PassionMust

NECROPHILIC THRILLS

2010-06-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

Roars from the silencer, Push and release accelerator

High on speed, unchained now four wheeled monster

Top gears waiting, madness within to get there faster

Overtaking, shocking dodges, making all look funnier.

Tired from a hard days grill, steps out a crowded transport,

A road to cross, A lullaby waiting, Little treasure, Poor crawler

Dreaming his cheap dream missed to wait one second longer

Blink not even a visceral reaction, Hit by that soulless creature

Dragged to an unholy grave, breaks amplifying a final torture.

Bare skin lies as breath succumbs, glooming eyes, iterate sighs

Pumping, ventilation nothing grants one little faint beat savior

Scared reaper on the wheel just prays, for case to not get messier

No guilt worries them, lined up milking a cash cow, slate cleaner

Path reeks will be cleaned, wrenched life now ready to be buried

Sold justice let the sinner walk free, careless was that dead passer

Necrophilic thrills a shameless killer, still untamed raging hunter.

PS :- Please drive carefully

-Kiran

MORTAL LIFE

2010-06-21T09:44:00.000-07:00

Insomniac on this quilt, ceiling never moves,

Darkness outside for another end it crawls,

Lonely introspection of right and wrongs,

Running aimless, cash of pumped up lies,

Alas!!! these sorrows don’t accept bribes,

Competing no containment in these eyes,

Greed, you can make my grave hollow twice.

We crucified creator, our ignominious sins,

Are better united those brainless dogs,

Hypocrisy propagated in the name of lords,

Can’t follow humanity prescript minds.

Want to wipe a tear worth billion smiles,

A selfless meaning beyond all the gains,

A new sunshine I pray this dawn brings,

Reunite lost paradise in our mortal lives.

-Kiran

THERE TOGETHER

2010-06-04T04:46:00.000-07:00

They stood there together, knowing they will be alone

Lonely shadows to follow, as all fates favor parts

They fought tears there together, dawns arriving

Sorrow a salvation, tragic cause in the rotten script

They lost there together images gained, their souls strained

Remorse for a shattered destiny, nothingness to hold onto

Compromised futures glory greeting their every step

Every tune missed a beat wishing wanting they were

just - There Together

-Kiran

Now you’ve Got Something to Die For – Lamb of God India

2010-05-23T19:33:00.000-07:00

May 15, 2010 the dates were announced not long back.The next big thing for the metal crazy folks of India . That was a huge relief since the wannabe soldout "(F)rock in India" had already gone to dogs. After a bit of disappointment last time around by keeping on repeating Maiden they had done the unthinkable, an age old pop boy band for a rock and metal concert!!!! no offense meant to any form of music but this was utter disrespect for the fans, The fans who had a huge role in the success of this brand name. Well that’s done and dusted, so once again DNA u can go fuck yourself ;) Coming back to the show, it was “Lamb Of God” indeed!!! A dream when I had seen the energy of these guys on concert video, a dream that I'd see them perform live,head banging,mesmerized in the audience, a dream about to come true!!!

Something else that was special about this concert was my wife would be with me. This music is a very big reason why we both are together so without boring you too much with the details this was super special. Vicky my usual partner in concerts, missed out even after paying for the tickets due to fever which was a disappointment. We reached the venue pretty late compared to generally what we do, so we missed most of the opening acts. Looks like the Indian bands Bhoomi, Boomerang, Extinct Reflections and Scribe did a very good job as we could already see moshpits and it was still day light. Oh one funny thing there was this cop( must be at least a SI) came in while the constables were standing near a moshpit. The constables threw him the usual salutes and this guy took a peek at the moshpit and that sort of freaked him out. For a moment he thought this is some serious fight and got in. I don’t know who did it, but somehow he was convinced all this is just come crazy fuckers going bizarre, no serious damage meant. He left the place with a disgusted look on his face. Later, I found him screaming to some organizers near the gate. Well, all I can say about that is -- it’s true the rest of the world will never get what goes in a metal concert, because for them, it’s all senseless. No complaints actually, it’s supposed to be senseless anyways :) We waited for about an hour went on grabbed some vodka,met few online pals and were back and ready for the storm. I knew there would be a metal storm but what I didn’t know was that it would hit me so hard and fast. I mean honestly it took me quite some time to completely realize what had happened in the next almost 2 hours,for sure the intoxication was not to be blamed because I have done more before, it certainly was the power of Metal the power of “Lamb of God”.

LOG introduced themselves with the smoothness of “Passing” only to bite with “In Your Words” like a viper striking out of camouflage. The exploding drums of Chris Adler with the guitar riffs made way for a signature Randy Blythe growl. The trigger the set the bangers in the crowd high. This phase normally is when the moshers try to make their space and the people who prefer to watch the performance on stage and do a bit of headbanging get settled in their respective positions, so did we. The song had quite a bit of progression if you can call it so but I was waiting for “Set To Fail” the drums and the vocals are phenomenal on this track and the energy it got in the arena was insane.

So go and weave your tale of woe
Convincing yourself it's so
You're so set to fail
Somewhere you finally lost your way

Only yourself left to betray

The trio of John Campbell, Willie Adlier and Mark Morton were up at it on their guitars while all hell was breaking loose around them. The barricades were destroyed moshpits everywhere, people swinging the metal horns with arms up high not giving a fuck about how bizarre they look or acted, losing themselves to the hell's angel called heavy metal, what an awesome place to be in!!!! In these times of mechanical existence there are very few places where you will find passion around. Come see this, it’s what is called as true passion for music. Next was a series of old favorites and our chance to scream the lyrics with Randy the dude in charge of the havoc “Walk With me in Hell” and “Ruin”,man this was some crazy shit....

Oh... Now witness the end of an age
Hope dies in hands of believers
Who seek the truth in the liar's eyes
Take hold of my hand
For you are no longer alone

Walk with me in helllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

The stage was brilliantly lightened and the orgasmic growls was truly an "art of ruinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn". There are no words that perfectly fit that moment or can recreate what we felt in that moment of divinity. Few words to the people who sit back and criticise all this is as bullshit, want to remind again it doesn’t matter what you think, so shove your hypocrisy, your sanity and enjoy it up there. These are really short numbers by metal standards and I really don’t know when I was screaming my guts out Infidelllllllllllllllllllllll, Imperiallllllllllllllllllllllllllll and that was really "something to die forrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr".

“Blacken the Cursed Sun” was when I had a breather with a slower swinging head. The band also seemed really excited about the response they were getting. They kept mentioning they will be back which might be good news for the guys who missed out. "India, you guys are the shit! We are so fucking happy we came," don’t know if all that was just to get the crowd going or true but it felt good they knew how we felt.Keep coming guys, we just love to see some more heavy insanity on stage.

“Descending” was a nice surprise there were others not on my set list which was lovely. There were moments when the sound was a bit fucked up but that’s understandable on a live performance, I mean guys stop comparing it with the recording for some common sense sake,at the least. The assault continued with “Dead Seeds”. By the time “Laid to Rest” was on the crowd was really worked up and this was the most popular of the lot. The response was right up there the obvious of course.

The bloods on the wall,
So you might as well just admit it.
And bleach out the stains,
Commit to forgetting it.
You're better off empty and blank,
Than left with a single pathetic trace of this..

Smother another failure.
Lay this to rest.
Console yourself, you're better alone,
Destroy yourself, see who gives a fuck,
Absorb yourself, you're better alone,
Destroy yourrrsssssssselllllfffffff.

