As the New Year’s celebrations concluded, Bengaluru welcomed 2023 with the sonorous roar of metal and the pulsing rhythms of electronic dance music. The first weekend of January set the stage for two distinct musical occasions: the Wacken Metal Battle’s regional rounds and the pulsating session at Sunburn Union with Indo Warehouse representatives.
On January 6, starting at 5:30 pm, Fandom at Gilly’s Redefined in Koramangala transformed into an arena for metal gladiators. With tickets priced at ₹499 via Insider.in and a ₹500 cover charge at the door, enthusiasts were invited to experience the battle of the bands, aiming for the prestigious opportunity to compete at the Wacken Open Air festival, Germany, come summer.
Six determined acts took to the stage in Bengaluru, each with their eyes firmly set on victory, knowing that triumph here would propel them to the final round next month at Bangalore Open Air. Hyderabad’s rock ensemble Peekay, space-rock aficionados Space Is All We Have, and the formidable metal line-up of Ksetravid, As Oceans Flatline, Mutiny, and Maneating Orchid represented the city’s burgeoning talent. Maneating Orchid, in particular, with their chaotic blend of mathcore, death metal, and progressive sounds, brought a wealth of experience to the competition.
Also gracing the event were two powerhouses in the non-competing category. Veteran grindcore outfit Nauseate, hailed for their 2020 album “Tales From A Groaning Existence,” and rising stars Goatsmoke, fused sludge, punk, and doom into a compelling mix reminiscent of their 2022 EP “What’s the Scene, Bob?”
The very next day at 5 pm, Sunburn Union in Koramangala opened its doors for a night charged with electric energy, with tickets available for ₹1,500 via BookMyShow, plus a cover charge at the door. Electronic music took over as the US-based Indo Warehouse showcase presented their unique South Asian-inspired dance music. The touring trio of Kahani, Kunal Merchant, and Anvaya sought to carve a niche in Bengaluru’s vibrant electronic scene.
Kahani articulated their excitement in a press release, hinting at a cultural revolution and the birth of a ‘new big thing’ in music thanks to the supportive Indian audience. Kunal Merchant echoed this sentiment, expressing his anticipation for the tour and the connection with a homegrown audience through music steeped in shared cultural roots.
On the heels of the electronica experience, metal enthusiasts had another round of headbanging sessions to look forward to. Later the same evening, Fandom at Gilly’s Redefined was set to host the second edition of the Southern Slaughter metal festival. With tickets priced at ₹650 via Insider.in and an additional ₹500 at the door, the festival was primed to feature a selection of India’s heaviest hitters.
The lineup promised a diverse journey through the domains of thrash, death, and traditional heavy metal. Amorphia, set for a European tour later in the year, Crypted Hate from Kochi, hometown heroes Illucia, Mumbai’s death metallers Darkrypt, coming off their recent album release, and Bengaluru’s own Trankvillus and Regicide, added to the eclectic melee.
Organizers of the Southern Slaughter took to social media to express their anticipation for the Bengaluru edition, having previously held a successful inaugural event in Kochi in February 2023. They promised an uncompromising celebration of metal music that would leave fans craving more.
As the first week of January concluded, it was clear that Bengaluru’s insatiable appetite for music, whether metal’s blistering riffs or electronic music’s groove-inducing beats, was well and truly sated, setting a high octane tone for the rest of the year.
