Albatross To Open Bangalore Open Air

Mumbai horror metal band Albatross will play the opening slot at Bangalore Open Air on June 16th. The festival, which will be headlined by German thrash metal band Kreator and Suidakra, will also feature Indian bands BevarSea, 1833 AD, Dying Embrace, Eccentric Pendulum and Krytpos alongside Albatross. The festival has had a tumultuous month as erstwhile headliners Iced Earth backed out citing visa issues and the venue moved to the Acharya Institute of Technology grounds after a government ban on live events at Bangalore Palace Grounds. 

Founding member and bassist Riju Dasgupta is looking forward to taking his stage moniker, Dr Hex and his accomplices on the Ronnie James Dio stage this weekend. . “It is the only old-school only metal festival. It’s about celebrating the metal brotherhood and we are excited to be a part of it,” says Dasgupta.

The Wacken Metal Battle will open proceedings at the show, after which Albatross will kick-start the performances with their noontime set at B.O.A. “I will have to over-clothe myself to keep the sun at bay. I don’t think I can be skimpily clad. Dr Hex has to be brutally dressed,” says Dasgupta. 

The band has a 40-minute set where they plan to perform, “practically all our six songs,” smirks Dasgupta. The band will also be doing a Dio cover as a tribute to the late metal legend. “It only makes sense to honor the legend. Besides I have always wanted to do a Dio cover on stage,” says Dasgupta.