Doesn't matter how crappy a job we did on the scream along part but we were having a ball “ Hell Yeahhhhhhhhh” . Randy had checked on us with "Do you feel alive Bangalore????" and had got a huge roar in return 'coz we were as alive as we could ever be. This time he introduced “Contractor” dedicating it to a punk rock friend and this was the highlight for me. What a freaking awesome track this is. The energy blew me away and I was banging my head for some screws to pop out. I tell you Chris Alder is the man for moments like this, “Yeah motherfucker we did take a ride” the breakdown and the picking of growls and the moment when the riffs took everyone one to one of the evillest ride of our lives.... the amazing experience just continued. “Hourglass” was superb trashy death and groovy we had everything going for the reality of our dreams. “Redneck” went screaming all the way this is a motherfuckin invitation but a special mention on “Vigil” and the last track “Black Label” both sinister and dark in completely different sense stood out from the lot. This is very close to what I have started finding most attractive in metal these days. Great Show---thanks to all involved. I am back to the normal living waiting for the next best thing or maybe the next hell ride – see you there :) -Kiran

PS :- Thanks to Bobin for the golden pics :)

INFANCY

2010-01-01T23:23:00.000-08:00

Pretending to be smarter
Possessed to be better
Race is on, Run harder and faster

Pleasure was needed but life got jaded
Hunt for gold and dreams were sold
Price we paid, a never ending greed
Soul is trapped, waiting to be freed

Mirth was effortless, amused as a kid
Watching wondering at that creators deed
House of sand worth not a penny shed
Bought priceless joy, no mansion ever did

As you sit mourning, how indurate you turned
Remember who we were, happy smiling breed
Rediscover infancy, once unknowingly we had
World is still the same, beautiful still blessed
In the journey, it’s the vision that’s got blurred.

Clipped Wings And Dead Eyes

2009-12-31T02:09:00.000-08:00

Her body feels numb to touch, yet conscious
Silent soul has lost its voice, availed shrieks

Mind sinks in total darkness with setting sun
Corpse moves to satisfy skin hungry demon

Selling self waits for rape as butcher negotiates
The deals struck sold for the day, paid with cuts

Intoxicated vulture smells and stares the prey
She fails to choke her hearts shameful cry

Burning down buds plucked and destroyed
Serving dressed every night, an agony feasted

Through taunting streets walks whore termed
A days earning shall be spent stomachs to feed

Food for a limping family and pills for the bedrid
Smiling tortured existence,Clipped wings dead eyes.

-Kiran

PS :- Please spare some time to watch the video below.

Sunitha Krishnan's fight against sex slavery

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To help for this cause click here and follow the link

Drudkh's Autumn Aurora

2009-12-01T22:42:00.000-08:00

"Autumn Aurora" my introduction to Drudkh, black metal from Ukraine. Ukraine, would you belive that! thanks to internet this world is a much smaller place now and music did always cut across boundaries. Drudkh means wood in Sanskrit and for me that was not the only thing that had an Indian connection on this album. Autumn Aurora is a journey hard to review. It’s hard to put into words the numerous gems of brilliance this musical creation carries in its crown. Still I would love to try my best to review this, let’s get started.

Imagine yourself in a lush forest, setting sun. The whispering birds are flying back to their nest as darkness sets in the air. Add an acoustic riff to this and with the fading light ends 'Fading' the intro. Thunder and lighting summons the rain with a sudden rush in the wind swinging the trees. 'Summoning the Rain' is the second track, The mixed images, the beauty of showers embracing the forest and getting it wet. The fear of nature’s furious thunders and lighting is recreated with just musics brilliant perfection. The keyboards and tom forming a divine base line under the aggressive guitars and screaming vocals. The good part about this album is every component seems to have a clear purpose to blend in the atmosphere and not over shadow. Music that lets a listeners imagination take wings and fly is divine.If this is not magical what else is?

Autumn morning arrives with drops of rain that’s lost its fury but not its glory. The first ray of light wakes you to a clearing blur mist as the brown autum tree gives you a glare filled smile. 'Glare of Autumn' is the next track, a repetitive track but yet it keeps you binded blowing you off with Proficiency of each instrument contributing in the overall ambiance. The drums amazingly provide enough room in-spite of maintaining its prominence with mostly double bass. The keyboards maintain the rhythm while the introduction of a guitar riffs pulls of the variation gradually picking the song to a dark heavy display with ease and technique.

We are out in the sunshine the cheer in the sky, the proud fields ready to harvest welcome the dance of joy on 'Sunwheel', This song reminds me of Indian classical music, wonder if I am the only one. As the drums blast beat with synths and progressive guitars take you to a solo picking its pace it feels like your running through a field. The leaves brushing your face as you stop for a gasp of breath, the screaming vocals greet you to a perfect ambiance. Sweats dripping as you sit there and watch till the sun sets bringing with it its darkness signified by the intense growls, everything is so precisely placed to leave you awestruck.

The scary winds introduce the listner to the darkness 'Wind of the Night Forest', the 5th and second last song. It’s the beginning of a long night as we come close to the end of autumn enveloping everything around in mystery, mystery and fear to know you’re so lonely yet not alone in this forest. The black metal drums are back only to take the song to a higher mood befor settling in the ambience,as the keyboards,guitar and growls provide the demonic touch. We reach a point of complete breakdown till the drums and guitar push the song to a priceless display of skill.

The end of autumn comes with 'The First Snow fall', as the leaves are slowly being painted white the chill sets in. We sit shivering next to the burning fire as darkness takes over with a cold breeze.Its a 9 min keyboard and acoustic guitar guided track that ends the journey of Atumn Arora, a journey you’ll always be grateful to have taken.If this is black metal I am in love with it ;)

- Kiran

OUTSIDER

2009-11-27T22:03:00.000-08:00

Walking out of the door, that city he grew

Promising beloved will achieve and endure

Better wish, dreaming destiny out of reach

Fighting tears, goodbye to land he belongs

New world lifts hopes of a glittering future

Unfortunate day fate decides to turn harder

Classified as odd unwelcomed for migrated

Abused and stabbed he bleeds that outsider

Painfully screaming the same god’s creature

Politics of hatred creping in every pavement

Race speech color diverse sinister segment

Birth place, a proud to display achievement

Territorial animal’s apathy towards judgment

Insecurity, superiority, justify that sentiment

- Kiran

Pink Floyd - Meddle

2009-11-23T03:02:00.000-08:00

The quintessence of music..and Floyd!

So, having thus far targeted oddball and somewhat obscure bands/artists and albums, this time I pick a certified classic from an alltime great with fans all over the world. But again, not without an element of underrating. For, Pink Floyd means Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here and The Wall to most rock fans, especially the last one. To the acid rock crowd, Floyd means Piper At The Gates of Dawn. But I can say confidently that a devoted Pink Floyd will have a special place in his/her heart for Meddle. Ok, admitted, we Floydians like almost everything they touched and Dark Side..is my favourite too. But all great things start somewhere and for Pink Floyd's classic era, that starting point is Meddle.

Meddle in itself though has a starting point: the even more underrated Atom Heart Mother. AHM is where Pink Floyd began to move to a different style and leave the Barrett legacy behind, though never completely. The sound became lush, mellow and atmospheric and some ambition became evident on the Atom Heart Mother Suite. But at this point, they were still confused about whither they wanted to go and this results in the album being somewhat unfocused (nevertheless one for which I have a lot of consideration and certainly more than both Gilmour and Waters profess at this point). On Meddle, they begin to perfect the formula, they begin to make the best of their great ideas. The perfection of Dark Side...eludes them yet, but they're close, the submarine is marching swiftly to its destination, ha ha! One of These Days has menace, A Pillow of Winds oozes beauty, Seamus has shock value and amusement and San Tropez has the cool quotient. In particular, Gilmour's vocals and guitarwork on A Pillow of Winds are beautiful and delicate to the point of defying description through words. On One of These Days, Waters shows he has realized he can never be an ace bassist (and at this point, Chris Squire and Greg Lake must have begun playing circles around him, I reckon!) and instead channels his efforts into coming up with memorable basslines. And just THAT bassline drives the song on its own steam.

The thing that has changed now about Pink Floyd's music is they are seemingly calculating the psychological impact of every little whisker they produce on the listener. They didn't have the chops of the prog rock bands emerging around them, especially in comparison to the talented musicians populating the Canterbury scene, and they didn't have the songwriting genius of Beatles before them or The Who from contemporaries. But what they had that no band before or after has ever possessed to the same measure is a window into your brain. Yes, better beware, Pink Floyd know what you go through when you listen to what sounds. And, after all, isn't music all about producing some response from your mind? We like to call it heart, it's really the right side of the brain we are talking about and though Pink Floyd themselves weren't probably extraordinarily gifted in the right side, they seem to have studied its workings in some amount of depth and applied it to their music in spades.

