Heavy Metal is generally perceived as ‘music for angry people’. But, Bhopal-based vocalist Anchal Bhargava’s exposition of his band Elemental’s driving forces makes sense.
“We call our genre Bhopali death metal because our music is rooted in the brutality and atrocities meted out to the victims of the 1984 gas tragedy. The local government covered up the massacre and the culprits escaped unscathed,” Anchal thunders over the phone, prior to the act’s debut show in Kochi this Saturday.
“This is not just about Bhopal, but it’s the same across India. I don’t need to tell you why you should be angry,” says the musician, as he launches into details about their music.
Global resonance
Besides themes, the trio’s music reveals an Indian connect through their lyrics which incorporate Sanskrit verses. “My mother who is a scholar helps us transcribe our thoughts into the ancient language,” informs the vocalist.
Just listen to one of their few tracks available online like Inhuman Purge and you’ll see how they don’t hesitate to pump out extreme tracks influenced by bands like Cannibal Corpse and Cattle Decapitation.
Hailing from a city where ‘underground music’ is still gaining momentum, the five-year-old band has already traversed the subcontinent with performances in venues including Mumbai, Delhi, and even Nepal opening for legendary outfits like Behemoth (Poland).
Winning Metal Battle 2016 at Bangalore Open Air, the band was thwarted by visa issues making them miss a chance to represent India at the world’s biggest metal festival called Wacken Open Air.
Ask them about their plan for the release of their seven originals and the 27-year-old says, ”The first album is never an easy task. We’re still working on the sound and in final talks with producers. Hopefully, we’ll have our debut titled Creation of The Damned out by early next year.”
The team—also featuring guitarist Aman Sharma and drummer Oshan Saxena—is hoping for their first European touchdown after their first release hits the stalls.
In the fray
Three other metal outfits will share the stage with Elemental, with the most popular among them being Cherthala-based thrashers Amorphia.
“Unlike many other fests, we are giving each performance a slot of at least 45 minutes to make sure that even young acts get a platform to get noticed by the crowd,” says concert manager Moncy Francis, who is organising a show in the city after almost a decade.
`500. At Hotel Cochin Palace.
On October 21 from 5 pm.
Details: 9946000680