New Music: Mumbai Trip Hop to Bengaluru metalcore

“I Feel One” by The Tekina Collab

Aniket Mangrulkar. Photo: Courtesy of the artist

A trip hop/soul solo project of Mumbai-based vocalist-producer Aniket Mangrulkar, the Tekina Collab’s first single from their upcoming EP features vocalist Rachel Varghese, guitarist-producer Achint Thakkar [previously with prog/psych rock band Rosemary] and bassist Anjo John. While John and Mangrulkar were previously part of Mumbai rock band Zodiac [later called Artshop], the vocalist takes to some laidback trip hop in the vein of UK duo Zero 7. Mangrulkar started the project in 2014 and roped in sound engineer Akash Sawant [who has previously worked with Mumbai thrash/groove metallers Zygnema] to co-produce the track, and has plans to go live sometime this year.

“Param Vir Chakra” by Eternal Returns

Eternal Returns. Photo: Courtesy of the artist

Thane-based metallers Eternal Returns have teamed up with Mumbai thrash/death metallers Devoid’s guitarist Sanju Aguiar for their third single “Param Vir Chakra.” The band, who came together in 2011, have previously written songs about “Corporate Bastards” [their second single out earlier this year], but dedicate their new track to soldiers and martyrs, featuring a mix of grim raspy growls and some all-out death metal riffs.

Listen to “Param Vir Chakra”

Download Param Vir Chakra (Featuring Sanju Aguiar”‹) [right-click and save as]

Think. Think. by Dreamhour

Debojyoti Sanyal aka Dreamhour. Photo: courtesy of the artist

Siliguri/Pune-based electro pop producer and vocalist Debojyoti Sanyal has been releasing material since 2013, including his debut album Storeroom Diaries, which released last year. Out last week is his new EP Think. Think. is a three-track release which Sanyal says was actually recovered from a “tragic hard disk crash.” Adds Sanyal, “Months later I was lucky enough to recover some rough-yet-listenable pre-masters of three of the tracks off the EP.” Considering the circumstances, we think an album full of bouncy, dance-floor friendly electro synth-pop would have been just as worth it, but we’ll settle for an EP for now.

“Reverse Gravity of a Dying Star” by Skylight Vision

Pune prog rock band Skylight Vision. Photo: Courtesy of the artist

Pune prog rock band Skylight Vision have had an eventful first year together. Formed in early 2014, the band has performed in and around Pune and were mentored by Mumbai electro pop duo Shaa’ir + Func as part of Ray Ban Never Hide Sounds. Earlier this month, they churned out a mellow new single called “Reverse Gravity of a Dying Star,” very much influenced by UK prog rockers Porcupine Tree and frontman Steven Wilson.

“Smyrna ”“ The City of Bitterness” by Final Surrender

Bengaluru metalcore band Final Surrender.

Bengaluru metal band Final Surrender, who released their fusion metalcore album Empty Graves in 2013, are out with their latest single on American record label Rottweiler Records called “Smyrna ”“ The City of Bitterness.” With an EP slated to release in June, Final Surrender don’t look like they are taking the fusion route any longer ”“ “Smyrna” is just straight-up crushing metal riffs, minus any choirs or sitars.