Kolkata-based old school thrash metal band Mortar is gearing up for an eventful month ahead! The band has raged with a good deal of no-bullshit thrash assault ever since its inception and is all set to play the first crowd-funded gig in Kolkata, following which they will be touring two cities in the North-East.
On May 3, Mortar will be playing Forged In fire II inKolkata alongside other superlative bands from the city and the North East. Forged In Fire II is a wonderful initiative by Kolkata Old School Metal Association and is the first of its kind being organized out of funds voluntarily contributed by metalheads.
Besides Mortar, the line-up features Necrodeity, Purgation Inc., Deadbolt, Wicked Child and Das Hubris.
You can RSVP to the event “Forged In fire II in Kolkata”, here!
Right after, on May 8, Mortar will be playing Metal Mayhem VI hosted by Rocka Rolla Events in Guwahati alongside other thrash and death metal bands from the East.
The line-up for Metal Mayhem also includes Plague Throat, Agnostic, Sycorax, Cynical Project andPsybarite.
Following this, the band will play Callous Amass in the famous Polo Grounds in Shillong on May 10. Callous Amass aims at enhancing the metal scene in the North East and also features a brilliant line-up of thrash and death metal bands- Meth, Rival Storm, Sycorax, Undead, Agnostic, Raped Jihad and Plague Throat.
On the 3rdof May, Kolkata will witness its first ever crowd-funded gig, “Forged in Fire II” organized by Kolkata Old School Metal Association (KOSMA). The line-up of six bands consists of both seasoned and newly formed bands from the city and the north-east.
Necrodeity, formed in 2012 is a death metal band hailing from Kolkata. Necrodeity’s music embraces the theological antagonistic axioms of the deus absconditus or the creator who resigned. Necrodeity has played at prestigious events like Trendslaughter Fest and the Ritual Ascension Fest. Necrodeity’s artillery has a demo to be released very soon and an international compilation featuring Mantak, Belligerent Intent, Orator, Nafarmaan and other bands.
Mortar, formed in 2011, is often identified as the ‘first of its kind’. Mortar has remained true to old school thrash metal and draws influence from the likes of Slayer, early Metallica, early Sepultura, Kreator, Sodom and Megadeth. Mortar’s sound means absolute assault, and the band’s debut EP, ‘Ground Zero’ puts forth unmatched aggression with well-accomplished bold vocal tasks, fierce progressions and dexterous drumming. Mortar definitely has a slew of promising material in store and you sure should have the circle pits ready for them!
Discography-
Ground Zero; EP; 2013
Motorhead India Tribute by Various Artists; Compilation; 2013
Beer-O-Calypse; Single; 2014
Currently working on a compilation details of which are soon to be announced.
Purgation a.k.a Purgation Inc. formed in 2010 is one of the masterly death metal bands in the country. The band is signed under extreme metal record label Slaughter House Records based in USA and released their debut EP Exterminated Malfeasance in 2013 which received wide critical adulation. Purgation presented their ‘aggressive musicality’ at illustrious events like the Undergrind Fest, ’12 where they supported Wormrot from Singapore and at Death Skull Ritual 2 and Banish the Posers Fest in Bangladesh alongside other accomplished bands.
Deadbolt, formed in 2013 is a four-piece thrash/death band which embraces the splendour of the old school. Deadbolt’s undeniable aggression and musicality have established them as one of the best live acts in Kolkata. The band recently played Thrashfest in Thane. Inspired by bands like Slayer, Kreator, Sodom, Morbid Angel and Death, Deadbolt delivers ‘in-your-face’ thrash/ death attack!
Das Hubris formed only in 2013, is a comparatively new band that plays hard rock drawing inspiration from the likes of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Cream, Deep Purple and Guns ‘N’ Roses. The band have proved their good musical acumen through some memorable live performances in the city and two singles.
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.
Discography-
Beer Queer; Demo; 2013
Vomit Holocaust; Demo; 2013
Thrash Metal; Demo; 2013
-THE ORGANIZERS-
KOLKATA OLD SCHOOL METAL ASSOCIATION (KOSMA)is an initiative that seeks to enhance the heavy metal scenario in the city and has already hosted a two successful open air gigs, Metal on Metal Open Air and Hard N Heavy Open Air besides the first chapter of Forged in Fire.
Mortar, a Thrash Metal band from Kolkata is pure Thrash Assault! The band has gone from strength to strength since their initiation in 2011, have shown prodigious musical mastery in their debut EP Ground Zero and have emerged as one of the best Thrash Metal bands in the country. Mortar is all set to destroy Kolkata in Hard ‘N’ Heavy Open Air, to be held in November. We had a quick conversation with the band. Read here-
1. Hello boys! Greetings from Indian Metal Scene. Thanks for taking time off to talk to us. How y’all been?
Mortar : We are doing just fine after a long time. Thanks to the newest additions to the band. Spade and Ani on drums and bass respectively.
2. Tell us the story of Mortar’s inception and your experiences from your initial gigs.
Mortar : We formed back in 2011 when our former vocalist, Nilabja came down from Bangalore to study over here. But the study part was soon ceased as he met me and soon we were writing some music. We soon found Soham to accompany me on the guitars and a drummer who was just with us for the first gig. Initial experience from our first gig and response from the audience made us give Mortar an identity and think about its future.