And nowhere is this more evident than on Echoes. Worth the price of the album solely for its existence, worth exchanging all other music in the world for it (fanboy alert!!!!) and indeed the key motivation to write about the album. I feel privileged to have listened to it and to now write about it. This, my dear friends, is what music is all about. A motley gathering of sounds ranging from the delicate to the bizarre arranged in a way that evokes an emotional response from you. And because it is a pure gathering of sounds as opposed to conventional music put into unorthodox formats, which is what prog rock was all about, each time you listen afresh, you discover something new. The sheer density and depth of this over-20 minute monster once again defies description. The musical ideas when you take them apart are limited and not spectacular or profound. To add insult to injury, Gilmour's guitar lines sound uncomfortably like Procol Harum's Repent Walpurgis. But, let me reiterate again, it's not about the originality, the chops, the talent, it's simply about the reaction the music generates from you and whatever else you won't react to, you'll react, either in disgust or in wonderment, to THAT noise after the 10 minute mark. Floydians have speculated about what it's supposed to resemble. Some think it's a submarine, some think it's a dark cave, I think it's a whale whistling. That it's something to do with the sea is obvious enough from listening to the song. The sea's infinite vastness has never been captured on sound better and more imaginatively than this. You can lose yourself in those sounds for an eternity..and the song too goes on for an eternity, leisurely, unhurried and elaborate, strengthening the impression of the vast endless expanse of infinity that the sea is. You could long for chops and get bored of it or just bask in those sounds. Considering the contamination level of Mumbai's beaches, it's a good alternative to actually soaking yourself in seawater...it even tastes salty, I promise! And unlike some Floydians, I am a strict teetotaller...sorry, it's a myth that you have to be stoned or drunk to enjoy their music. If you say that, you are just admitting to how deficient your imagination is! Just my opinion, hippies, kindly don't take offence as none is intended.

As you can see from the above, I have actually described very little about the music. That's the point, duh! Everybody has their own version of Echoes, it means different things to different people, takes them to different places. It's a fluid, vast, fertile breeding ground for your imagination. And that's why I humbly submit that Echoes and Pink Floyd capture the quintessence of music better than most rock bands in the world. This doesn't necessarily mean that it's the greatest piece of music ever (though it's my personal favourite and might be forever) but there's precious little else in music that's so abstract and yet so lively, so elaborate and vast and yet always over too soon for you, so weird and bizarre and yet so compellingly beautiful, so easy to fall in love with and yet so hard to fully comprehend (make that, impossible to comprehend!). If Pink Floyd had never made anything else worthy of recording on tape, much less of listening to, they would have still earned their greatness for Echoes alone. Things don't really work that way in the real world and Meddle kickstarted a hot streak for them which eventually sealed their place as one of the enduring classic rock bands and the only prog rock band to have true crossover appeal (Genesis and Yes changed their sound 360 degrees to appeal to pop audiences, Pink Floyd always were...just Pink Floyd!). Further, Echoes is part of an overall enjoyable, eclectic album called Meddle that's worthy of belonging in any self respecting rock music collection.

- Madan

CREATIVE

2009-11-21T00:23:00.000-08:00

Mount interweaving twin jewelery act

Soothing melody welcomes dark night

Scattering gold transforming sky sight

End of a day, sinking sun, fading light

Embracing lap of earth, settling bright

Shiny reflections on a mirror of depth

Radiant floating on ripples, with breath

Its free for all, this priceless marvel

Its anonymous, supreme creative real.

- Kiran

REINCARNATION

2009-11-16T01:50:00.000-08:00

She stood there high on a cold mountain top

Roots spread beneath to feed, binding grasp

Motherly gracious shading herbs, wanderers

Breeze caresses happy green dancing leaves

Heaven pours down drapery washing thirst

Reincarnate me lord, homage to nature's gift

Welcoming dawn, sweet sound melodic beak

Wings spread, they float out, explore and seek

Returning to fill family bestir back for next hop

No border lines, free they flow, nothing to stop

Tiny eyes blessed with the best view and sight

Reincarnate me lord, flying to kiss wind in zest

We slit breathing, our hands are blood stained

Gauging by notes, this whole existence drained

Running circles, satisfaction is a distant mirage

Uncured cataract, growing egoism left to bulge

Destructive selfish gains, cymbals of unholy ghost

Reincarnate me lord, disgraced by this parasitic past.

-Kiran

DUDE, I'M SCREWED!!!

2009-11-13T21:39:00.000-08:00

Through dense greenery a river flowed,

Learning to swim, secret scenics we hid,

Bicycle shortcuts, a forest road unpaved,

Bookless backpack but all supplies filled,

Bunking classes was a virtue undisguised,

Summons flipped, fake guardians showed,

Attendance shortage, for hall tickets fined,

Thanks you stood by every time I said,
“Dude, I'm Screwed”.

Neighbour's a hot chick, intro please my bro,

No kidding crush, don’t you see "I'm in love!",

I'll join you to her place, make a reason now,

Spoke about me, everything I want to know,

She hates me! My lord try again tomorrow,

Irritation of following and waiting in a row,

Forgive me for all boring emo drilling show,

Thanks for the shoulder every time I cried,

“Dude, I'm Screwed”.

Vocation pressure cooker with no whistle,

Salaries far off no cheques carry my initial,

Broke lend me some, honeys craving mall,

Drained by the week, plan something to chill,

Concert tickets oh! angel now nothings dull,

Carry me home comrade, am I high or full?

Pal break rules life otherwise is pretty still,

Thanks again, any problem call me to say,

“Dude, I'm Screwed”:)

-Kiran

UFO's Lights out

2009-11-12T01:54:00.000-08:00

"When punk met prog"

Back in 1977, when the winds of change began to sweep - and decisively in the case of progressive rock, there has never been a true second coming, the scene's consigned to quasi-underground status - the music industry and the supposed pretense and pomp of progressive rock was swiftly losing favour and the raw aggression of punk rock was gaining ascendancy, this British hard rock band called UFO pulled off a marriage of sorts between the two. Yes, a bit of punk and a bit of prog whilst really being neither, just out-of-the-ordinary hard rock.

You won't get the quintessence of punk here but the proto-NWOBHM title track captures the aggression of the punk side of rock in spades. You won't get prog here but Love To Love and Try Me capture its elaborate grandeur. The upshot of the punk revolution has been that for some reason, aggressive music cannot be beautiful nor vice versa. At least, it is reasonable to presume that the same band cannot portray aggression and beauty, that's what the critics tell you at any rate. And yet, at the very point in time that this unhealthy divergence and resultant one dimensionality was taking root in the rock scene, good ol' UFO proved everyone who cared to hear wrong. And a lot of people must have heard it for it reached the 23rd spot at the American Billboards. So how did they pull off this Jekyll and Hyde act?

The answer is deceptively simple: the breadth of its two key members at the time, frontman Phil Mogg and guitarist Michael Schenker. Mogg has a voice not unlike Procol Harum's Gary Brooker or Supertramp's Rick Davies...polite, mild and unmistakably British. Not too compatible with hard rock, you say. Surprise, surprise, he manages to pull off the hard rockers efficiently. He may be at his best when he's able to bring forth his sincerity but he's able to step out of his comfort zone and thrive at that. If anything, his sincerity gets transferred to some extent even to the hard rockers so that he doesn't degenerate into annoying tough guy vocals. It's a different matter of course if you can't get enough of tough guy vocals, me, I am fine with Mogg. This is what drives along songs as starkly different from each other as “Try Me” and “Too Hot To Handle”, with “Just Another Suicide” and the cover of American band “Love's” song “Alone Again Or” (heard of Love before? Me neither!) falling in a grey area. If the experience doesn't feel schizophrenic, it's down to Mogg. However, when all said and done, Mogg just needs that little bit of flair. He's efficient, competent and convincing but there's something extra I look for for a good hard rock album to become great.

