Bengaluru Gig Series Spectral Decay Bring DIY Metal to the Front

The do-it-yourself ethos of metal is alive and well in Bengaluru, with the new gig series Spectral Decay kicking off on May 8th in the city. 

The gig is set to champion underground metal, which has at best enjoyed sporadic showcase events even before the pandemic played havoc with live performances. Thrash metal bands such as Amorphia from Kerala and Piston from Bengaluru join Chennai death metal act Moral Putrefaction and goregrind band Festered Wound are on the billing for the first edition of Spectral Decay, which organizers say will take place once every two months. 

At the center of putting together the show are vocalist Kaushal L.S. [from death-thrash band Godless and Maneating Orchid] and promoter DSimon Santiago, who has previously helmed metal gig series Vehement Era in Bengaluru. “We’ve been ruminating on the idea individually for a while, but it really materialized over some drinks with a couple of our good friends (Anoop Bhat & Charles Rozario) a couple of months ago,” Kaushal says.

The drive and initiative for Spectral Decay come from the DIY itch that Kaushal and Santiago are scratching at. It’s the lifeline of heavy music, says the vocalist. “The DIY aspect has always been prevalent when it comes to heavy bands in India and abroad. You don’t commonly see this celebrity culture that sort of exists in other genres that seem to have these ‘artists’ with mountain-sized egos and a shit ton of promoters looking for the next cash grab disguised as a subculture. I find it fucking sickening. What drives us is purely our love for extreme music,” he adds. His co-founder Santiago does add that they have got a “working model” that will ensure bands make money too. 

The bands were picked based on those who haven’t played in the city in a while. Kaushal admits the list is a long one, given the pandemic. Santiago adds how Kaushal sent him a calendar with bands for every month for the next six months. “It was unfortunately my opinion that we need to slow it down and figure. It’s obvious that we will support bands that bring in passion and the force that we think suits our brand,” he says. 

Currently Bengaluru-focused, Spectral Decay already has a second edition in the works. Santiago says, “Bangalore is HeadBangalore, so yes, this is our HQ. We will, hopefully, get things started in the near future.” 

Spectral Decay ft Amorphia, Piston, Moral Putrefaction and Festered Wound takes place on May 8th at Fandom at Gilly’s Redefined, Bengaluru. Tickets: Rs 550 (buy here) and Rs 699 at the gate.