Gig Review : Wacken Open Air - Metal Battle feat. Hacride (France) and Cyanide Serenity (UK)

I haven't posted a review of anything yet, have I? despite me making blatant offerings of reviewing stuff. Well, today is a lucky day 'cuz I am gonna be reviewing a gig (yay!). A very special one, this gig, mainly because B69 had their first International Headliners and because I haven't been to a single gig for about 2 months now. What more could I ask for in order to break my hiatus from attending live gigs. Nothing.

So after a grueling 2 hr train ride from Mulund to Andheri. I finally reached B69 only to find out that Kohram and Elevation Dynamics had competed their sets. Being the major Prog Rock/Metal fan that I am, I felt sad that I had to miss ED. I've heard some of their samples on Reverbnation and they remind me of Spiral Architect in a way. Not to forget that distinct Carnatic/Middle Eastern influence in the guitars and vocals.

Moving on, Goddess Gagged was next. Currently they are a 5 piece band now. I've had the opportunity to catch the original line-up which had Arman on lead vocals and Ayan De on keys. Their sound then, was more mellow and smooth with the metal parts coming in the chorus. However, the new GG with Sid Basrur (ex-Kinky Sky Munky) on vocals has joined the latest Tech Metal/Djent bandwagon and they are definitely sounding more heavy from what I've heard in the previous encounter. I've been a big fan of their music since Day1 and I hope to catch them live again because obviously they have a lot more to offer. Their sheer talent earned them a spot in WOA-Metal Battle finals. I can only wish them good luck for the finals.

AbraXas from Pune were next and man, were they insane. They ripped through their entire set eventually getting an encore from the audience (they played the crowd favorite 'Sweet Suffering') . Props to Naman Sachdev for his precise and tight drumming. The tone from Negi and Joseph's 7 stringers caught everyone by the neck forcing a massive head banging session. A session that was enjoyed by everyone. Another well deserving band that earned a spot in the finals.

During my beer and smoking break, I met Gez from Cyanide Serenity. This fellow has no airs about himself and seemed to be very friendly. I had a nice time chatting on various issues regarding food, weather, music, etc.

After two flakes burnt up in smoke, it was time for the French juggernauts to take stage. Yes, it was time for Hacride to unleash some Prog Death they've been holding up for a long time. I am saying this because their gig in Goa was cancelled by yours truly - the cops. Anyway, It turned to be all good because the monsieurs from Poitiers destroyed the place and how? I tell you how. Being a learning drummer, obviously I was mesmerized by Mike "Batmike" Roponus's superbe drumming. Adrien Grousset on guitars was probably the best guitarist for the evening and Sam and Benoist played as if there were no stopping them. They had this stage presence which probably electrocuted most of us as everyone in the pit (including me) was stuck head banging. lol. They also got an encore and I think they played 'Pertubed' which was fucking A+. I definitely want them to come back and play more gigs in Mumbai preferably at B69 :D. Also, they are equally as nice as the guys in Cyanide Serenity and they happily posed for pictures with their newly formed Indian fan-base.

The clock struck 10:30 pm and it was finally time for Cyanide Serenity. These guys have a history with India. Dates back to Feb 2009 when they opened for Iron Maiden at Rock In India in Bangalore. These lads became instant favorites and ruled the mosh pit at that time. 2010 had them planning the 'Consuming India Tour' where they played at venues in Hyderabad, Bangalore and Mumbai (being the last leg). They too were supposed to play at IMC in Goa alongside Cynic, Hacride and DR which was unfortunately canned. Anyhow, back to the gig, their set-up being completed, they demanded people to crowd the front. I think now I should tell you that the turnout was pretty low despite two intl headliners (I was particularly worried about being denied entry to B69 as they bar people from getting in once it reaches max capacity). Their set however turned out to be brutal and gut kicking as Gez and Matt themselves took to mosh the fuck outta the audience. They started the mosh-party and body surfing to say the least. I found myself participating in the 'Wall of Death' albeit a small one ;) and on stage head-banging with the band on more than one occasion. Every one from Wyatt, Knight, Braddock, Dugmore, Jones and Mckay played to bring the place down and trust me those breakdowns pretty much did it. Their set ended with yet another encore along with enormous crowd support.