And that's where Mad Michael enters the frame. The prodigiously talented guitarist who has since become the perennial underachiever of rock comes along playing in the most natural fashion and with supreme confidence a style entirely his own. I can hear a little bit of Iommi, a little bit of Gilmour and maybe Brian May but Schenker doesn't sound like he's trying to play like either of them, he only sounds like Schenker from the get-go. Whether his association with Scorpions has to do with it I cannot tell but he developed early on a distinct proto metal edge so when it came to playing fast and heavy, he was consistently ahead of the rest in the game. Take a look at that riff on the Lights Out chorus. Monster riffs? You got it. Lightning fast solos? You got it (be mindful though that I didn't have Alan Holdsworth in mind when I said lightning fast, let's not lose perspective!). And then come the ballads and you think the young fella will be out of his element and he has a pleasant surprise in store for you, wonderfully understated and yet intense and passionate and using shredding in small bursts where necessary for emotional effect (Love to Love). This means that even in the rather chamber rock-like trappings of said song or Try Me (Out In The Street from their 1975 album Force It is another example), Schenker's guitarwork is not only effective but captivating and enthralling. As Wild, Willing and Innocent proves, without Schenker, UFO were still competent and more than capable of getting the job done, but he gave them the vital edge that made Lights Out such a standout record.

And what of the individual tracks? The good news is there is not a weak moment in here, all tracks are eminently likable at the very least. Maybe “Electric Phase” and “Getting Ready” don't live up to the high standards of “Too Hot To Handle” or the title track, but there's nothing the tracks lack of their own. My favourite is probably “Love To Love”. It may seem odd to pick a somewhat long, grandly decked up ballad as the favourite from an album that rocks really hard when it rocks hard, but it's masterfully done, Mogg always pushing the right buttons and eschewing the temptation to overemote with Michael first bringing forth a gentle, caressing impression and then closing with a fiery climax...a conclusion befitting of the grand build up the song gets. From the rockers, it's got to be the title track. “Too Hot To Handle” is very catchy and infectious but I have to bow to that invincible riff! The production is perfect for the music too, clear and even a little lush but never lacking punch. Add the artwork with the grimy steam locomotive in the background and you have a winner!

After this, UFO would never be the same. They should have moved onto bigger things but infighting crippled them and after the relatively limp Obsession, they split (or rather, Michael parted ways with them). Before doing so, they gave us one of the best live rock albums from the 70s, “Strangers In The Night”. That's as good a place as this to start with UFO and hopefully it will not be the finish either and this killer album will make the prospect of checking out the rest of their albums - at least the ones with Schenker –

too tempting to resist!!!!!

– Madan

Steve Hackett's Spectral Mornings

2009-11-11T02:14:00.000-08:00

“Not your typical solo guitar album"

Don't know who Steve Hackett is? One time Genesis guitarist, that's who. I am afraid even that introduction would not be very illuminating if you are not a prog rock fan and haven't heard about Genesis before reading this. But that's the best I can manage.So...why Spectral Mornings? Because as the title says, it's not the
typical solo guitar album. Steve Hackett is, contrary to what some might tell you, an accomplished and inventive guitarist and displays considerable proficiency on both electric and acoustic guitar. Sure, he may not give Guthrie Govan sleepless nights but where else in progressive rock from the 70s do you hear such eveloped electric guitar as on the Genesis song "Dancing With The Moonlit Knight"? And yet, this album is - like all the Hackett albums I have listened to - more songwriting oriented rather than demonstrating the limits of his abilities. Now, isn't that unusual?

Not if you know the story behind Hackett's departure from Genesis. He left because he was brimming with ideas and could not put them - not all of them at any rate - on the Genesis albums. As Tony Banks and Phil Collins took most of the credits in the wake of Peter Gabriel's departure after 1974's Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, Hackett felt restricted and decided to go solo so that he could be free to express his own musical vision. And it is evident that it's a vision that's
surprisingly divergent from that of Genesis.

For instance, "Every Day" is a breezy, driving rocker that will put a smile on your face, completely unlike anything Hackett did with Genesis. "Clocks" and Tigermoth" on the other hand point to the influence of King Crimson on Hackett (and Robert Fripp does seem to have been an influence on Hackett's playing as such too), bringing forth dark and foreboding sounds.The title track harks back to "Firth of the fifth" - still justly his most famous and cherished contribution - in its drawn out, pensive, yet inspiring contemplation and "Virgin and The Gypsy" can somewhat be traced back to "Blood On The Rooftops" or "Entangled". In a nutshell, if you want a Genesis-clone album from Hackett, "Voyage Of The Acolyte" is what you're looking for; "Spectral Mornings" is Hackett all the way.

Now, what goes in the album's favor? Hackett's playing for starters.Always tasteful yet never lacking flair - he has probably the best guitar tone in the prog rock world too, by the way - varied and yet able to repeat himself for impact, switching seamlessly between acoustic and electric and never sounding contrived or forced on either. In fact, nothing in his playing ever sounds contrived,it flows as naturally as can be and cannot fail to create a pleasing impression.

But that's not the only thing that seals the issue. I still have to tell you why this is different from typical solo guitar albums. The answer is: clear, tight songwriting. It's clear than on Spectral Mornings more than any of his other solo albums - truthfully though, I am not familiar with his 80s output and am going with the general consensus that Spectral Mornings is better than those - Hackett knew exactly what he was doing. Not something that can be said, for instance, of his more recent albums like Darktown or Wild Orchids.His playing is more accomplished now than it was in the late 70s (Spectral Mornings came out in 1979) and he is able to traverse a range of styles so wide nobody could have imagined possible for him when he had left Genesis. But the songs don't make the kind of impact they do on Spectral Mornings. Spectral Mornings is not about what Hackett can do on guitar and therefore every song is purposeful and is enriched of mood and thrust from inception. They are also short – not long at any rate - and don't overstay their welcome, just sufficiently expanded however to not sound rushed. And short, by the way, does not imply generic and lacking in boldness. “Clocks” has probably one of the most effective drum solos in rock; so apt is the placement of the solo that you wouldn't even notice it's a drum solo, it makes for the perfect conclusion of the song.

Notice also the effectiveness of the placement of the songs. "The Red Flower of Tai Chi Blooms Everywhere" - redundant on its own – softens you up for the monstrous "Clocks" and "Lost Time In Cordoba" does likewise in the run up to "Tigermoth". All bookended by the two best tracks, the breezy opener "Every Day" and the majestic conclusion of the title track. This means that even though at least three tracks - Red Flower, Cordoba and Ballad of the Decomposing Man - are borderline filler, it doesn't hinder your listening experience.

I have reservations on the selection and usage of vocalists here.Hackett has generally made rather quirky choices of vocalists, so much so that fans like me would much prefer his own flat and expressionless delivery - at least it's not distracting! About the only choice I can completely approve of is Steve Walsh for "Narnia" off "Please Don't Touch" and maybe band mate Collins on "Stars of Sirius". Here too, the vocals on “Tigermoth” rather spoil the effect created thus far by the track and I only get by with the vocals on “Every Day” and “Virgin” and “The Gypsy” because they are just about adequate and harmless. Thankfully, at least half the album is instrumental so the vocals don't pull down the album by much.

To conclude, this won't ever be among the most spectacular demonstrations of proficiency on guitar you will hear but it is an emphatic statement of masterful songwriting from a very talented guitarist. Definitely worth checking out.

Author – Madan

DEPARTED

2009-11-09T22:08:00.000-08:00

Varied were expressions, joy and tears, varied every eye.

CST welcomes new, right next to few bidding goodbye.

Stubborn kid, pestering mom, pointing sweet stall’s pile.

Young strangers, exchanging unnoticed glance and smile.

Passengers of cruel fate waited for the next train to arrive.

Bullets arrived, AK47 spreading chaos, running for sky.

Calm they threw bombs, smirking at screaming, no shy.

Bodies fell in heaps slaughtered for no fault, sinister ploy.

Blinded drugged reloading 15min, piercing they stood by.

