Wicked Child are an old-school thrash metal band formed in 2011. The band’s sound, unique in its own way, incorporates elements of crossover thrash. Wicked Child seems to be a promising band with raw power which reflects in their originals. Forged in Fire is going to be the band’s first outstation gig.
1. Greetings from IMS. How have you guys been?
WC : DRUNK but sharp. LOL! Anyway, jokes aside, we’ve been awesome, bored and restless because of this humidity. What with this heat and all, phew! Expecting more heat in Kolkata during our visit there. (Holy Shit!) At the moment we are just focused on Forged In Fire II.
2. Wicked Child is purely an underground band. Have you guys had any major breakthroughs since your formation in 2011?
WC : You’re right about that. Underground is the way to be. Metal has always been an underground genre. No one can change that. And we like it that way. Just imagine a situation where everyone in this world knew Metal, wouldn’t it be monotonous?! Metal will always be a genre for “the Few and the Proud”. Anyways breakthroughs as such had never stumbled upon us not before our demos hit the virtual streets. So before KOSMA nothing major has happened.
3. Your music and ideology primarily focus on the “80’s thrash scene.” Is your sound also influenced by the major bands of that era? Or does it incorporate modern metal too?
WC : That is basically what we started out to achieve and still strive to do so because there can’t be another 80’s thrash era and our focus on it is basically a tribute to it. Judging by the responses we have gotten so far it seems we have definitely struck a chord with our fellow thrashers out there and here as well. Definitely, the thrash titans are a major influence, without them we would’nt be playing this ‘exhilarating, relentless’ type of music. Thrash has always been a constant, the moment we first heard thrash we were sewn into it. Besides THRASH we are also heavily influenced by the NWOBHM. Cheers to the legends!!!!! Regarding your last question, the whole band is unanimous there is no modern metal influence in our music, we are old school genetically. LOL. But if by modern metal you also mean the New Wave Of Thrash Metal (Havok, Evile, Municipal Waste, etc.) then yes, we are influenced by the new wave thrash bands as well.
4. Have you guys played any out station gigs so far? If yes, how was the experience different from that in your hometown?
WC : No, KOSMA’s FORGED IN FIRE II would be our first and damn glad to be a part of it.
5. Your song “Beer Queer” has attracted considerable attention. What is the idea behind the song?
WC : Aha! BEER QUEER! What can we say! We ourselves didn’t expect this song would draw so much attention as it has. Believe it or not we got the idea for the song from a sitcom (Is that believable, LOL). The song is a dig at people (especially males) who tend to become touchy and emotional after a fucking drinking session. Ain’t that fucked-up?!Lol.
6. What are your thoughts on the current metal scene in India?
WC : As it stands today, there has really been a tremendous change regarding Metal in India. People (Headbangers, in particular) are becoming more receptive of the originals dished out by bands rather than just covers. That is a good sign. Promotion of our own backyard talent is the way to go and that is a great thing for future generation of musicians to come. It has broken the barrier of initiation and reached a level of independence. Independence of free musical expression and that is what Metal is, free expression of everything that plagues (or not) mankind.
7. Tell us about the metal scenario in the north-east in terms of exposure for metal bands, response from listeners ,etc?
WC : The Metal Scene in Northeast has been quite growing in the last few years. There are quite a number of bands that have come up recently and in the past five years. There are a number of Death Metal Acts, Modern Metal Acts, Progressive Metal Acts, Power Metal Acts etc… The only problem in this part of the world is lack of funds and sponsorships. Even in Shillong there has been lesser gigs compared to a few years back. Although the crowd response is satisfactory, but due to the lack of funds fans are not able to enjoy Metal music in its entirety. A few bands from Shillong has been able to break out and come up with EPs. In terms of originality, there has been a surge of bands coming up with their own originals which is a welcome sign by many fans.
On the whole, the metal scenario is growing stronger day by day, but the only problem is lack of gigs for bands to showcase their music. Fans here, especially Shillong are united when it comes to Metal and we hope there is going to be some changes in the years to come. There are a few major gigs that are lined up to take place in Shillong in the next few months. Hopefully this is the change everyone is waiting for.
8. What other interest(s) do you guys have?
WC : Thrash, Beer Drinking, Thrash some more, Poser Bashing, Rum party, Moshing, Crazy Ass Stupid activities.
9. Is Wicked Child associated with any label/sponsors as of now?
WC : Nope.
10. “Forged in Fire II” has an amazing line up. You guys are obviously excited to be a part of it. Are you expecting something special out of this gig?
WC : Hell Yeah!!! We’re excited. Firstly, because its our first outstation gig. Secondly, through this gig we’ll be able to interact with an expanded populace of HEADBANGERS. Thirdly, meeting bands with a commonality for METAL. Cheers to them all! The only thing special we expect out of this gig is people going ape-shit crazy and having a great blast. Metal is not about being serious, its about opening up and being “Stronger Than All”, taking all negativity, turning it into pulp and smashing it back at the fucking naysayers.
11. Do you have any word for fans reading this?
WC : Cheers to all our friends who have been showing us so much appreciation. You guys are kickass. Can’t wait to be there. Looking forward to moshing and laying ourselves to waste there with all you guys. Hoping for a memorable crazy night. Until we see you, keep on THRASHING, keep on BASHING posers and remember –
“We don’t stop thrashing nor moshing nor drinking unless we are sleeping”. HAHAHA.
Stay Wicked. Stay Thrash. CHEEEERRSS!!!!!
IMS : Thanks for talking to us. See you in the pit!
Listen to ‘Wicked Child’ songs, here!
To get all ‘Wicked Child’ updates, click here!
You can RSVP to the event, here!
Read our ‘FORGED IN FIRE II’ preview, here!
-Interviewed by Aditya Bali
Indian Metal Scene 