There are a few once-in-a-lifetime events that can truly change your perspective on things. For me, one of those events was watching some 100 odd metalheads, headbanging away to glory to some killer beats, mindboggling riffs and insane growls. And I loved every minute. More than anything else, it's the energy and stage presence that these performers have, ALL of them, that simply put, charges up the entire arena faster than you can think of the physics of it all.
From a first-timer's point of view, mind you I haven't the slightest clue what the growls were supposed to convey, though some seasoned veterans tell me that they are actually words, and if you listen really closely and once your ears are attuned to making out syllables, intonations and other phonetic helpers, I do believe that you can get the words. Truthfully though, I did make out a few words being growled out, though I think I have a long, long way to go before I can truly appreciate the good metal from the bad. Either way, you can't deny getting addicted to the continuous evolution of the beats and the riffs within the same song. Before you even know it, I can guarantee that your head will at least start nodding along with the beats if not for your entire body being consumed by the madness of the barely restrained hammering.
But if you don't think that this genre is for you, might I suggest some easier tunes to get your soul stirred and your body freed from its chains of restraint? Songs like "Smoke On the Water" by Deep Purple are classical clichés associated with the initial phases of heavy metal. However, if you do want something fresher and a little bit more comprehensible, you should check out songs by the progressive rock band Karnivool. If the band sounds vaguely familiar, it's because they were trending for a while in the country during IIT Bombay's Mood Indigo 2011, performing at the Livewire Night. Though not technically associated with metalheads, for someone who has always been listening to mainstream pop, pop rock and alternative rock, progressive rock would be a huge step ahead towards rubbing shoulders with, or rather, moshing your self-control out with the metalheads.
So the next time you're at a show around the city and bands mysteriously named Blind Image, Crypted and Totem are playing, take a leap of faith with an open mind. Go for the show. There's a first time for everything and it may even change your life.
*GROOOOOWWWWWLLLL*
From a first-timer's point of view, mind you I haven't the slightest clue what the growls were supposed to convey, though some seasoned veterans tell me that they are actually words, and if you listen really closely and once your ears are attuned to making out syllables, intonations and other phonetic helpers, I do believe that you can get the words. Truthfully though, I did make out a few words being growled out, though I think I have a long, long way to go before I can truly appreciate the good metal from the bad. Either way, you can't deny getting addicted to the continuous evolution of the beats and the riffs within the same song. Before you even know it, I can guarantee that your head will at least start nodding along with the beats if not for your entire body being consumed by the madness of the barely restrained hammering.
But if you don't think that this genre is for you, might I suggest some easier tunes to get your soul stirred and your body freed from its chains of restraint? Songs like "Smoke On the Water" by Deep Purple are classical clichés associated with the initial phases of heavy metal. However, if you do want something fresher and a little bit more comprehensible, you should check out songs by the progressive rock band Karnivool. If the band sounds vaguely familiar, it's because they were trending for a while in the country during IIT Bombay's Mood Indigo 2011, performing at the Livewire Night. Though not technically associated with metalheads, for someone who has always been listening to mainstream pop, pop rock and alternative rock, progressive rock would be a huge step ahead towards rubbing shoulders with, or rather, moshing your self-control out with the metalheads.
So the next time you're at a show around the city and bands mysteriously named Blind Image, Crypted and Totem are playing, take a leap of faith with an open mind. Go for the show. There's a first time for everything and it may even change your life.
*GROOOOOWWWWWLLLL*
Very useful for first time headbangers indeed...
ReplyDeleteA couple of suggestions for up and coming indian bands:-
1. heretic
2. light years explode
Lightyears Explode sound familiar... Can't place them at the moment though :/
Delete