Providence Open For Megadeth At MTV Xtreme

Providence in July in Mumbai. Photo: Siddharth Dugha

Originally, groove metal band Providence were included to support American hard rock band Stone Temple Pilots at adventure sports and music festival MTV Xtreme. Providence are the only metal band on the lineup, which also includes electro rock band Pentagram, alt rock/grunge band Blakc and rock veterans Parikrama and Indus Creed, but after American thrash metal band Megadeth were announced as replacements, Providence feel that they are a better pick for the festival.

Guitarist Shezan Shaikh counts Megadeth as one of his major influences and tells us how his guitar teacher Teemeer Chimulkar [formerly of Mumbai thrash metal band Sceptre] introduced him to the band during his early guitar classes with their 1990 album Rust In Peace. Shaikh also met several members of the band while he was studying guitar and music production at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles. He particularly recalls meeting Megadeth’s former guitarist Marty Friedman. Says Shaikh, “I remember talking to him about all things Megadeth and when I was leaving, he said ”˜Hey, man! It’s ’cause of fans like you I’m really happy for my work in Megadeth and I hope one day, you get to share the stage with your favorite band’. This shit is straight out of a movie.”

Providence, who last played in September 2013 in Mumbai, are working on a full-length album, the follow up to their debut EP Vanguard (2011). Says drummer Aaron Pinto, “The new album is a massive riff fest and we can’t wait to release it.” Although Providence will perform at MTV Xtreme with metal band Bhayanak Maut’s vocalist Sunneith Revankar, the band is working on the new album with a brand new vocalist. Says Pinto, without giving away the name of the new vocalist, “All I can say is that he is a monster and the new songs are sounding superb with him.”

The band will play all their material from Vanguard but also have new tracks ready. In November last year, the band uploaded a demo version of “Dante,” one of their new tracks, featuring the band’s signature mix of thrash-meets-modern metal riffs. Shaikh says a new version including vocals will be out in March. The guitarist adds that their performance at MTV Xtreme is a one-off and the band plans to stay away from the stage to focus on studio sessions to complete the album by June. Says Shaikh, “We’ve declined four gigs since the start of this year. We’re being really picky about what shows to play, but the album is the target.”

Providence support Megadeth at MTV Xtreme on February 16th, 2014 at Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida, Delhi NCR. Also performing are Pentagram, Parikrama, Indus Creed and Blakc. Entry: Rs 3,500 (VIP), Rs 1,500 (general) and Rs 950 (student). Tickets available here.