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Dark Desolation featured on Metal Hammer compilation CD

Bangalore based (face-painted) black metal band Dark Desolation have their new single titled ‘Futile Dogma’ featured on the latest Metal Hammer UK compilation CD along with artists like Sepultura, Decapitated, Trivium and many others. The band says “We are extremely delighted to be featured alongside the bands we have grown up listening to. And now having our song featured alongside them is like a dream come true and the best feeling ever!” Well, good going fellas! James Gill, Editor at Large from Metal Hammer had this to say- “Jonathan Selzer our reviews editor turned me onto the band. They clearly had something dark and ferocious going on – combined with a sense of individuality – great stuff. I hope the guys get some great exposure from being on the CD – they deserve it!” The CD has been released with the August issue of Metal Hammer. Find the Official Announcement of the CD here.

Textures unleash new single “Singularity”

Dutch metallers Textures, after quite a long wait, have finally come out with a brand new single titled “Singularity”. This single features a slightly altered line-up, i.e. Daniël de Jongh on Vocals, Bart Hennephof on Guitars, Jochem Jacobs on Guitars, Stef Broks on the Drums, Remko Tielemans on Bass and Uri Dijk on Synths. “Singularity” starts off with a bang, quickly progressing into a familiar Textures pattern- very trademark mad Djenty riffing and pitch changes. Daniel’s (ex-Cilice) vocals are not too similar to Eric’s, but aren’t that different making it difficult to digest either. Filling in a vocalist’s shoes is always the most difficult, and there couldn’t have been a better choice than Daniel for this. From the growls to vocals, he nails it all. In short, Textures is back, sounding groovier, heavier and slicker than before! It seems like they’re ready to conquer 2011 with the new album! Check out the new single on the official Textures Facebook page. “Singularity” is the first single off their upcoming fourth album ‘Dualism’ which will be released via Nuclear Blast Records. The band supposedly took control of every aspect of the album. Everything was recorded at Split Second Sound, the new Amsterdam-based studio belonging to Jacobs, who produced the album. The band also handled all their own artwork and merchandising, which was designed by bassist Remko Tielemans.

Gig Alert: Unseen Underground Pub Fest

Unseen Underground Pub Fest is back to Star Rock after two years, travelling across many cities in the country. This rocking Sunday evening set of gigs will feature best talents in metal and rock under the same roof every first and third Sunday of the month at Star Rock. 4948

Skrypt get new guitarist and sign on to US label

SkryptSkrypt’s founding member and lead guitarist Ramya Rao recently moved to the US and had to quit the band. Replacing her is Joel (ex-Wreckage). Joel has already been a part of the band before so the chemistry is just right and he’s been getting up to speed and working with the band on a lot of new material. In other news, Skrypt has just been signed to the US based label Dark Harvest Records. The label has been expanding quite significantly over the past couple of years and has taken over a couple of other well known labels from around the country. Join the official Dark Harvest page here. Finally, Skrypt is hitting the stage in Hyderabad after a very long break. This will be their first gig with the new lineup so you dont want to miss this one. Also playing are the Bangalore band Eccentric Pendulum. This will be their last gig in the country before leaving to play at Wacken, so lets give them a big sendoff. RSVP to the gig here.

Toto Funds the Arts: Awards for 2012

TFA invites submissions for its 8th annual arts awards for young photographers, writers, musicians and bands. There are six awards to be won – one for music (Rs 50,000), two for photography (Rs 25,000 each), two for creative writing in English (Rs 25,000 each), and one for creative writing in Kannada (Rs 25,000). All submissions must be original and must be received before 10 September 2011 . Young Indian nationals between the ages of 18 and 29 are eligible to apply. Music (What we’re most interested in): Toto’s first love and TFA’s first award recognises exceptionally talented bands and individuals making any kind of music, in any language, from rock to folk or metal to jazz. The only constraint is that applicants must be under 30 years of age, and their submissions must be original compositions. In 2008, TFA tied up with Counter Culture Records, and winners of the TFA Music Award now get the unique opportunity to record a full album at the CCR studio, which will then be released by this independent music label. Myndsnare (2005) Demonic Resurrection (2006) Lounge Piranha (2007) Shefali Alvares (2008) All TFA awards are judged by external juries composed of leading practitioners of and experts in the particular arts. All submissions are sent to them anonymously, and TFA does not, in any way, influence their final decision. So far, the Music Award has been judged by Luke Kenny (VJ, Programming Head Channel V), Vishal Dadlani (Pentagram, Vishal-Shekhar), Jitin Abraham (Programming Head Vh1) and Arjun Sankalia (Sony BMG). Add rest of names. Overall the juries have agreed that it is “good to see so much talent. The number of entries was astounding and most of them were of a very high quality. We now have a serious talent bank that can be tapped in the future.” [TFA Music Award Jury, 2007] For details, log on to the official website. TOTO FUNDS THE ARTS H-301, Adarsh Gardens 47th Cross, 8th Block Jayanagar Bangalore – 560 082 Phone: 080 26990549/098806 23357 For further queries please email totofundsthearts@yahoo.com or tfaindia@yahoo.com. No queries will be answered on phone.

