Placebo Laal - Meander

Poor Rich Boy's Zain Ahsan joins forces with Lahori beat-maker Imaad Munzar in the guise of 'Placebo Laal'. The results are nothing short of spectacular. The tune that they've created is called 'Meander', and I've been listening to it repeatedly since it came out. I'm not sure how to define it. It's a laid-back loungy/chillout tune that has been accentuated with the use of minimal percussion and Derek Trucks-y slide guitars. The tape looping and additional keys ensure a lush, well-crafted soundscape. Seen from a slightly different vantage point, I can also imagine a slightly melancholic Pelican sharing his tales of woe to passers-by on a hazy Saturday afternoon at a dock.

Naveed Ahsan and Hassan Iqbal - Djentlemen from Lahore

'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.

Foreskin - THVG Anthem

Guest post by Daniyal Khan

"Thvg Anthem" is a track from the upcoming Thvg EP by the Lahore based crossover thrash metal trio Foreskin. The song starts at a moderate tempo riff and soon transitions to a faster thrash tempo. Vocalist Hassan Umer is spewing venom on this track: the sharp edges have not been filed off the lyrics or the vocal delivery. The song is clearly meant to be and manages to be an unrestrained punch in the face and stays unapologetically true to the thrash ethos. But if you think this is all form and no substance, think again. Sheraz Ahmed and Amar Ali are ripping on the guitars, from the solos and the "good time" riff at 1:46 to the breakdown outro. This song has it all: fast tempos, heavy riffs and a spoken word. Bottom line: this song is both a statement of intent and a sign of good things to come. Pakistani metal fans should be looking forward to the release of the band’s upcoming EP. I missed their live set at the Youth Performing Arts Festival at Peeru’s Café this past October; big mistake.