Demonic Resurrection to Headline Rolling Stone Metal Awards 2014

Demonic Resurrection: (from left) Ashwin Shriyan, Sahil Makhija, Nishith Hegde, Mephisto and Virendra Kaith | Photo: Aneev Rao.

It’s been four years in the making, but Mumbai extreme metal band Demonic Resurrection [DR] will finally play new material from their fourth album The Demon King [set to release in July] at their headlining set at the Rolling Stone Metal Awards on June 22nd at Blue Frog, Mumbai.

The five-member band, who added lead guitarist Nishith Hegde in January this year, complete 14 years together with The Demon King, with a tour of the UK between June and July. In early August, the band will also perform at Germany’s Wacken Open Air. DR have so far premiered a demo version of their new song “Death, Desolation and Despair” at Dubai Rock Fest in May. Says Makhija about their Dubai gig, “That was actually the song that got the mosh pit going.” Although the frontman says he was a bit nervous about playing the new song live, he adds that the band have perfected the song after playing it “over a 100 times” for their music video shoot for the song. Says Makhija about the video, “It should be out in the first week of July.”

Just days before DR head off to perform at Les Fest in Scotland, the band will premiere new material from The Demon King at RSMA. Says Makhija, “Bombay has seen enough of the old stuff now, so we’re sticking largely to the new material.” The band will play “Death, Desolation and Despair,” the title track “The Demon King” and at least one more song from the album. While Makhija is representing one band as a performer, he’ll also represent his other project, death metal band Reptilian Death, who are leading with seven nominees at the Metal Awards. Makhija, however, says, “My money is on everybody but Reptilian Death. I think we’ll do a reverse of what Skyharbor did last year.”

Demonic Resurrection join the likes of Bengaluru-based folk metal band The Down Troddence, Aizawl death metallers Third Sovereign and Mumbai progressive/hardcore band Reverrse Polarity at RSMA 2014. Makhija says he’s particularly looking forward to playing alongside Third Sovereign, who he first booked to play in Mumbai for his own gig series, Resurrection, in 2004. Says Makhija, “It’s absolutely amazing to share the stage with them [Third Sovereign]. I heard them way back on [music streaming website] Soundclick ”“ their first song ”˜Face Of Despair’ and I thought, ”˜I’m bringing these guys to Mumbai’. They are the sweetest bunch of guys and old friends.”

Demonic Resurrection perform at Zippo presents Rolling Stone Metal Awards 2014 on June 22nd at Blue Frog, Mumbai. Entry: TBA. Third Sovereign, The Down Troddence and Reverrse Polarity will also perform. Event details here.

Vote for your favorite bands to win in the Best Band, Best Album and Best Song category at RSMA.

Listen to “Death, Desolation and Despair”