Promised nirvana, 2 hunters, brainwashed by fanatic cry.

Silenced as a grave, station in fear, sorrow ushered nude.

Blooded floors, which religion red can be distinguished?

A nation wonders, impotency to protect, who be blamed.

Elected couldn’t careless, a scenario now gets exploited.

Compensation sanctioned, ways to forget, many departed.

PS: - In remembrance of the departed at Bombay VT station (Mumbai Terror Attack 26/11/2008) and many more who lost their lives in terror attacks. RIP.

- Kiran

SINKING SHIP

2009-11-07T08:31:00.000-08:00

Out in the mind there is that temptation trap

Needs no justification has many excuses to slip

Err was the beloved reason for every lost grip

Fooling the world was never a hard difficult trip

Refraining no sins ignoring deaf at sighing strip

Still in that soul guilt always took another flip

Unconscious values now staring, a winking peep

Closing eyes this time did not stop tears that drip

Chased by shadows running to hold an unseen clip

Miles of sorrow sirens deafening at the melting tip

All the clever rant will no more save this hearts - Sinking Ship

-Kiran

CITY OF HATE

2009-11-04T06:18:00.000-08:00

Good morning good Lord, I step out no smile glued

ready to fight holding on to my computing sword.

Shooting stares overtaking honking battle field

depicting wide awake, a lonely dawn road.

Welcome to work,a shallow breeding grave

just licking egos crawl the clock, don't be red.

Drag down to climb, rules you can never trade

Rightful not needed, sweat out anybodies blood.

Soaps the new gossip, neighbors don't invade

All doors are shut, wide screenolic human breed.

Weekends queue up now let's wait, commercial food!

Too tired honey, please stop screwing this lovely bed.

Religion hungry demon so, feed him burning bodies

Worship horror sleep peacefully, all prayers molded.

Mob fury inflict pain, greed blinded devil's foolish child

City of hate grins at forsaken traces of all brotherhood.

LOGICAL NEUROSES

2009-11-02T01:38:00.000-08:00

I don’t believe in your rituals so many
Sun and moon can’t decide my destiny

Gender biases room for ruined humanity
Womb that created pleads,some dignity

Script or lust justify needed polygamy
Different yard sticks impaired,not shiny

Selling Almighty make all that money
VIP passes to watch idol, isn’t it funny?

Can’t trust your heaven and hell thesis
Blind trust was it just one minds genesis

One more taboo tool, One more nemesis
Diseased we suffer this ‘logical neuroses'.

SAD DEMISE

2009-11-02T01:32:00.000-08:00

Eminent eternity her warm embrace

Creators gift that fate rejects

Their blood fills these pumping veins

Buried in the burden of selfless sacrifice

Right or wrong I lost in this choice

Burning our souls, Oh a Sad Demise

Smile forever she prays in that last kiss

My face looks blurred in her tear filled eyes

You’ll be my only love she assures, no surprise

Please forget me whispers, my guilt haunted voice

Her promises don’t fade, I am punished for life

Burning our souls, Oh a Sad Demise

We are puppets on display as sorrow clowns

Compromise they call it our fake existence

Numb hearts filled with disowned feelings

Burning our souls,Oh a Sad Demise.

Lightbulb Sun by Porcupine Tree

2009-11-01T21:07:00.000-08:00

Floating divine you shall pass through this beautiful landscape under the “Lightbulb Sun”. This also is the first track to kick off things with. Ever felt of going back to your family like a kid cherishing the sick leave sort of vacation from school. Just stick to the lyrics that spell bounds you in a relaxing jovial atmospheric popish music to enhance the leads. Steven Wilson the multitalented founder and song writer stands out on his vocals and guitar. Richard Barbieri on synth brings in the atmosphere, Colin Edwin on bass (brilliance in hatesong with contribution on lyrics) and Chris Maitland on drums form the core of the creation. The next track resting on a piano melody with soothing vocals is “How Is Your Life Today”. The overall theme lets your imagination fly. Floydish in nature which Wilson has openly acknowledged this track is the glimpse in the standards of quality on this album. “Four Chords That Made A Million” experiments with traditional instrument’s like tablas and has some amazing lyrics that point a lot towards the music industry and its commercial tricks. It’s a fast beat rhythm once it picks after the intro the lead riffs are soulful matching the lyrics

4 Chords that made a million

And then a moron with a cheque book

Will take you out to lunch who knows ?

He will tell you you're a saviour

And then he'll drop you like a stone

4 Chords that made a million

And I have tried and I have died

Trying to get through

But in the end I can't defend you.

“Shes Moved On” is a usual love lost innocence lost song very calm and beautiful. It’s pretty much the usual rock structure and some welcome riffing. Banjo introduces us to the “Last Chance To Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled”. Other than being a very interesting title is brilliance of ambiance molded in it. The vocals end much before mid way with a speech by the leader of the heaven gate religious cult (a US cult that believed that they were from another planet and only visiting), you are off to a journey for which you should close your eyes and dream awake. Floating on “The Rest Will Flow” the track progresses being one of the shorter pop track. It doesn’t matter what music your into pick this album and try it you will have to try hard to not like this in my opinion. “Hatesong” starts slow with like its predecessor but its 8 min means psychedelic abundance. I want to try this on a mountain cliff watching sun rise. Well we all wish for bliss. “Where We Would Be” continues the ritual of soothing number placed with constant acoustic riff holding it together. “Russia On Ice” builds up atmospheric with primary rhythms introduction

You think I deserve this

You said I was stupid

All my thoughts are like coal

But Russia on ice is burning a hole

Can't stop myself drinking

Can't stop being me

If I call will you come and will you save me ?

I see the whole thing come down

I blow it to the ground

Well what the hell did you say ?

You said you hate me this way

It's just a matter of time

A drop in the ocean

A significant motion

Nothing melts in this cold

But Russia on ice is burning a hole

It’s time for the violins to pick up and breakdown. Bass ticking its way into an aggressive riff banging your head into a lengthy pre-climax madness bringing the house down and settling in dust of church bells. An erotic monster is what you can call this as it caresses you like the wind through your hair. The last track “Feel So Low” again has some touching lyrics and your ushered into melody and a perfect

Origin of Symmetry by Muse

2009-10-31T08:54:00.000-07:00

In all honesty I was very, apprehensive of this sound considering the heaps of formula bands. But boy this is a surprise package out here, MUSE. True to the name this is indeed getting absorbed in a thought. ‘Origins of Symmetry’ is the album and lets head straight to ‘New Born’. Starts off with piano introducing an about to break the shekels restless voice and lyrics that stuns you.

Link it to the world
Link it to yourself
Stretch it like a birth squeeze
The love for what you hide
The bitterness inside
Is growing like the new born
When you've seen, seen
Too much too young, young
Soulless is everywhere

Matthew Bellamy said of the song: "It's about a semi-fear of the evolution of technology, and how in reality it's destroying all humanity. My fear is that we can't control it because it's moving faster than we are, so the songs setting myself in a location in the future where the body is no longer important and everyone's plugged into a network. The opening line is 'link it to the world', so it's connecting yourself on a worldwide scale and being born into another reality, in a way it's on the same lines as the film The Matrix, but we weren't intending on copying their idea on technology and how it has evolved."Now that’s some cool writing and it’s just the start of the goodies. These are three talented bunch of guys. Bellamy is the multitalented brain that takes care of the vocals, guitar, keyboards and lyrics. Wolstenholme on bass and Howard on drums. The riffs with a pounding bass rhythm kick in pumping the energy to get carried over by the brilliant singing. The vocals have a unique flavor to keep the graph of emotions varying. The high pitches are introduced with a heavier feel in the music and it’s taken to a morelloish solo leaving you to decide what to admire more. ‘Bliss’ is upbeat like 80s disco with a synth loop, very romantic track and once again the vocals steal the show sitting pretty on the wonderful bass drum duo. ‘Space Dementia’ is brought in by a Matt beauty on the keys which is the highlight throughout the song and an charged vocal dispatch fitting perfectly the desperation in the lyrics.

