Metal is one of the universal languages of humanity, so it's hardly surprising to find that in India, a nation that 1.4 billion human beings call home, a lot of people are speaking that brutal but beautiful musical language. While it might not get as much attention in traditional media as other burgeoning metal scenes on the planet, India is home to one of the most unique, innovative and rapidly emerging scenes in the world. Following the release of the latest track from rising New Dehli dynamo's Bloodywood Dana Dan, we were inspired to take a deep dive into the Indian metal scene and bring you a bit of an introductory guide that you can use to start your own exploration of one of the most sonically diverse metal scenes on earth. From trailblazing veterans finally being given their due through to upstarts smashing through traditional glass ceilings, these are five Indian metal bands you should be listening to right now.
Five Indian Metal Bands You Should Be Listening To Right Now
Bloodywood (New Dehli, Indian Folk Metal)
The modern act most responsible for putting the mainstream metal world's eyes on the Indian metal scene, self-described Indian folk metallers Bloodywood just dropped their debut album Rakshak. Home to viral singles Gadaar, Aaj and Dana Dan Rakshak is a genuine album of the year contender that makes good on the considerable hype around the band. Featuring a blend of traditional, nu, extreme and death metal, infused with elements of traditional Indian folk music, Rakshak offers an exciting sonic tapestry that is unlike anything we've heard before, all providing a backdrop to politically and socially progressive lyrics that seek to bring change to their homeland. Watch the video for the ferocious Dana Dan a track described by the band as "a graphic commentary on sexual assault and the need to eliminate it. It begins with the reflexive, almost homicidal rage we feel when we hear about these crimes, before moving on to a more level headed call to arms. It culminates in a gentle appeal for all of us to reflect on the role we play in creating a world where atrocities of this nature are committed and to work towards eliminating it altogether".
Demonic Resurrection (Mumbai, blackened death metal)
The current health of the Indian metal scene can be attributed largely to the efforts of trailblazer Sahil ‘The Demonstealer’ Makhija. The creative force behind boundary-breaking symphonic/blackened death metallers, Demonic Resurrection. Formed way back in 2000, Demonic Resurrection's inspired brand of blackened death has evolved over their four full-length records, with their global profile growing with every release. Name dropped by every other band in the scene as a formative influence, Demonic Resurrection have torn it up across the globe and played festivals around Europe and the UK including Wacken, Sonisphere, Inferno Metal Festival, Metaldays, Brutal Assault and Bloodstock Open air. Having just dropped a new single, The Eye Of Eternity, there's never been a better time for the metal world to pay them their dues. Watch the lyric video below.
Gutslit (Mumbai, Death metal)
Active for over a decade, Mumbai death metallers Gutslit are a LOT to take in for the uninitiated. As brutal and punishing as any death metal band worth their salt on this planet, Gutslit's recorded discography is a confronting listen in the best possible ways, cultivating both brutality and eerie darkness. The quartet display cut-throat musical precision and blistering speeds meshed with songwriting that would make Cannibal Corpse smile. Gutlsit's extreme take on the genre has seen them obliterate stages across the globe. Dive in via the animated video for their track From One Ear To Another below.
Kryptos (Bangalore, traditional/thrash metal)
One of the longest-tenured metal bands in India, Bangalore's traditional/trash metallers Kryptos have been dealing out bangers since 1998, with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Described as the ultimate sound of denim and leather, Kryptos have brought traditional heavy metal and '80s attitudes to stages the world over including Wacken Open Air, and have released six critically acclaimed records, helping to inspire the new generation of Indian metalheads currently taking the world by storm. Watch the video for 2021's Force Of Danger below and pay your respects to the scene elders.
Godless (Hyderabad, death metal/deathcore)
Hyderabad's Godless bring an unapologetic commitment to pure, unadulterated, lightning-fast, ear-shredding, thrash-influenced death metal. Godless' drive has seen them release two EP's and several singles and embark on a tireless touring schedule that saw them support Behemoth, Psycroptic, Suffocation and Abbath during their tours of India and land themselves a slot at Wacken Open Air in 2018. Blast their recent single Netherworld below.
Listen to our Metal Maniacs playlist featuring the best new metal tracks including Dana Dan below.
