By Nawaz Yasin Islam
SHILLONG: Following the success of Rebel County 2011, the second season hit the city on Saturday with a rebellious initiative to create an environmental awareness through music that can rightfully be labeled as ‘epic nuclear’!
40,000 watts of relentless metal can be the best way to spread awareness in a city known for its metal fanatics and rock worshippers and can be a perfect platform here to stress on the need for walking in lieu of vehicles in an area strangled by traffic congestion. Hence the event tag line, Fat for Fuel could not have been more apt.
This is the second time that the city saw a gig to raise environmental awareness – last year, Jason Manners of Rockski Group organized Rebel County that was headlined by Delhi metal stalwarts Undying Inc.
The responsible messengers along with their weapons ripped through the crowd with their assault of raw and relentless metal that took the moon out of the sky and left it bleeding.
Heralding warfare in the right manner was Dead Calm Chaos, a melodic death metal outfit from Shillong. Brutality and technicality mashed in the right ratios and powerful vocals of Baribor set the standards to be followed for the night.
No non-sense play was the highlight of Aberrant, winners of ‘Meghalaya Icon III’, who led a massive head-banging session with some electrifying stage antics of their vocalist Ryngkat. Tight riffs and clean drumming accompanied by some ‘atrocious vocals’ was well accepted by every ‘believer’ in the mosh pit.
As Ryngkat puts it, “We are here only for the crowd who believes in the true spirit of metal.”
Chronic Xorn, was an unexpected disaster half way with the music system going against them. Much was anticipated from this Kolkata group whose name characterizes the negative side of human emotions which is seldom portrayed by many.
After one track, they made way for Plague Throat, another Shillong based Grindcore/Death metal-revival flag bearers. Gut wrenching vocals and a terrific showdown gripped the audience with a fury rarely seen.
The five finger death punch came at the end with Danish deathsters Dawn Of Demise who bludgeoned their way out of the backstage on the strength of their lightning fast riffs and primal concrete sledge rhythm section which was always tempered by a strong melody line and a groove that allowed the foot to tap and a wicked grin to escape.
The ferocious line up of Scott, Martin, Bjorn, Thomas and Simon left the crowd reeling for more. They showed Shillong how raw music should be played and best remembered.
The rebellious message was clear and meaningful. The attack of music and furious growls showed a visible brotherhood that can be the cure for a city that needs a straightforward ‘awareness’ lesson.