New Music: Bengaluru Death Metal, Mussoorie Folk, Jammu Hip-Hop and More

“Incendiary Hallucinosis” by Prime Rage

Active since 2010, Bengaluru death metallers Prime Rage have released their aptly titled new song “Incendiary Hallucinosis,” off their upcoming EP Desecrated Faith. While the EP is expected later this year, the five and a half minute lead single is a taste of everything Prime Rage have been prepping for over the years – it brings together ear-splitting drum work, melodic riffage that’s very much in the brutal realm and even pig squeals to show they mean business.

“Fuck It” by Left Turn

While it’s a gentle folksy rock song that recalls the likes of Mumford and Sons, Mumbai’s Hindi pop-rock band Left Turn’s new track for “Fuck It” has an intriguing video. At first glance, it comes across as a homage of sorts to Canadian pop-punk band Sum 41’s “Hell Song” video, with action figures, dolls and toys reflecting current pop culture, but Left Turn got the idea after associating with a home for roofless children. While they taught music to the children at the home, they also ended up donating all the toys from the shoot.

“Moh Maya” by Raqeeb the Band

Bengaluru pop/funk act Raqeeb bring a little bit of early Maroon 5 and funk it up on their latest single “Moh Maya.” While at times it might seem like a straight up rock song, Raqeeb – who came together around 2015 – clearly like to shake things up, descending into groovy pockets and shimmering keys by Krish Dutta, as vocalist Rahul Dutta addresses the oft-repeated philosophy that the material world is temporary.

“Kaisey” by Ady Manral

On his latest Hindi single, Landour, Mussoorie singer-songwriter Ady Manral brings his distinctive croon to make an earnest plea to someone beloved. Over easygoing but evocative folk – arranged by indie band When Chai Met Toast’s Palee Francis and produced by Vivek Thomas in Kochi – filmmaker Mohit Kapil puts an introverted protagonist (played by Nitigya Singh) in Mumbai and a chance encounter at a cassette store that changes the day around.

“Jaanleva” by Shen B

Released early this month, the new single from Jammu rapper Shen B aka Shayaan Bhat (once part of indie rock band MoonDogs) brings forth his hip-hop inclinations as intensely as ever. While it’s set on a terrace somewhere and features slick VFX, Shen’s quickfire rap about the underground hip-hop scene in the country is the clear focus. There’s references to Bollywood actors of yesteryear like Sridevi and Hema Malini, a cheeky short-lived detour into a R&B-esque hook and hyped-up trap production from Shen himself.

“Raatein Khamosh Si” by Vicky & Tejas

On their first single since 2019’s Kho Jaun EP, Pune’s singer-songwriter duo Vicky & Tejas evoke a calming folksy song in the vein of Ankur Tewari. In a slow lilt and arrangements of horn and string sections added in the mix, “Raatein Khamosh Si” the song is understandably best suited as a night time lullaby.

“Fanaah” by Antariksh

New Delhi rock band Antariksh craft a shimmering, arena-rock ready song with their latest single “Fanaah.” Packed in with vocalist-guitarist Varun Rajput’s soulful delivery, there’s familiar yet well-arranged rock elements that are wide open and occasionally leaning towards intimacy. Fueled by an upbeat guitar lead and a sing-along chorus, “Fanaah” builds into a layered, dancey track by the four-minute mark.