I couldn't stay late and take pictures with them as I had to get home. But they took a group photo from the stage with the whole crowd and I even got them to sign their setlist which I got as a souvenir. Brilliant (and completely worth all the money) gig this. I hope to see more of Hacride and Cyanide Serenity in the coming years..unless 2012 brings the end :P.

-CJs [♫ Hacride - Pertubed]

P.S. Some pics I took that evening.

Goddess Gagged



AbraXas


Hacride






Cyanide Serenity




Hacride with Fans and me

Who's your favorite musician?

make that "musicians": Frank Zappa, John Bonham, Buddy Rich,Trilok Gurtu, Ranjit Barot, Bernard "Purdie" Shaw, Vinnie Colauita,John McLaughlin, Ringo Starr, Neil Peart, Yngwie Malmsteen, Batio, Gavin Harrison, Danny Carey, Sean Reinert, Guthrie Govan, Gino Banks, Vishal J. Singh, Derek Roddy, Sean Malone, Paul Masvidal, Tosin Abasi, Maynard James Keenan, Cedric Bixler Zavala

Anything & Everything

Drumgasm!

If I had to describe today in one word it would be "Awesome" . However the awesome part only started half-way through the day (the remainder was utilized in practice and stupid-titties) i.e. The Crazy Stuff Clinic conducted by Gino Banks and Hamza 'icanplaybleed' Kazi. Now, if I had to describe this clinic in one word it would be "Madness". Modulation, Displacement, Odd-time Signatures, Polyrhythms. You name it.

A very clear explanation of Odd-time meters and Polyrhythms was given by Hamza (since that is his forte). Modulation and Displacement was explained by Mr. Banks and unfortunately it was too complex to be understood by a beginner/novice drummer such as myself. I did learn a few things though viz. Counting Odd-time signatures, Polyrhythms and Displacement to a small extent, So it's all good. The highlights of this clinic were the Hindi alt/prog rock band Coshish (who by the way are a bunch of crazy musicians including Hamzoid MUST.LISTEN.TO : Maya and the toolesque Mukti), two explosive drum solo's by Gino and my favorite part: The two dual drum solos by the ingenious drumming pair

Topics were demonstrated on two beautiful drumkits: Mapex Meridian Birch (Hamza's) and Tama Starclassic (Gino's) and their respective cymbal brands: Paiste (H) and Zildjian (G)

I was in drumming heaven *ihihihihihihi*

All this followed by a sumptuous meal (read: Beef Double Chilly Fry and Parathas) at Cafe Wellington. Whattey nice day I had. :D

Thank you Gino Banks, Hamza Kazi and Furtados for this crazy clinic

I'll be gone now. Toodles!

-CJs [♫ Miles Davis - Flamenco Sketches (alternate take)]

P.S. Gino's first solo gave me a mild headache due to his sheer awesomeness. It also kicked my brains outta my fucking head! The Dual Drum solo then, kicked it back in place :P

P.P.S. Laments of an Icarus and Bleism (Bleed + Schism) as demonstrated by Kazi bhai were also awesome (:

By the Gods!

Hello blog!

today was good..well I didn't do much except for practicing my rudiments and grooves..and play God of War on god mode..which is why it was good..by the way..the clone war stage is getting on my fucking nerves..stuck on this level for a month..maybe I have to practice more..hmmm..maybe..

as of now I am searching for details regarding the bus routes in Bangalore..I might be going to bangalore for the gig on 5th December called The Deccan Rock Festival at Palace Grounds (Bangalore)..featuring Amon Amarth from Sweden and Textures from Netherlands..what can I say about Amon Amarth..Viking legends of Melodic Death Metal..and although I've recently got into listening to the Technical/Prog metal Dutch band..I must say Stef Broks..is a mo'fucking genius..If Stef Broks plays out of time..by god..the world will come to an end..2012 can go take a hike! :P

^^Stef Broks!

So I am gonna continue my research and..you can go back to doing whatever the hell you've been doing

Tata!

-CJs (♫ Textures - Awake)