'Djent' is a relatively obscure sub-genre of metal, and is generally defined by low-tuned, poly-rythmic guitar chugging. Many have traced its origins to the Swedish extreme metal band 'Meshuggah', and over the past couple of years it has proliferated into the metal mainstream, spewing forth many bands that rely on similar song structures/techniques. Surprisingly enough for many, India has a brilliant 'Djent' scene that is slowly gaining recognition and is being embraced by a global audience.
Keshav Dhar's band 'Skyharbor' is an excellent case in point. What started off as a one-man project is now a functional band that has collaborated with the likes of Marty Friedman. Another heavy-weight is Vishaal.J.Singh, and his band called 'Amogh Symphony'. Vishaal has been making fusion-tinged technical/progressive metal since 2004, and his compositional acuity/guitar-wizardry comes through in a lot of his tunes. What these men are producing is nothing less than phenomenal, and coming from this part of the world makes it even more laudable.
It natural to wonder about Pakistan's state of affairs. Recently, I came across some guys in Lahore producing music which has a similar 'Djent' ethos. These embryonic stirrings depict a growing interest in a genre which has probably never been explored in Pakistan.
Consider the following two tunes. The first one is called 'Riddle of the Sphinx', and has been composed by Naveed Ahsan. He calls it 'Oriental Djent', and once you hit the play button, you'll be able to see why. He has incorporated 'Oriental' percussion and strings with low-tuned chugging guitars in seemingly odd-time signatures.The second tune is called 'A Grand Cluster', and has been composed by Hassan Iqbal. While it is clear that Iqbal is trying to replicate a sound that was forged by the likes of Tosin Abasi, his playing might lack the requisite jazz-fusion undertone/discipline required to give it that extra edge in this tune. Maybe i'm being a bit too harsh. I've heard some of his other stuff, and I'm sure he has the ability to pull it off. However, I'd still give him credit for composing this tune. The genre in question isn't easy to pull off. I really hope to see the day when something like Animals as Leaders emerges out of Pakistan. Here's hoping that musicians like these actually make that happen.
Keshav Dhar's band 'Skyharbor' is an excellent case in point. What started off as a one-man project is now a functional band that has collaborated with the likes of Marty Friedman. Another heavy-weight is Vishaal.J.Singh, and his band called 'Amogh Symphony'. Vishaal has been making fusion-tinged technical/progressive metal since 2004, and his compositional acuity/guitar-wizardry comes through in a lot of his tunes. What these men are producing is nothing less than phenomenal, and coming from this part of the world makes it even more laudable.
It natural to wonder about Pakistan's state of affairs. Recently, I came across some guys in Lahore producing music which has a similar 'Djent' ethos. These embryonic stirrings depict a growing interest in a genre which has probably never been explored in Pakistan.
Consider the following two tunes. The first one is called 'Riddle of the Sphinx', and has been composed by Naveed Ahsan. He calls it 'Oriental Djent', and once you hit the play button, you'll be able to see why. He has incorporated 'Oriental' percussion and strings with low-tuned chugging guitars in seemingly odd-time signatures.The second tune is called 'A Grand Cluster', and has been composed by Hassan Iqbal. While it is clear that Iqbal is trying to replicate a sound that was forged by the likes of Tosin Abasi, his playing might lack the requisite jazz-fusion undertone/discipline required to give it that extra edge in this tune. Maybe i'm being a bit too harsh. I've heard some of his other stuff, and I'm sure he has the ability to pull it off. However, I'd still give him credit for composing this tune. The genre in question isn't easy to pull off. I really hope to see the day when something like Animals as Leaders emerges out of Pakistan. Here's hoping that musicians like these actually make that happen.
nice blog man, i randomly searched "pakistan djent" haha, im from Denmark myself but my parents are from Peshawar, and its cool to see some djent flowing out of my rootcountry
ReplyDeleteThanks, Arsalan! And yeah, I'm equally excited about Pakistani Djent as well. Though it's just a couple of people making music as yet. I hope it grows into something more substantial.
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