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By Aniruddh ‘Andrew’ Bansal

Bangalore-based blackened thrash metal quintet Witchgoat started out early last year, and even though they played their first ever gig in Chennai last year, their ‘real’ debut gig is at this year’s Trendslaughter Fest, set to take place next Sunday at the No Limits Pub in their hometown, alongside Singapore’s Blood Division and Indian bands Dying Embrace, Shepherd, Necrodeity and Solar Deity. Here’s a completely tongue-in-cheek interview I did with them. This is a kind of interview I’ve never done before, so horns up to Witchgoat for giving me something different. I hope you enjoy reading it, and if you dare, check them out on their facebook and twitter. If you’re in India, visit Trendslaughter Fest’s facebook landing page to book your tickets and get all the information you need about the festival. Continue reading “A Twisted Interview With Witchgoat”

By Aniruddh ‘Andrew’ Bansal

Indian doom legends Dying Embrace have been around for more than 20 years, and after having disbanded mid-way, they reformed in 2011 with some new members and resumed their carnage on stage. They started playing a few shows in and around Bangalore, and that led to their participation in last year’s Bangalore Open Air festival where they opened for the mighty Kreator. Now, they are getting ready to devastate yet another audience, this time at Trendslaughter Fest III, set to take place at the No Limits Pub in Bangalore on February 10th. They will co-headline with Singapore’s Blood Division and will be supported by Indian bands Shepherd, Witchgoat, Necrodeity and Solar Deity. They will also be releasing the ‘Era Of Tribulation’ compilation album at the show. It encompasses four rare and coveted releases put out by the band in the past, ‘Misanthrope’, ‘Grotesque’, ‘Serenades Of Depravity’ and ‘Dying Embrace’. I had the good fortune of catching up with vocalist Vikram Bhat to talk about this gig, the album release, and lots more. Read the conversation below, and visit Dying Embrace on facebook. If you’re in India, visit Trendslaughter Fest’s facebook landing page to book your tickets and get all the information you need about the festival. Continue reading “In-depth Interview With Dying Embrace Vocalist Vikram Bhat”

By Andrew Bansal

Veteran photographer Bill Hale is known for his Metallica photo book ‘Metallica: The Club Dayz 1982-84’, which featured vicious on-stage and candid behind-the-scenes shots of the formative years of Metallica, including their gigs with Dave Mustaine, Cliff Burton and Ron McGovney. He followed up that amazing book with a Megadeth-specific photo book titled ‘Megadeth: Another Time, A Different Place’ which successfully spotlights the early years of Megadeth. Bill’s photos have also been used in Dave Mustaine’s autobiography, and through his next set of planned book releases, Bill looks all set to continue bringing forth these treasures from the past. Earlier today, I spoke to him about all of these things. Listen to the 15-minute chat below, check out the Megadeth book on Amazon, and follow Bill Hale on his facebook and twitter for the latest updates. Continue reading “Photographer Bill Hale Talks About Megadeth Photo Book, Early Days & Future Plans (Audio)”

By Aniruddh ‘Andrew’ Bansal

Within a span of one year, Mumbai-based black metal band Solar Deity have unleashed three crushing sets of studio recordings, the ‘In The Name Of Satan’ and ‘The Darkness Of Being’ albums, and the DSBM single ‘Snowless’. Till now the band was a mysterious entity that would make you imagine the dark landscapes they paint with their music and lyrics, but finally, they are getting ready for their first ever live ritual at this year’s Trendslaughter Fest at the No Limits Pub in Bangalore on February 10th, alongside Singapore’s Blood Division and India’s Dying Embrace, Shepherd, Witchgoat and Necrodeity. I caught up with mainman Aditya Mehta to discuss this upcoming show, amongst various other things. Read this candid, no-holds-barred conversation below, check out the band on their facebook, twitter, and on Aditya Mehta’s blog, and visit Trendslaughter Fest’s facebook landing page to book your tickets and get all the information you need about the festival.  Continue reading “A Candid Conversation With Solar Deity Mainman Aditya Mehta”

By Andrew Bansal

Legends of the original New Wave Of British Heavy Metal Movement of the late 1970s, Tygers Of Pan Tang are still making new music and playing shows, led by guitarist Robb Weir, who has carried the band forward singlehandedly despite all of the lineup changes. The band put out a new album called ‘Ambush’ late last year, an album that continues to present to listeners the essence of the Tygers sound and the NWOBHM style and showcases some solid songwriting from Robb Weir and co. Earlier tonight, I had the pleasure of speaking to Robb over a Skype connection, and we had a long chat about all things Tygers, ranging from the new album to the early days and everything in between, including a couple of cool stories that Robb was kind to share. Listen to the 35-minute conversation below, and visit the band on the web using the following links: Continue reading “In-depth Interview With Tygers Of Pan Tang Guitarist Robb Weir (Audio)”

By Andrew Bansal

Swedish old-school heavy metal band Enforcer look set to take our world by storm with their new release ‘Death By Fire’, coming out today February 1st in Europe and on March 5th in North America. Their third studio album, following up the 2008 release ‘Into The Night’ and 2010’s ‘Diamonds’, this will be their first release through perennial old-school metal supporters Nuclear Blast Records, having signed to the label a couple of months ago. As soon as I started listening to the album a few days ago, I knew this is quite a special offering that would go down extremely well amongst true heavy metal fans all over the world. Immediately, I contacted the label to set up an interview with guitarist/vocalist Olof Wikstrand, and had a detailed conversation with him earlier today. Read it below, and visit the band on the web using the links at the bottom of this page, for tour dates, album order info and more. Continue reading “In-depth Interview With Enforcer Frontman Olof Wikstrand”