, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Silverchair, Goo Goo Dolls, Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy and so on.
Playing mostly covers of Pearl Jam, Creed, Iron Maiden, Ugly Kid Joe, Fuel and often playing "Born to be Wild," the band has performed in many gigs including Everest on the Rock, K.A.T.H Unplugged, Slam City Jam, Eletric Circus, Metal day out, 25th anniversary of Nanglo café, Rockers on Parade, Spread love not virus concert (organized by FPAN). On several occasions the band has also performed some of their own numbers from their upcoming debut album "Black Bee And The Flower."
Band History:
The history of the formation of the band goes back to their school days. They had small jam up sessions in school between classes where Subodh and Sanjay would strum in the hollow guitar and the other mates swayed and sang to the familiar tunes. But they still hadn't found the vocals that they wanted until they discovered that the new boy in school Sareen had some talent and the band thought that he should be the one to handle the mic for their band. With Sareen taking up the mic and rhythm, Subodh playing the leads and riffs, Sanjay on bass and Devashish on drums the band "Bliss" came into being. They performed in school functions and other events. Later Sanjay grew a liking for the six strings, but with this came a shortage of a bassist in the band. They tried for a while to find a replacement bassist, performing with Nischal first and then with Prajjwal, until most recently settling for Avaya (also the bassist of Albatross). With the addition of Gaurav on the keyboard, the lineup for Monkey Temple, for the time being, was Sareen (vocals), Subodh (lead guitar), Sanjay (rhythm guitar), Devashish (drums), Gaurav (keyboard) and Avaya (bass). At the time, the band recorded a single "Stoned @ 920" which appeared on the Musik Isles Compilation Album. Also on several occasions the band preformed with Sirish (the ex-Albatross vocalist). If they had trouble finding the right bassist then they were up for another challenge as Sanjay (guitarist) decided to quit the band due to some personal reasons. But shortly, Monkey Temple was accompanied by Prashanta (guitarist of the band Mokshya). Prashant had been jamming up with the band for quite sometime and as Mokshya was splitting up, who else better to fit the description of someone to handle the six string for the band. With Prashant came a new music taste in the band as he is genuinely influenced by the progressive and neo-classical guitarist such as Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Becker, Conrad Simon and so on. But despite the difference in the taste of music of the new guitarist, the band decided to make the most of it by successfully combining the virtuoso rock and the alternative rock and getting on to the jam session to their best. "The band is a team and to get the best out of that team, cooperation and mutual understanding within them is a must," adds Prashanta. Hence the present line up of the band is Sareen (vocals), Subodh (guitar), Prashanta (guitar), Devashish (drums), Gaurav (keyboard) and Avaya (bass)
Music is about our attitude and perspective towards every little aspect of our lives and about self satisfaction," adds Sareen representing purpose of the band, "and with the addition of Prashanta on the guitars, we are able to perform any kind of song on stage. With his speed and accuracy, techniques and apertures, the band has been able to reach new heights." The band indicates their influence as Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilot, Alice in Chains, Candlebox, Nixons, Iron Maiden, Led Zepplin, Ugly Kid Joe, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Silverchair, Goo Goo Dolls, Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy and so on.
ALBATROSS PROFILE
Hard Rock
ALBATROSS (NEPAL)
For regular concertgoers in Kathmandu, Albatross needs no introduction. Formed in the late 1990s, they are one of the most talented bands around. After breaking onto the scene in 1999 at the 25:99 Concert in GAA, no concert ever since has felt complete without them. In fact, things had gotten to the point where their name started being listed on concert flyers without their consent to attract a larger audience.
Plagued with ever-changing vocalists, Albatross had been inactive for almost two years. But when Sirish, one of their older singers was back on a break from the US, they swung into action and churned out what is an excellently composed album.
People familiar with the older Hell's Kitchen or Hi:Fly Albatross will definitely be surprised with the sound of their yet untitled new album. While Hi:Fly was an out and out hard rock/metal record, their latest material lies in modern rock territory—and that is exactly where the magic lies. After all, it was their modern rock covers that earned them fame.
Recorded at BMI studio, the five tracks on the album, most of which are in Nepali, were written and composed by Sirish. "He wrote the songs while we added the finishing touches," says Sunny, the guitarist. "We spent just three days rehearsing and then three days for the recording."
The sound is reminiscent of the mid-90s alternative rock while Sirish's vocals hint at Incubus-styling. Lyrically, the songs on the album touch various subjects like love 'Khaseka Tara', persistence 'Koshish' and a call to friends in the US to return home 'Timi Bhane'. 'Sacred', the only English track, is an acoustic song based on a tune that Sirish always plays when he picks up a guitar. Hard rocking or not, Albatross always prove that no matter what the style they'll still play it well.
People familiar with the band may remember that Albatross never released "Hi:Fly" in the market either and the same goes for "Abattoir", their death metal project with members of the now-defunct Nastik. Because their new album has only 5 tracks, initially it too almost shared the same fate. However, a newly established indi-lable, Hamro Records Ramro Records, has decided to release it with three bonus tracks from Hi:Fly.
BAND MEMBERS
Sirish - Vocals
Sunny - Guitars
Avaya - Bass
Dipesh - Drums
ALBATROSS (NEPAL)
For regular concertgoers in Kathmandu, Albatross needs no introduction. Formed in the late 1990s, they are one of the most talented bands around. After breaking onto the scene in 1999 at the 25:99 Concert in GAA, no concert ever since has felt complete without them. In fact, things had gotten to the point where their name started being listed on concert flyers without their consent to attract a larger audience.
Plagued with ever-changing vocalists, Albatross had been inactive for almost two years. But when Sirish, one of their older singers was back on a break from the US, they swung into action and churned out what is an excellently composed album.
People familiar with the older Hell's Kitchen or Hi:Fly Albatross will definitely be surprised with the sound of their yet untitled new album. While Hi:Fly was an out and out hard rock/metal record, their latest material lies in modern rock territory—and that is exactly where the magic lies. After all, it was their modern rock covers that earned them fame.
Recorded at BMI studio, the five tracks on the album, most of which are in Nepali, were written and composed by Sirish. "He wrote the songs while we added the finishing touches," says Sunny, the guitarist. "We spent just three days rehearsing and then three days for the recording."
The sound is reminiscent of the mid-90s alternative rock while Sirish's vocals hint at Incubus-styling. Lyrically, the songs on the album touch various subjects like love 'Khaseka Tara', persistence 'Koshish' and a call to friends in the US to return home 'Timi Bhane'. 'Sacred', the only English track, is an acoustic song based on a tune that Sirish always plays when he picks up a guitar. Hard rocking or not, Albatross always prove that no matter what the style they'll still play it well.
People familiar with the band may remember that Albatross never released "Hi:Fly" in the market either and the same goes for "Abattoir", their death metal project with members of the now-defunct Nastik. Because their new album has only 5 tracks, initially it too almost shared the same fate. However, a newly established indi-lable, Hamro Records Ramro Records, has decided to release it with three bonus tracks from Hi:Fly.
BAND MEMBERS
Sirish - Vocals
Sunny - Guitars
Avaya - Bass
Dipesh - Drums
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