Premiere: Hardcore Band R.A.I.D. Get Visceral in ‘Aftermath’ Video

Hyderabad’s hardcore band R.A.I.D.’s latest song “Aftermath” marks a new, heavier chapter with a new lineup and a primal sound that blends the expected crossover thrash metal influences with ear-splitting breakdowns and growled vocals reminiscent of acts like Knocked Loose and Kublai Khan.

Lyrically, the band continue to focus on their “positive mental attitude” themes, with “Aftermath” aiming to speak directly to suicide survivors about a “path to recovery.” The band says in a statement, “Given the social stigma associated with suicide, most survivors are unable to cope with their loss and they are forced into an individualistic mode of grieving , making the process of healing even more difficult.” Through the video, they’ve also partnered with iCALL, a prevention hotline in India.

This new raw, jagged iteration of R.A.I.D. presents itself with vocalis Rueban Issac and drummer Bobbin Jaydev, plus new members like guitarist David Samuel and bassist Amit Cornelius. Issac credits the new lineup with helping the band achieve a different sound. “We tuned our instruments really low on this EP and adopted a sound that has the music drop tuned (drop G#) to a level that most bands don’t tend to venture. We spent sleepless nights working on it and finally achieved the sound we desired,” the vocalist says. The band’s founder, Issac also trades in his fervent hardcore shouting (reminiscent of bands like Hatebreed) for guttural growls on new material. He says the vocal switch occurred due to the band writing music in a lower key. “We needed to shift to a vocal pitch that fit the music and low growls vocally was the natural fit to the music,” he says.

The song “Aftermath” is part of their upcoming six-track EP Dominion, slated to release independently on April 4th. R.A.I.D. are back on the DIY path – although with an international publicity team on board – after six years with American label Rottweiler Records. After albums like The Strong Survive (2018), Imperium (2019) and Defiance (2022), the band parted ways with the label “purely because of changes in management.” Issac lauds their former label for delivering on the promise of a global listenership and staffer Shawn Browning for his guidance in the early years. He adds, “We did learn the pros and cons of being signed to a label and after eight years of being a band have established connections that benefit the band without the aid of a label.”

The upcoming EP Dominion focuses on R.A.I.D.’s message of suicide prevention. Issac says, “We have seen some of our close and dear friends who have gone through the worst in their life and chose death as the final solution. This has fueled us to create an EP with an intent to heal and help people in finding the right support.”

Watch the video for “Aftermath” below.