You make me sick
Because I adore you so
I love all the dirty tricks
And twisted games you play
On me
The vocals and the keyboards setup a gothic twisted melody making it intoxicating as it finishes to a psychedelic showoff ending on a high. ‘Hyper Music’ is your get up and bang your head performance breaking down at picking up the individual brilliance is mouth watering. There is something about this band that seems very common on the outset but actually very different with its own flavor. ‘Plug in Baby’ is the next track and more sweet writing and brilliant riffing on display. A sinister start to a 7min gem on this album called “Citizen Erased”. It’s being said the lyrics on this album are mostly about the bands frustrations in the early days after knowing that it’s noticeable the feel behind this song being awesomely rebellious in the writers own words it’s an expression of what it feels like to be questioned.

Break me in, teach us to cheat
And to lie, cover up
What shouldn't be shared
All the truth's unwinding
Scraping away at my mind
Please stop asking me to describe
For one moment
I wish you'd hold your stage
With no feelings at all
Open minded
I'm sure I used to be so free
To the mind boggling bass around 4:00 an insane solo breaks the shekels to take a high and plunge into a psychedelic end to the track. ‘Micro Cuts’ is about the amazing vocals with a gothic twisted wrapping making it darker and surprisingly also soothing. Very well supported by the instruments with a devilish riff to seal it. It speaks about hate and destruction. ‘Screenager’ is acoustic more so like a breather. ‘Dark Shines’ the guitars and deep singing takes the song to a heavier passage riffs and repeats the structure. Again brilliance on the lyrics. ‘Feeling Good’ is a cover song with lay back and relax to lose yourself written all over it. ‘Megalomania’ the last pearl has the superb bass based rhythm back to a soulful Matt’s voice and piano with the lovely highs of these album to a befitting closure.

And paradise comes at a price
That I am not prepared to pay
What were we built for?
Will someone tell me please?
Take off your disguise
And all your underneath
It's my aim

Aenima by Tool

2009-10-31T03:07:00.000-07:00

It’s Tool, Its Carry drum's rolling.“Stinkfist” opens the freaky journey with hard hitting rage and unbelievable connecting lyrics. It represents for me the depression we all feel in our faking masks. Mynard ticking bomb like vocals build up the track to explode and there enters the intoxicating drums

It's not enough.

I need more.

Nothing seems to satisfy.

I don't want it.

I just need it.

To breathe to feel to know I'm alive.

The lusty progressions around 3.00 join in to complete the beauty that continues on this kick ass album. It’s a package of some genius creativity in every aspect you pick, the uniqueness of Carey’s drumming brilliance, Chancellor's teasing bass and Jone’s riffing reverie. It’s the start of a rollercoaster so hold on tight. “Euology” is an 8 min monster with a hypnotic start. The lyrics (some say they refer to bill hicks because of the album artwork but others say they relate to jesus).If this is an atheist speaking, I tell you he must be a real pissed one. Vocals display the anger and emotions perfectly depicting, in sync with the awesome riffs. The unconventional structures keep you on your toes for the next surprise. As a music lover you always crave for those moments of falling in love with moments of brilliance that leaves you awestruck. Honestly I had a hell lot of such moments with this one. “H” is next continuing the progressions with an amazing bass rhythm. This song is about the devil and the angel in all of us and how they influence our confused state to make a decision. You need practice to sing-along on this album which I totally recommend coz it’s well worth the effort. You’ll have a mind fucking experience guaranteed. ‘Useful idiot’ makes you feel like a useless idiot. “Forty-six & 2” is brilliance of flavors with the usual complex trajectories piercing some issue that’s the trend of lyrics on this album.

I've been crawling on my belly

Clearing out what could've been.

I've been wallowing in my own confused

And insecure delusions

For a piece to cross me over

Or a word to guide me in.

I wanna feel the changes coming down.

I wanna know what I've been hiding in

The vocals keep shifting in a pattern but every time it’s a thunder blast of the passive-aggressive Maynard. Midway it picks itself up for a showoff of the tool unleashed. “Message to Harry Manback” is another out of the box filler. “Hooker with a Penis” blasts to a conventional bang your head sound with Maynard spiting venom “Point that fuckin' finger up your ass” and it’s a fuck you message to a fan who termed them sold out. ‘Intermission’ is an organ piece and launches the listener into “Jimmy” that continues the dark journey. “Die Eier von Satan” something in German with a machine crushing industrial weirdness. Talk about how sensual this band can really get and mind you the variety is just astonishing. “Pushit” is a bastardly grinning sinner sound with crunchy riffs and sexy lyrics. Oh I forgot to mention its psychedelic like fuck trust me. ‘Piece of mind’ screaming vocals throw the track to a hell of progressive insanity in the guitars and drums. Almost 10 min it’s one of the gems of this jewel. “Cesaro Summability” and “Ions” which comes later are continuation of trend. “Aenema” very close to me, blown is too incapable as a word to express what I felt when I heard this fist. This is what goes in my head being stuck in big city ‘rat race’. Just have a look at this

Some say the end is near.

Some say we'll see armageddon soon.

I certainly hope we will.

I sure could use a vacation from this

Bullshit three ring circus sideshow of

Freaks

Here in this hopeless fucking hole we call LA

The only way to fix it is to flush it all away.

Any fucking time. Any fucking day.

Learn to swim I’ll see you down in Arizona bay.

The drum rolls, the bass and the restlessness in the vocals all makes you lose control with the riffs. This were the band has saved the best for the last. We know we haven’t had enough so the last pearl is 13 odd. Lines from Bill Hick a stand up comedians, "One Good Drug Story" are sampled before the song “Third Eye” and it’s a progressive epic with a proud mesmerism in it. A complete breakdown for the final assault led my Maynard brings the closer to a inventive trip. What has been created here is heavenly, it would spur the choked crazy in a few wanderers who would stop by at the hidden jewel they just stumbled upon.

Demons Of The Fall - Opeth in India

2009-01-30T13:21:00.000-08:00

After my previous post about Rock In India I was stuck at what would be next. Honestly never did find anything as exciting as what came after more than a year’s wait. OPETH in INDIA. Thanks to the guys at IIT Chennai. My introduction to opeth was “Under The Weeping Moon” and that one line “I laughed under weeping moon” that was so very metal \m/.

Vicky and me reached Chennai sometime in the afternoon. Met some online friends and had a short visit to IIT for a competition of local bands judged by Opeth. Though the rest of the day was very tiring, the good part was watching Opeth for the first time. We had missed most of the competition reaching just in time to see Opeth on stage announcing the winners and giving out some kvlt music gears. The expressions on the faces of these guys who won when they went upstage was something very special. Some just could not hide the shivers and others were total stoned disciples not believing what they were going through. My thought was very similar “24 hrs and this place will explode” I had seen what had happened with Machine Head and I was pretty sure Opeth will help me reclaim that moment of magic and madness. So the D-day January 25th, 2009 was finally here.

We were out of our hotel by 12.00 with the supplies well packed. The rickshaw guy duped us to make some extra bucks as a welcome to Chennai gesture which is pretty
common to most of the Indian metros for visitors. Once inside we got our online tickets exchanged with the real ones. To start with the tickets looked like a shity nokia pamphlet. Johnny and Sri my online friends, God bless them coz they took me to the autograph session. The auditorium was almost full of people waiting desperately from past 3 to 4 hrs.The moment I enter I find this one guy with the typical pundit looks and lots of bullshit “ no photographs, autographs only if you buy organizers T-shirts” etc etc. That sounded real funny but something more important was about to happen. Opeth walked in to some roars and opeth chants. The cameras were out first thing. Don’t you know the first rule of metal is “Fuck the rulzzz”. I was said one guy took an autograph on his underwear. I don’t blame him coz I am pretty sure his underwear was way better than the organizers T-shirt priced at 400. I took some real sweet snaps outside of few guys who managed to get the autographs and they were still shaking with their new priceless possessions. The clock ticked few more times and it was time for the SHOW.

Thanks to the organizes more than 75% of the fans who paid for the show and traveled long distances had to be stuck outside with few stupid orange caped wannabe sherlock holmes, while the first band was performing inside.

