Continuing the History of Metal through short (trivia packed) chapters and accompanying playlists.
Thanks for all the support of Part 1 of these ongoing series! You asked me for more, here it is :)
Work in progress, will be posting irregularly (but...
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The Vedic Age was a historically significant period for the Indian subcontinent during the Iron Age (so yeah, that's already pretty Metal) and lasted roughly from 1500 - 600 BC). The Vedic culture was also religiously significant as it gave birth to Hinduism.
What has all of this to do with Metal? Well, in the 21st Century, Metal has gone global and at the start of the new millennium Hindu and specifically Vedic inspired Death and Black Metal started to gain fame in India and South-East Asia. This music, often using Vedic themes and lyrics on top of traditional music and instruments, was dubbed Vedic Metal as it started to spread into Underground scenes all over the world.
Commonly regarded as the first true Vedic metal release, 'The Aryan Crusade' in 2001 by Singaporean band Rudra led the charge. The album is widely considered a classic, and even the definitive record of the genre. A bit unfair maybe, as today the genre is more alive than ever. Oh, on the 'Aryan' note: you'll find numerous references to Aryan history and culture in Vedic metal bands. This has nothing to do with White Supremacy, but everything with the Vedic Culture being part of the so-called Hindu Indo-Iranian culture. Aryan was the ethnic and religious label the Vedics gave themselves.
But enough about history, let's get back to the music!
As said before, Vedic Metal is characterized by mixing modern Metal with traditional Hindu instruments and rhythms. The mix of - basically - folk instruments with Metal is nothing new, just look at Sepultura in Brazil, Eluveitie in Switzerland, or a million bands in between. However, Vedic Metal does offer an interesting idiosyncrasy, where it balances almost ethereal Hindu music that almost puts you in a trance, with aggressive (Melodic) Death and Black Metal. Well I guess there's plenty of Black Metal that can put you in a trance, but still Vedic Metal offers a somewhat unexpected, yet successful mix of musical styles.
The genre's pioneers Rudra are still going strong today, but the scene has flourished, and with Wingz Of Vayraag and Demonic Resurrection (both from India) releasing strong albums in recent years, it seems like the scene is far from done. In fact, bands all over the world have started to incorporate the Vedic influences in their music. Listen for example to some of the tracks of Russian band Kartikeya on this playlist!
Vedic Metal bands have written some of the mostepic Melodic Death and Black Metal out there. Why don't you give it a try andget in a trance of Hindu chants and some serious blast beats...
Namaste!
Playlist:
01. Rudra: Twilight Of Duality (2001)
02. Narasimha: When Darkness Triumphs (2003)
03. Asura: Lateral Divinity (2006)
04. Demonic Resurrection: The Unrelenting Surge Of Vengeance (2010)
05. Bhairav: Kaal Ratri (2011)
06. Kartikeya: He Who Carries The Head Of Brahma (2011)
07. Rudra: Hymns From The Blazing Chariot (2009)
08. Varcas: Kaal Samrayja (2012)
09. Dhwesha: Kapala Haara (2014)
10. Dying Out Flame: Maisasura Maridini (2014)
11. The Down Troddence: Nagavalli (2014)
12. Kartikeya: The Golden Blades (2016)
13. Tandav: Samhara (2016)
14. Wingz of Vayraag: The Dark Goddess Kali Ma (2016)
15. Rudra: Now Therefore (2011)
16. Demonic Resurrection: Matsya - The Fish (2017)
