By Aniruddh ‘Andrew’ Bansal
Host to an increasingly constant stream of international touring acts as well as the cream of the crop in terms of local and national talent, Bangalore, India, prides itself on a rich history in heavy metal. Following a successful third annual edition of Bangalore Open Air and a slew of other well-received events, the city is now all set for ‘Dark Days Of December’, this coming Saturday December 13th at No Limmits Lounge & Club. Organized, curated and promoted by local metal congregation Bangalore Doom Syndicate, the gig brings together five of the best hometown bands along with two special guests from the beyond.
The power-packed lineup is headed by old-school metal veterans Kryptos, one of the longest surviving Indian bands with a career that’s already spanned 15 years, now signed to German label AFM Records and touring prolifically in Europe on a regular basis. Sharing the stage with them will be French underground trio Manzer, ready to obliterate Bangalore with their Venom-esque black thrash. Besides, Dying Embrace will enchant the gathering with their spells of vintage doom, presenting material from their recently released one-of-a-kind split album with Pakistan’s Dusk. As if this three-pronged onslaught of diverse forces wasn’t epic enough, the concert will also feature stoner quintet Bevar Sea. Fresh off the studio after completing the recording process for their sophomore album and simultaneously gearing up for a massive year ahead with an impending US appearance at Maryland Death Fest among other things, Bevar Sea will bring forth their typically chilled-out yet mind-blowing jams to the table.
And to add further to the intensity and diversity of the event, local death metal band Dhwesha and doom outfit Witchdoctor round out the lineup, along with Sri Lankan black metal group Dhishti joining the party as well.
The festivities will begin at 4 PM on Saturday, and will cost Rs. 900 at the door, inclusive of a pint of beer. For Bangalorites reading this website, attendance at this event is an absolute no-brainer, and for folks elsewhere around the planet, it’s worthwhile giving these fantastic bands a listen or two.