Rajeev leaves Inner Sanctum

Long time rhythm guitarist of Bangalore based Inner Sanctum Rajeev has quit the band. Said the band “Most of you’ll would have heard by now that Rajeev Ramesh has decided to part ways with us and pursue his higher studies in Germany. Inner Sanctum just wont be the same without him! However the Inner Sanctum ship has to continue sailing and we need to find someone who can fill in the boots that he has left behind.” Rajeev, who was an ex member of Inviktus joined Sanctum in early 2009 and has been a vital part of them ever since. Here’s from the band’s Facebook note:
As most of you may already know Rajeev Ramesh will be leaving India to pursue his higher studies in Germany. Rajeev was with Inner Sanctum since 2009 and in a way shaped what Sanctum is today. The band has had its strongest lineup till date and his departure is a great loss to the band. Rajeev had this to say to Sanctum fans “Inevitably, there comes a point in life where one has to say Goodbye. At this point in time, I need to focus on my career and in this direction, I would be travelling to pursue my studies at Germany. I’ve had some of the best times performing for almost 3 years with Sanctum. We’ve made some mind blowing music, done of whole lot of crazy gigging, traveled a bunch of cities and made a bunch of friends along the way. These are memories that I will always cherish. Over the years, Bas, Bobbins, Chintan and Mikel have become some of my closest friends and together, we really learnt what it means to work as a team. I’m sure Inner Sanctum will continue to tear down every stage they set foot on and I wish the new lineup all the best !! I look forward to meeting up with the guys and jamming up with em’ somewhere down the line” Rajeev’s signature style and fresh outlook on live shows will surely be missed. We wish Rajeev all the success for the future with loads of beer and German groupies.

Unseen Underground- Saturday Night Live IV

Unseen Underground continues its tradition of keeping the music alive in Chennai and presents ‘Saturday Night Live IV’ this 16th of July. Details below… Unseen Underground presents Saturday Night Live-IV- The best way to unwind with live rock music. Enjoy an evening of live bands playing different kinds of music from Acoustic Funk blues, Classic Rock to Extreme Metal. Featuring bands: Jack, Johnnie and the Old Monk ( Folk/Blues Rock band-Chennai ) White Lady ( Classic Rock band-Chennai ) Djinns Lament (Progressive Death Metal band- Chennai) Venue:  Geoffrey’s Pub, Radha Regent Hotel, Date: 16th July 2011 ( Saturday) Time: 7.30pm till 11pm For more details log on to the official Unseen Underground website. RSVP to the event on Facebook. E-mail: info@unseenunderground.com or send an sms to +91 7299307251 For directions to the venue, call 044-66778899

Demonic Resurrection cancels much awaited U.K. tour

Demonic ResurrectionIndian metal band Demonic Resurrection has cancelled their first UK tour including their performance at the Sonisphere Festival which was held over the weekend at Knebworth. The band was not issued Visas to the UK in time and were therefore unable to make it for the festival and subsequently the rest of the tour leaving them no option but to cancel. As they’ve said, it all feels like a “bad dream” not only for the band, but also for the rest of the fans in India and abroad. “We are extremely gutted about this and it feels like a very bad dream at this moment. We want to apologise to our fans who came to Sonisphere to see us or who booked tickets for the other shows, unforunately it was out of our hands. We spent a small fortune to pay for our visas, tour merch and other documents but more than the money it kills us that we couldn’t play for our fans in the UK. ” said the band in an official statement released via their Facebook page. Read the complete statement here. Demonic Resurrection was scheduled to play on the 10th at Sonisphere on the Jagermeister Stage and follow that with dates at The Well (Leeds), The Underworld (London), Riverside (Selby) and Waterfront (Norwich). The tour was booked by Northern Music and Mixtape.