We got in and what greeted us was Demonic Ressurection. I did not find their stuff on myspace veryimpressive. Maybe it was the fucked up headphones at office because they were much better live. They did a pretty good job at opening the show. I was excited to see Motherjane since I find their latest Maktub very good. Motherjane looked sweet on stage with those yakshagana like half face made up. I think their performance was very enjoyable to most of the guys who had tried them before. The only small problem was the tempo got a bit low which was not a great idea with a opeth storm coming. All in all they got a pretty good response from the crowd which they deserved totally. You got to give it to them they are one of the few good bands we have in India.

How can we forget the organizers in all this? They with their marketing genius sponsor came up with this brilliant idea of putting Ads, ARR songs and the height-pussy cat dolls right in the middle of a metal show. I mean weren’t you IIT’s supposed to be one of the smartest ass in this nation. You don’t need rocket science to know that you can’t sell to a customer whom you don’t respect and understand. Ok suck the ideology you could have at least pretended to respect the audience. You had all the Britney spears and Reshamiyas were that trick could have worked but trying that in a Opeth concert your out of your mind for sure. Hope all the Fuck u’s ,Fuck The Orange caps showered on you and the big FUCK NOKIA INDIA from the Mikael on his blog made you realize how stupid you turned out to be.

News flash :- Mikael gave the cell phone Nokia gifted him to a random driver -- ROTFLMAO. That guy is so very METAL.

The sound checks were going on with we having a bit of cheap humor by repeating the sound check guy. Oh I forgot to tell you this big tragedy that took place vicky got caught smoking by some orange cap kid and thrown out when motherjane just started playing. I thought for a moment of going out but there was no way I was missing opeth.Just sent a sms to try the other gate. See shit happens ok. The place was hot with bodies stacked to each other. Some were warming up, I guess. We could see this usual touch me not where the fuck am I kinds, kept just ignoring them. The moment of truth was finally staring at us. In walked Opeth.

Our one big family of metal heads with a huge growl and devil horns trying to touch the sky welcomed the madness. HEIR APPARENT and the Explosion -------------------------------- Cooooooooooooooold daaaaaaaays Oooooooooooooooold waaaaaaysss Toooooooooooooooold lllliiiieeeesss Nooooooooo mooooooore

The lot of thousand bodies was lit into flames by the masters of the night OPETH. The head banging took its pace

Skeletal wish Hunter A thousand lies cast from the throne of secrecy The growlssssssssss got louder and in came this awesome passage of brilliant melody right next to that loud growl. Tell me how many forms of music would have the balls to try something like that and that’s precisely why Heavy Metal Rulzzzzzzzzzzzz. Think about total quality stuff served and you have THE GRAND CONJURATION that came next.

Majesty

Faithful me Pour yourself Into me

Wield your power Martyr's price

Stare me down To the ground The

eyeeeeeeeeesssssssssss of the

devilllllll Fixed on his

sinnnnnnnnnersssssss

We were back to our head banging best in whatever space available. The place was loud as fuck with thousands of us joining in and there came the grand conjuration. I suggest you listen to that passage 05.06 right now if you want to feel how freaking crazy we all went when they played that solo coz there is no words in English literature to put down that feeling. The good part was the progression in the song which makes you feel like this caged animal allowed to commit assault in short burst. GODHEADS LAMENT picked up and took the high to a total death metal ambience. It seems the orange caps were shit scared and pleading Mikeal to ask us to move back. The moshing scares to hell out of any normal human anyway. They kept saying people are getting hurt but I did not see anyone complaining and there was lot of space behind. My true thoughts at that moment “welcome to the rituals of a fuckin metal concert”. Mikel asked us do you like death metal and got a huge 'Yeah' from us and he continues "the next song is what death metal is all about WREATH". Awesome energy a head bangers dream and I had this whole bunch of kvlt bangers around me. A guy from Bombay , Phani from Hyderabad (I took his name and number after the show) and this one group from north east I guess. The girls where one of the most brutal head bangers I have ever seen and that shampooed hair slapping your face what a feeling. As a fuck you to all the people who think metal is pure noise what came next was a melodic master piece which any music maestro would dream to be a part of his creation ----- HOPE LEAVES.

In the corner beside my window

Hangs a lonely photograph

There is no reason I'd never notice

A memory that could hold me back

There is a wound that's always bleeding

There is a road I'm always walking

And I know you'll never return to this place

A rain of musical beauty showered on us.

Would you believe people got lost in themselves standing right in between thousands. Amazing feeling and Mikael follows that with a Swedish folk tune lunching us back into THE LOTUS EATER. We were like puppets that awesomely talented band was controlling. First BLEAK and then NIGHT & THE SILENT WATER you have this 9-10 min creations being played leaving us mesmerized in the absolute accuracy of execution. There was a phase were in Mikael walked real close to the crowd. That brilliant sight of long hair over shoulder and a lovely guitar as a weapon of choice. That’s my image of god if I was asked to make a mythology on metal. A prolonged intoxication which left us wanting for more and the answer came in DELIVERANCE. Head banging had shifted to top gear. Mosher’s having a ball.

walk with me, you'll never leave

wait to set your spirit free tell me

how your heart's in need as i drown

you in the sea

Mikael said we have now reached the last song and huge chants of encore going up. “The next song is from the record MY ARMS YOUR HEARSE” Indeed Demons of the fall had arrived and brought with it the moment I waited for such long. Yes all hell breaking loooooooooooooooooose.

You keep the dagger close at hand.

And you saw nothing. False love turned to pure hate.

The wind cried a lamentation before merging with the grey.

Demonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn Demon of the fall.

Impossible to express the feeling of eternity that I could see in the eyes of the people around me.They did say that would be their last song which was pretty obvious not true. How can Opeth end a show without The Drapery Falling? The organizers came up with some antics again pissing of each and everyone. I did not mind it coz I was fuck tired so a breather was very much needed. Mikael was clearly uncomfortable with the crap which was going on but total respects he was trying his best to keep the fans in a happy mood by his great sense of humor and screwing nokia by one statement “Phones are good but heavy metal is better” . I saw vickys sms that he managed to get in before Opeth started. Hell Yeah. BAYING OF THE HOUNDS got us back to the kayos we were so comfortable in. The Growlsssssssss back at their best and its bloody death metal all over the place. The last song of the night took us to that perfect climax with the powerful solos picking pace and dropping it to a complete zero and The DRAPERY FALLS .

Please remedy my confusion

And thrust me back to the day The

silence of your seclusion Brings

night into all you say Pull me down

again And guide me into pain Holy

insane we were flying on the wings

of a master piece. What these guys

had given us today was an out of

world experience.

Something you dream of and conclude its too good to be true. The music stops and that dream has come true. I turned back and my stumbling legs took me to the nearest possible step. I sat trying to calm my sick feeling -why can’t this last forever. Few fireworks to end the night and we are back to the shit hole society. Vicky told me he ran to the nearest ATM and bought the tickets again.For him the effort was worth what he got in the end. Special thanks to the chennai dude who shared lots of pics that are posted here \m/\m/\m/

Gods in Sync Megadeth - MachineHead in India

2008-03-18T10:36:00.000-07:00

A rainy Saturday afternoon of March 15^th 2008. The noisy traffic of Bangalore is numb, the world around me is quite feels like the silence after a huge storm. The metal storm that just passed us last night, the mirage is yet to sink.

Seems like yesterday, end of December and the news started making rounds “Megadeth and Machine Head are coming to Bangalore”. Imagine the effect it had considering HOLY WARS has been my all time headbanging favorite. I don’t give a flying fuck about the controversies or the arrogance of Mr.Mustaine, his music was always special and that’s all - what matters. It was “BOOM” blowing my brains out Ill see them live ----I messaged my friends and we booked the tickets at that moment almost 100 days prior to the show. This was not hard to decide specially with the memories of swinging on Maidens tunes still very much fresh. It was a long wait worth every bit in the end. Rock has become such a huge part of my life almost the religion I follow most. This was the festival of head bangers and the lightning was there announcing GODS were indeed in SYNC.

