Arunachal Metal Band Bleak Launch Pulverizing Debut EP

Among the newer bands on the block from the North East, Arunachal metal act Bleak launch their debut self-titled EP on July 20, bringing death metal with “any suitable style mixed on top,” according to bassist and producer Subu Nomo.

Formed in September 2023, the band comprises Nomo, guitarist Tana Doni (a regular gig promoter with Mio Event Management and fronting death metal band Sacred Secrecy), drummer Tasam Gollo and vocalist Techi Doi. Doni recounts that the reason for starting Bleak was to scratch an itch that his previous projects didn’t reach. “When my former band(s) got to a standstill, we got together to start this project to keep the metal scene alive and thriving,” Doni says.

Thematically and sonically, there’s an incisive edge to the three-track EP, which starts off all ominous with “Ov Eternal Faller” before bringing the hammer down. “Erased Out Of Existence” breaks out at a blistering speed that puts Bleak in a polished death metal space, but there are more melodic elements in the mix as well. The EP closes with the deathcore-informed “W.O.S.,” which means Bleak are giving something for every death metal fan across movements. “As far as the EP goes, we have focused our songwriting on the corruption of the human conscience, an open, yet often, a hypocritical secret,” Nomo adds.

Drummer Gollo is understandably hyped about the launch gig on July 20 at Club Ampire in Itanagar, where he says they’ll be playing the EP, a few more of their songs and a tribute to Arunachal’s loved extreme metal band, the erstwhile Alien Gods. “And yes, there will be merch,” he adds.

Doni, who also takes on the task of organizing shows, says they’re often the only ones doing all the heavy lifting when it comes to programming metal gigs in Arunachal, like this Bleak EP launch show. “Most people think that metal shows don’t attract enough attendees to be profitable, which is understandable, but, if the artists are not given the platform(s) to showcase their talents, how will people know about them?” he says.  

Thankfully, there are spaces willing to host metal gigs for now. Bleak are rolling full speed ahead regardless, working on a full-length album next. Vocalist Doi adds, “[It’s] a 10-tracker, scheduled for an early 2025 release, but while that is the future, we are focusing on keeping the band’s live chemistry sharp and since the present has nothing to stop us, it is, within reason, anywhere, anytime!”

Bleak performs at Club Ampire on July 20, with special guests Follow The Moon. Get details here.