3. Have the few changes in Mortar’s line-up affected the band in any way?
Mortar : Very much. I have stacks of music written down and circulating somewhere in my head. Just that there never arises the time to discuss new songs. Since our first gig, it’s been a sort of ritual for the band to search for a bassist and drummer. Since 2011, we have initiated new members and after each gig, someone leaves. So, again we have to sit through the previous songs and coordinate the band again. If our lineup was consistent, we would have gone through an album by now.
4. You have also released your debut EP entitled “Ground Zero” through Incanned Productions, mastered by Jeff Fischer (USA). How did it happen and how was the experience?
Mortar :Incanned Productions contacted us after hearing our demos and we were ready with 3 songs. So, along with a tribute to Judas Priest, covering Hell bent for leather and our 3 compositions, we named the EP, Ground Zero. The overall response throughout and reviews were very much overwhelming and boosted our confidence for going forward.
5. Tell us a bit more about your artwork on “Ground Zero”?
Mortar : The artwork was done by the very talented Sujay Euphras of Sludge Horse Art House. We previously contacted some other guy, but he still doesn’t pick up my phone. So, I contacted Sujay, told him the idea of a warfare trench and in 2 days he brought everything in shape. All credits for the Visual part of the EP goes to him.
6. On the lighter side of things, you were banned from a rehearsal pad because your drummer Sayak ripped apart the bass drum skin on the first day. What happened afterwards?
Mortar : Well, Sayak is still banned from that pad and sadly he is no longer a part of Mortar, physically. He wanted to visit the pad and see our jamming recently, but the pad owner kinda freaks out after seeing him.
7. Mortar has covered, I am the sword by Motorhead and is featured on the “Motorhead Tribute India” CD. Is there another cover song planned by Mortar in the future?
Mortar : To everyone who are attending our next gig, “Murder in the front row crowd begins to bang, And there’s blood upon the stage, Bang you head against the stage, And metal takes it’s price, Bonded by blood”.
8. Which is that one band you guys want to share the stage with?
Mortar : Every Bangalore band whom we wanted to share the stage, was achieved at Doom over Bangalore. Sadly, we had to cancel the Mumbai gig, or else we would complete the list having Albatross, Solar Deity and Djinn and Miskatonic.
9. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear: Beer.
Mortar : Oxygen. A sense of relief. Strength. 3 girls coming towards me, one wearing Iron Maiden Monokini, one with Exodus Lingerie another having just body tattoo of Judas Priest.
10. After all the gigs and venues Mortar has destroyed. Would you like to share your memorable experiences?
Mortar : Let’s start off with our EP launch gig. 6 other bands were with us in the lineup and we were supposed to go last and launch the EP, in mid air or something…. So, everyone took their time nicely and performed throughout the day. We got up, finished one song and the management pulled the plugs. You see it was sort of a ‘nightclub’ and they needed the floor by 6, in the evening. We pleaded for just 10 more minutes but in vain. Another memorable gig was surely the Doom over Bangalore gig. The Doom syndicate’s hospitality and co-ordination blew us away. We ourselves took some lessons about organizing a gig from them. Playing with Dhwesha, Dying embrace, Kryptos, Bevar Sea was beyond our level of thinking. But they gave us the opportunity and I hope the Bangalore crowd enjoyed it.
11. What’s brewing in the Mortar artillery unit lately? A full length album of mass destruction in the future, possibly?
Mortar : We released the EP news on 1st Jan, 2013. So, new years eve is just 2 months away. Let’s see…
12. Open Air Shows aren’t too many in Kolkata and the city has marked its calendar for Hard N Heavy Open Air this November. Tell us about the local scene in Kolkata.
Mortar : Kolkata is still among the developing cities when it comes to metal. There has been a massive change in the demographic structure when comparing new school vs old school. This city has always been a live battleground for clash of genres. But, since the last 1 year or so, the metalcore scene has gone underground. They are now forced to give away free passes, lower ticket rates and brainstorm ideas about how to rise up again. So, you see, it feels kinda nice seeing kids listening to good music again, buying original merchandise, supporting the bands and the likes.
13. How satisfactory is it when it comes to organizing Metal gigs, the exposure, the listeners and the musicians. What has Hard N Heavy Open Air got in store?
Mortar : Organizing a marriage here is easier than a gig and that also open air. Our first attempt for getting together an open air gig was in May, this year. We found a suitable venue and decided to go for a test run since no one tried it before. So, with just 4 bands we pulled off the gig and you can see the video to see the audience response. So now, we have decided that it should be bigger. We have everything ready to blow off the place and merchandise stalls, foods, live contests on stage and lots more. This is always like a festival and I hope we can keep it up, involve outstation bands next time.
14. Here is your space to share your message to all the fans. Mortar incoming!
Mortar : To all the Mortar fans as well as our haters, do come to the Hard N Heavy gig to experience something massive, for the first time ever in this city. There are 5 other bands with kickass music. Death, Punk, Heavy, Hard Rock and Thrash. I hope you will need an ambulance back to home. Keep listening to good music. Drink Beer, Kill posers. Bye!!.
Thank you very much for taking your time to talk to us and we’ll see you soon!
Indian Metal Scene 