Diabolus Ex Machina present their first show, Insidious Prophecy Vol. I with an extreme line-up featuring bands from Kolkata, Meghalaya, Manipur and Assam. The bands playing are Strangulate, Armament, Infernal Diatribe, Deadbolt, Lunatic Fringe, Divide Torture, Chaotic Dread, Genocide Disorder and Gnosis of Catacomb.
Indian Metal Scene recently spoke to Armament, a thrash metal band from Kolkata. Here are some excerpts!
About the band: “Every time we get this, it’s like taking a glance at how we have spent the last few years making music. It is a bit nostalgic really considering the fact that so many things have changed around us in the last 5-6 years or so.
Well, the band formed back in the winters of 2011, November to be precise, with two immensely talented guitar players that we have seen during our existence and one guy giving vocals. All we were trying to do is jam and create something which we liked. It was not like trying to send a message initially since we hardly had any idea about the then existing scene or whatever there was, but there were a number of them who really enjoyed this form of music and has been a support for the band through and throughout.
Slowly the entire line up was set and we were up and running with our first gig happening in 2012. Since then the band of course faced the fundamental obstacles considering our clichéd surroundings and lifestyles with the occasional dormancy, but every time our supporters have pushed us back on the stage with the Rocky Balboa theme song playing in the background. Ha ha ha!
But truly it has been a great experience, playing with so many killer bands out there and getting to know so many people who support the spirit of heavy metal.”
Perception of Thrash: “To be honest to the guys if someone might think that Thrash Metal is a way to express your anger and hatred only, you are only partially right cause all of us metal heads, all over, go through that time when we get that urge to end the day with that moment of bliss were we tune into those classic records and clear our heads from the regular bullshit we face in our daily lives. It has been a gradual process that we started to think about this music more seriously.”
Songwriting: “The majority of the lyrical compositions were made by Soubhik and Sharan (the first person to have set the beats in the jam-room during the earliest days) based on which the guys would try to create riffs, which is how I guess it is around the globe. The song-writing would mostly be done based on themes and trying to relate them with our everyday social life. It was more like telling ourselves that it is ok to be frustrated, you put on those headphones and head bang all your stress out of your brain.”
Ideology and lyrical themes: “To tell the truth we never thought we will go out on the streets with big slogans telling how fucked up the world was, but heavy metal was something which always spoke the truth. For us we were trying to be different from the contemporary bands around us, at the same time it was like spreading the awareness of the genre that had existed for nearly 30 years. The band has always chosen to be subtle when it came to the portrayal which would probably reflect on the music that we create. As for our debut release First Strike, which came out back in 2015, the entire EP was written keeping in mind the history of Kolkata, the political agendas and the atrocities that happened all over the city. While Gas Chamber was a dedication to the tragic inferno at AMRI Hospital, which happened back in 2011, Wings of Death and Hammer of God were written keeping a metamorphic message within the lines.”
Influences: “The band had influences from varied genres when it came to individual players but what moved the band together was the classic sound of the late 70’s and 80’s era, starting from the dark lyrics and theme of Black Sabbath to the extreme bands like Morbid Angel. Keeping aside all these the Brazilian and Teutonic thrash bands like Sodom, Destruction, Sepultura, Sarcofago and also Sadus have been considered as the Elder Gods by us.”
Any upcoming release? “New materials are currently brewing within closed chambers and of course we plan to record something new and fun before we finally hit the studios for our full length.
Also we have a number of shows lined up for the band in the upcoming months following the Insidious Fest with Nepal being our next stop later April. The band is really looking forward to it since it is the first time the troops will be marching beyond international borders.”
What’s in store for the show? “We are planning a short and fast set for the Insidious Fest with a new original added to the set. Apart from that we will be doing a Kreator tribute for all the crazy maniacs there. Really looking forward to it since it will be a pre party sort of a thing alongside a number of familiar faces as well as new ones, before we finally set sail for Nepal.”
Any message? “Gear up. Only a day is left for Insidious Prophecy Vol. 1. The Army is coming for ya.. ha ha \m/ Looking forward to joining you guys in the pit.”
The venue for the show is Muzik Factory, Salt Lake, Sector 5, Kolkata. Early bird passes are priced at 250 INR and at-the-gates passes at 300 INR. For details, follow the event page on Facebook!
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