Indian Metal Bands to Play Nepal Benefit Gig

Zygnema at the Rolling Stone Metal Awards 2012

It’s been a little over two months since more than 8,000 people were killed in Nepal due to an earthquake in April, but the world was quick in beginning relief work and fundraising efforts. Among them was Swiss metal singer Randy Schaller, from Voice of Ruin. His band had just toured Europe with one of Nepal’s best known metal export, Underside and knowing he now had friends there, Schaller decided to pitch in and start Metal for Nepal, a humanitarian project that has now hosted over 90 bands across Europe and the US. Metal for Nepal has now teamed up with organizers of Kathmandu’s annual Silence Festival to host a benefit gig in Kathmandu on September 5th.

Schaller said in an interview with music website Noisey last month, “I had the idea to organize a support show, and then I realized I could do more; that’s how the concept of the tour was born. I never thought that this project was going to spread across the world, but it’s reassuring because it proves that the human race still has a heart and knows how to stick together when it matters.” Just as European editions of Metal for Nepal have featured mostly local bands, the Kathmandu edition will include two stages featuring Indian metal bands such as extreme metal act Demonic Resurrection, groove/thrashers Zygnema, both from Mumbai alongside Delhi tech-metal act Undying Inc. and Shillong experimental metal band Aberrant. Manager from Oscar Events, Subodh Dahal, the organizer of the gig adds that Indian editions of Metal for Nepal are also in the works in Mumbai, Delhi and other cities.

Dahal, who also manages Underside, started relief work within four days of the earthquake in Nepal and decided to scrap Silence Festival. Adds Underside vocalist Avishek K.C., “We were still deciding the international headliners for Silence at the time, but when we started with relief work, we didn’t feel like doing anything commercial. We realized we need to pay attention to our own country.” While Avishek is looking forward to the all-star jam between all the performing bands to close Metal For Nepal, the gig is a first for both Demonic Resurrection and Aberrant. DR frontman Sahil Makhija is all praise for the initiative for a benefit gig. He says, “I’m just in awe of those guys [organizers]. The efforts they’re taking are amazing.”

Aberrant guitarist Imti Kharkongor adds, “This is our first international gig and I think it’s a big gig.” While Aberrant were originally slated to perform at a Silence Festival pre-gig in September, they’re happy to be a part of the fundraising gig. Says Kharkongor, “It brings out a sense of community among the metalheads. For those who can contribute, they really should.” So far, Metal for Nepal gigs have collected nearly 14,000 Swiss Francs (close to Rs 9.5 lakhs), while Underside members’ call for donations after the earthquake raised nearly $10,000 within a week, according to Avishek. Says the vocalist, “I never thought I’d do this kind of social work, but it really brings out the power of music and metal.”

Metal for Nepal takes place on September 5th, 2015 in Kathmandu. Event details here.