Backed by GODIA and Avekn, Chennai-based metal act The Moral Putrefaction is set to headline in this year’s brutal massacre
Backed by GODIA and Avekn, Chennai-based metal act The Moral Putrefaction is set to headline in this year’s brutal massacre
The pandemic silenced his schedule for two years, but it didn’t stop his talent flight. In August, Chennai-based metal act The Moral Putrefaction became the first band in Tamil Nadu to play on the same stage as Judas Priest and Slipknot, performing at a packed venue at the Wacken Open Air (WOA) in Germany.
Back home, the four-member band is set to end a two-year drought of live metal shows in the city as it heads into the sixth edition of Brutal Massacre, also featuring performances by GODIA and Avekn. Armaan RM, one of the co-founders of Brutal Carnage, says the theme of this edition of the metal show is ‘Homecoming’. “It marked several milestones in Chennai’s metal scene: the return of live metal music to the city after two years, The Moral Putrafaction’s big win at Weaken Metal Battle India, GODIA’s first full-length album (in October). out) and Avakan’s first performance of his EP,” says Armaan.
test their ability
Manu Krishnan and Armaan started Metal Chennai in 2018 to provide a platform to independent acts in Chennai, and Srikanth Natarajan joined them in 2019. “We chose three local bands because they’ve done great feats and reached big milestones on the metal circuit,” he says. desires.
The Moral Putrefaction is an ‘old school death metal’ band formed in 2015, which draws influences from Bloodbath, Emolation, Morbid Angel, Cannibal Corpse and Keras. It released its first demo, scum of the earth, in April 2019 and is now working on an album to be released later this year. “Our songs focus on decay in Indian society. The album consists of six songs, which explore the themes of bigotry, hatred, religion and God,” says lead guitarist-singer Shiva Murthy.
In comparison, Chennai’s headbanger community is small. “Metal is a lot more mainstream in Germany. There is a lot more infrastructure and there are more shows,” says Siva.
The moral perversions include Shiva, Hemant Vinod, Beato Zerin and Nitin Peter.
new beginning
GODIA, a progressive metalcore band formed in the Madras Christian College in 2014, is about to release its debut album, end of ages, on 14 October. A concept album produced by Texas-based label Rottweiler Records, the tracks portray the story of Earth’s final seven years before Bible Judgment Day. Inspired by metalcore bands such as August Burns Red, As I Lay Dying and Bring Me the Horizon, Godia explores themes of depression and betrayal.
Optimistic about metal music in India, given the recent success of the band Bloodywood, the band’s lead guitarist Isaiah Anderson says, “Bloodywood, Gutslit, Kryptos, Amorphia, Project Misram are touring internationally. The fans are more inclined towards old school metal and this is also one of the reasons why bands are hesitant to experiment.”
The four-member GODIA features Nehemiah Johnson on vocals, Tom Gabriel on drums and Josh Allen on bass.
The two-member Awake is a female-fronted metal band featured on the Spotify-curated playlist, ‘Metal in India’. Produced by Keshav (guitar) and Anusha Rema (vocals) in 2019, the alternative metal outfit released their debut EP, ‘Rude Awakening’, in 2021. Its members are now working on their debut album. “We focus on melody and riffs in our songwriting, where the mix between growls and clean vocals takes a sweet spot,” says Anusha. Nikhil Rajkumar is their session drummer for live performances and the new album.
After the pandemic, Anusha feels the metal scene in India has grown exponentially. “There have been many underground metal shows. In addition, The Moral Putrefaction put Chennai’s metal scene on the international map.
Brutal Massacre being held on Saturday, 6 pm at Gears & Garage Restobar, Chennai, A mandatory cover charge of ₹300 is payable at the gate.