11 Indian Metal Acts You Need to See Live

In the world of metal in India, there’s been a sea change in terms of which bands are active, semi-active and just waiting to be coaxed out of retirement. That said, our list of must-see metal bands from the country is only a snapshot of the artists who are presently active.  

You may not see the likes of post-hardcore band Scribe on the list, even though they’re one of the most fun heavy acts in India, simply because we just haven’t heard a peep from them in ages. While pummelling erstwhile acts like Infernal Wrath, Primitiv and Pangea would have certainly warranted inclusion, we’ve considered bands new and old, even the ones who may not have changed their setlist in a while, but still manage to bring their A-game every time to decimate stages.  

Bloodywood  

Originally a YouTube channel, New Delhi’s Bloodywood has now grown into a globally renowned force taking over some of the biggest stages in the world – from Fuji Rock in Japan to Wacken Open Air in Germany and in 2023, U.K.’s Download Fest. With vocalists Jayant Bhadula and Raoul Kerr at the center and guitarist/flautist/producer Karan Katiyar’s riffs driving their style of folk-metal, there’s also dhol by Sarthak Pahwa, drums by Vishesh Singh and bass by Roshan Roy to power Bloodywood into a seamless wrecking ball for music with a message.  

Zygnema  

Mumbai thrash-groove metallers Zygnema emerged and steadied at a time when the city (and the country) needed a band that was no bullshit and all rage. From Sidharth Kadadi’s monstrous riffs to vocalist Jimmy Bhore’s raw vocals and drummer Mayank Sharma’s dexterous work and bassist Leon Quadros holding down the grooves, Zygnema have always been the clenched-fist raising, moshpit-starting faithful in India and that’s unlikely to change.  

The Down Troddence  

Kannur-bred, Bengaluru-based The Down Troddence took folklore from their hometown of Kerala and paired it with socio-political takedowns. If that wasn’t enough, the all-black clad band’s frontman Munz shows up with face-paint and an intent to shake up every mind in the crowd, as the band journeys through modern thrash, groove metal and stankface-inducing breakdowns.  

Maneating Orchid  

Returning to their original name after ‘Orchid‘ was perhaps a little too commonplace even within the heavy music world, but Bengaluru’s Maneating Orchid have a mystique to them that they successfully exploit at each show. Where there were more progressive/ambient passages before, their work soon dove squarely into math-metal and mathcore territory, making for a chaotic, unpredictable aural assault that few bands can charge into at their live shows.  

Gutslit  

Mumbai’s brutal death-metal favorites Gutslit have steadily built a reputation as the go-to party starters (somehow) in Indian extreme music. From party poppers to ice foam sprays and the manic antics of bassist Gurdip Singh Narang and vocalist Aditya Barve, it’s all set to the ridiculously cut-throat death metal held down by blastbeat monster Aaron Pinto and current touring guitarist Ishwar Hariharan.  

Konflicts  

Gangtok act Konflicts have ramped up everything from grindcore to noise, hardcore punk and metal in their music and their run of shows in 2022 showcased a powerful intent to discomfort, question and dismantle all traditions of performance. There’s a horrifically unfiltered intent with albums like Antya Ko Shuruwaat and their debut EP Bedlam, and when paired with peers like False Flag, Pacifist and Death By Fungi, it’s safe to say that India’s punk and hardcore scene is kicking and screaming in all the right ways.  

Inner Sanctum  

Bengaluru thrash-death metal band Inner Sanctum carry unavoidable comparisons to the likes of French metal leaders Gojira, but there’s a lot more bubbling beneath the surface. Although they’ve only been releasing singles since launching their debut album Legions Awake in 2015, Inner Sanctum is one of those bands who never flounder. Songs like “March of the Wounded” and “Divided By Hate” wreak havoc from the get-go, which makes for an arresting, intense live experience each time.  

Girish and the Chronicles  

Hailing from Sikkim and based in Bengaluru, Girish And The Chronicles slowly (and deservedly) gained global acclaim thanks to their unwavering dedication to hard rock and heavy metal. On the side, vocalist-guitarist Girish Pradhan may have earned accolades for his prowess to cover greats like Rob Halford from Judas Priest, Axl Rose from Guns ‘N Roses and Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant, but Girish and The Chronicles have proven to be a powerhouse band performing their own songs as well, taking listeners on a headbang-worthy journey that’s part nostalgic and part modern.  

Bhayanak Maut  

Comprising old-hand metallers from Mumbai – guitarists Aditya Gopinathan Nair, R. Venkatraman, drummer Rahul Hariharan, vocalist Aman Virdi (from Pune metal act Noiseware) and bassist Ishaan Krishna – Bhayanak Maut may have seen a few changes over the years but it never shook their resolve to bring a destructive live set each time. While the gigs have been fewer than we’d like, a big stage or a club setting is just as explosive with Bhayanak Maut on stage, armed with twisted, black humor-heavy lyrics, fist-tight grooves and arena-ready riffs.  

Godless  

Emerging out of Hyderabad originally as a studio project founded by bassist, guitarist and songwriter Abbas Razvi following the dissolution of metal act Skrypt, Godless quickly found their feet and went on to become just the kind of death metal act who can deliver a pulverizing set. And they’ve been doing just that, both in India and so far in Europe, with Razvi being ever the entrepreneurial mind behind putting together a touring network that ensures Godless’s buzzsaw, breakneck thrash-death combo (with a few influences from grind) earns them a hardcore following all over.  

Chaos 

Thiruvananthapuram thrash metal might be a mouthful to pronounce, but we don’t mind. Chaos have steadily risen from being a straight-up thrash metal act to incorporating more modern elements and of course, thrash-groove in the vein of heroes like Pantera. Production flourishes have come via producer Keshav Dhar (from prog act Skyharbor) at times, and it all adds to a rowdy set each time, all pulled together by the quartet that currently comprises vocalist Jaaga aka Jayakrishnan S., guitarist Nikhil “Wartooth” N.R., drummer Manu Krishnan and bassist Milind Yohann.