What a day and what a beginning "Frock In India" ( The names changed from rock in india since the fucking organisers invited Backstreet Boys to play for the show). Our warm up had started last weekend at a pub. The play list was obviously loaded with Megadeth. Peace Sells to Train of consequences we where banging our brains out. The excitement of seeing DETH performing live was running wild by then. Turned out I was lucky enough to win a T-shirt and a Machine Head Blackening album that night. Internet was kind enough to provide the likely set list our minds were desperately waiting for Friday. Finally it was Friday 14^th March 2008. By 11 we were fully loaded with packed supplies well hidden from potential frisking that was supposed to happen. The first beer at my place came out by 11.30 am.We reached Palace Grounds after having lunch at about 2.30 pm.The drags were in and we went flying high to the frisking gates. Not much of a trouble, we managed to get everything inside nice and smooth. Then came the first view of the two stages what a lovely sight Wow.

The bigger one (big enough) was nicely dressed up in black. Junkyard Grooves were playing on a smaller stage and we sat for a while right in between the two stages soaking the madness around. We could see smoke coming out of the crowd right in front of the smaller stage. That was a good enough motivation to move right at the front.

By the time we reached the front rows there came in Mother Jane. It was my first experience with this band, since few guys with real good taste had recommended this band long back- I was sure they wouldn’t be that bad. Guess what they were fuckin good. The vocals was high pitch and the guys on the guitars were bettering the vocals. This was enough for the supplies to come out. The head banging started and Mother Jane didn‘t disappoint one bit. There was a phase when the lead guitar had some problem (hope I picked it right). The vocals and bass maintained the tempo for more then a minute to cover up for the lead guitar that was amazing show of confidence. Then came in Thermal they took some extra time to get there sounds right and did a pretty good job. I was watching the people around me. The first thing to cross my mind was “good to know I am not the only shit head out here”. A community that was in hibernation had come out to pay honors to the big daddy of thrash. If crowd in Maiden was quantity this crowd was all quality for me. Less posers than Maiden definitely a big plus. I could see it in there faces most of them where trying to stay calm, still wondering at the fact that their dream of seeing Megadeth was about to come true. By this time we had moved pretty close to the big stage in anticipation. Millennium started playing at the smaller stage. All I knew about them was they started playing metal in late 80s.Isn't that so very cool, my interest to know their music was replied by some real good stuff by millennium, they seemed like old school metal heads. Then it was Pentagram this guy I believe had made some shit statement long before the concert and in return they got booed from where I was. At least that is all I remember about their performance. The lightning was there and with them was Machine Head arriving and what an arrival it was. Ever seen Mass Hypnosis? This was it.

The crowd roared with the mic “WAR”. Fist of Dissent was exploding from the drums and we were blown off our feet as the crowd started moving. It was funny to find few people getting offended by all the pushing that was going on. Seriously wrong place to be if you where that touch me not kinds. The best thing to do at that moment was to be a part of the absolute chaos. I started head banging in that small space and the next thing I realized - I was pushed in a mosh by some sweet mother fucker, thanks dude what a experience that was people charging at each other like it’s a fucking riot. I never expected this is of all the places in India, it was like one big family. By the time I managed to get out of the mosh I had lost both my friends in the crowd. Now standing there alone my only identity at that moment was I was a HeadBanger. I was in no mood to look for my pals. I was moving with the wave where ever it took me. My head seemed like it was going to fall and roll on the floor by the time Aesthetics of Hate finished. Next song and I could not resist banging my head again.Pain was turning into pleasure. I looked at the sky the lightning was in synchronisation with drums.It always sounded funny when people used words like "Metal Gods" but it made perfect sense tonight.Even the gods where mesmerized looking at this bunch of people. Machine Head were gracious in expressing there joy for the kind of response they received. They were surprised about the response but most of us felt they deserved every bit of it. What an opening these guys had put up!!!

DETH was to follow. I sat down on my knees while the sound engineers were at work for Megadeth, A sip of whiskey was a huge relief for my dry and sour throat. The crowd was jumping to see the first glimpse but I was still on my knees trying to gather as much energy I could in that short break. Finally when I did get up the sight of the stage took some time to sink in. Black and steel every where, Megadeth written big and proud and here they were, MEGADETH.The metal horns where high as we bowed at the masters of this night. Our dream was there. Megadeth looked awesome on stage.

It started with Sleepwalker, the sound was fucked up.That didn’t bother me one bit .I joined in the screams “NO ONE IS SAFE ---- SLEEP WALKER” Don’t know if it was the sound that was bad or since it was from the latest album,there where quite few people who seemed confused, worried, whatever... The head banging continued and I just kept walking from one end to another singing, mostly screaming. Wake up Dead was the song that was going on and I saw this girl with pretty long hairs head banging right behind me. This was a pretty good place to settle for the rest of the show. The tempo was up with Take No Prisoners. What energy!!!

“DON’T ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY

ASK WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU

-TAKE NO PRISONERS TAKE NO ----SHIT” – loud shouts going up in sync

Skin O My Teeth was the song, this girl behind me was singing along (top of her voice), I was head banging and we where matching it beat to beat. Washington is next was next on the menu and our antics continued. I was desperate for Kick the Chair which sadly never happened thanks to the crap night life in Bangalore.Crazy fuckers talk about making Bangalore up to International Standards.How bout having some standards for common sense also ASSHOLES.Megadeth had to hurry with there performance and what I really appreciated was they tried their best to squeeze in as many songs as possible. The intro was attitude Mustaine style
“YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE, I KNOW WHO I AM SO LET’S GET ON WITH IT” bchod.

The next song was better then my expectation “In My Darkest Hour” what a song what a moment to remember the great Cliff Burton.Hanger 18 was next people and whatever little bit of sense was left in me had vanished now.
“MILITERY INTELLIGENCE

TWO WORDS COMBINED THAT MAKE NO SENSE –

POSSIBLY I’ve SEEN TO MUCH----------------------Hangar 18 I KNOW TOO MUCH”

Though it was not perfect – fuck perfection I was having the time of my life. A Tout Le Monde started and the only thing audible from mustaine was “Don’t remember where I was” the rest was a loud chorus from the crowd. Everybody enjoyed fucking up the French part of the lyrics, who cares there were no French to notice.Tornado of Souls and Burnt Ice I guess were the next two songs. I was exhausted my arms up with the metal horns and I was breathing like a dog, felt like I will pass out the next second but the music was too good to let that happen. The drums got prominent and the head banging was back at its best
“WATCH PEOPLES HEAD AROLL” trust me there where lots of heads rolling to Symphony Of Destruction. Trust was good and Peace Sells was awesome.When Dave said
“CAN YOU PUT A PRICE ON PEACE?”the guitars took over like a detonator triggering an explosive device.All hell broke lose the energy at that moment was mind blowing.

PEACE SELLS..., BUT WHOS BUYING?

The music stopped and we knew it was Holy Wars next and it was supposed to be last. The shirtless guy next to me was jumping.For the first time I had a proper look at this girl behind me. Women with that attitude are ROCKIN.She was with her boyfriend (I guess) and strangely he seemed clueless of what was going on. The next thing I knew -Holy Wars was on Mechanix was a nice surprise and back to Holy Wars and that was the moment I was waiting for -The perfect position was there and the words were out.

“FIRST MISTAKE -------LAST MISTAKE
PAID BY THE ALLIANCE, TO SLAY ALL THE GIANTS

NEXT MISTAKE ------ NO MORE MISTAKES”

What followed after that was the wildest whiplash of my life. It was like my eyeballs were about to pop out.
Mercy killings-Mercy killings-killings-killingssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss.

I collapsed on my knees few guys around me gave a pat for that effort. As everybody was leaving I was still on my knees trying to get my heart beat back to normal. It took a long time to walk back to the parking lot considering the distance. Mixed reactions and of course the usual critic’s with there list of flaws.

My friends were waiting near the parking lot with a face like they just came out of a car crash.Chilled beer and memories marked the end of 14^th March 2008.

Thanks guys I will cherish this all my life.