New Rock, Jazz and Metal You May Have Missed: Septic Isle, Against Evil, The Lost Symbols

“Tears of Grey” by Threads In The Sky

Mumbai act Threads In The Sky, founded by guitarist-composer and producer Raghav, make it count with their debut single “Tears of Grey,” featuring Keshav Parthasarathy on vocals. For a seven-minute runtime, “Tears of Grey” tempers itself, bursting into modern metal and post-rock intensity between quieter movements. Inspired by the likes of TesseracT, Sleep Token and more, “Tears of Grey” is lyrically taking from the 1940s, when World War II took over and brought suffering and anguish to the world.

Sei Hek by Sei Hek

Guitarist-composer and producer Khuraijam Sanjeet and drummer-producer Reeshav Gohain channel all things dexterous, calming and euphoric as Sei Hek on their debut self-titled album. If you like instrumental acts like CHON, Plini and Jakub Zytecki and more shapeshifting artists like Alfa Mist and Owane, this 10-track album feels like a comforting breeze that you can nod and smile along to. Sanjeet’s guitar sparks go in and out of the spotlight, right from the first song “Inceptio” itself. “Stargazer” is more measured and songs like “Take Me Away,” “Drifting Mind” and “Tether” notches up some fine instrumental prog. Electronic elements make their way into “Breeze” featuring artist Yonoh, while a saxophone solo from Matius Pecorale lights up “Here Comes The Loop!”

“Necrontyr” by Septic Isle

Hyderabad metallers Septic Isle have been steadily working their way into the Indian metal circuit, recently heading out on tour with thrash metallers Kill The King. The essence of their sonic assault is inspired by the lore of war game Warhammer 40K, with the debut single “Necrontyr” tipping its hat to the humanoid race from the game. Intriguing lore aside, there’s plenty to pump your fists and mosh around to on “Necrontyr,” which makes Septic Isle one to watch out for in Indian metal.

“Shiv Aranjini” by V Play Music

On his first release since 2021’s album Guitar on Vocals, guitarist-composer V Play Music aka Virender Kumar draws from the mysticism and faith in Lord Shiva for “Shiv Aranjini.” The result is a blistering, melody-splattered instrumental song that does well to take the listener on a journey rather than just being an all-out shredfest. Sure, V Play Music – who has performed with the likes of star artists Badshah and Aastha Gill – knows his way around tasteful fretwork, but there’s also a narrative that’s unfolding.

“Lights Out” by Against Evil

Visakhapatnam heavy metal band Against Evil released the second single from their upcoming album Give ‘Em Hell (due on Jul. 12). “Lights Out” still has a nod to the album title – even though the title track came out in May. In their latest, the band issue a resolute warning for any willing challenger who wants to take them on in a fight. While it stomps along at a singalong pace, “Lights Out” gets elevated thanks to a short but punchy guitar solo.

“Kisko Kahu” by Ehsaas

After releasing their deeply personal, wiry and melancholic song “Jung” in May, Ahmedabad-based rock band Ehsaas dig deeper into mental health, dedicating their new song “Kisko Kahu” to a friend who survived and overcame domestic violence. Taken from their upcoming album Khudsar, Ehsaas take the ballad route on “Kisko Kahu,” with a music video directed by Marmik Acharya. Drawing from real-life incidents, the powerful video and its performance put Ehsaas in that socially conscious space that we need more of in rock.

“Shapeshift” by Pink Moss

By the time we’ve got Goa-based funk/soul band Pink Moss’ third single “Shapeshift,” we have to keep in mind that they’ve already paired everything from pop to neo-soul to R&B with Assamese lyrics (“Xathor.”) Releasing three songs between April and May, the band – comprising vocalist Sampriti Dastidar, drummer Siddharth Rajmohan, guitarist Subid Khan and bassist Souvik Bhattacharya – now have a hypnotic, sweaty new video for “Shapeshift.” Scat vocals, piercing jazz-fusion guitar work and groovy rhythms all make for an alluring listen.

“Nadi Ka Rasta” by The Lost Symbols

On their fourth single from their upcoming album, rock band The Lost Symbols start off with a pastoral kind of acoustic approach on “Nadi Ka Rasta.” The intricate guitar leads going over chords is a simple and effective way to draw in the listener and the song begins to swell as it progresses, even incorporating string arrangements. There are clear influences of Nineties and early 2000s American rock across all their work but The Lost Symbols are steadily coming into their own sonic bracket with rousing songs like “Nadi Ka Rasta.” So far, on this upcoming album, they’ve already traversed heavy territory with songs like “Musibaton Ka Pahad” and “Shaitan,” while offering an interplay of intense and lush on “Myna.”

“Jugnoo” by Madmast

On their first release of the year, Mumbai band Madmast sing about the ever-changing nature of artistic pursuit. “Jugnoo,” with its funky guitar work, screaming guitar leads, philosophizing vocals and groovy rhythms also offers anthem-like hooks from an artist’s perspective about the nature of creative output and how, in the band’s words, “the goal post keeps changing.” In the song, they compare it to chasing fireflies in the forest, being guided by their travel-worn but happy heart.

“Cast Aside” by Blinded by Silence 

Blinded by Silence brings together Mumbai-origin, Toronto-based guitarist Sharan Nair, guitarist Anand Nambiar and Punjab’s Tajbir Singh on vocals. Their new song “Cast Aside” is clearly inspired by heartbreak and rejection, because the lyrics are just that on the nose. Sonically, Singh has classically trained vocals informing his seemingly Myles Kennedy-type croon, going over modern, melodic metal elements from Nair and Nambiar. 

“Forsaken” by As Oceans Flatline

Bengaluru band As Oceans Flatline are flying the metalcore flag high in the city and in India at large. Contrary to what you might have heard, metalcore is still very much alive and kicking. As Oceans Flatline have been regulars in the live circuit within Bengaluru, playing a mix of their own songs alongside tribute nights to the style’s leading bands. On the release front, they put out their latest song “Forsaken” in May, as part of their upcoming EP Remnants. Over the course of five and a half minutes, there’s plenty of breakdowns, melodic shifts, dissonance and scurrying riffs to remind us that there’s still plenty of intensity in metalcore.