IndianMusicRevolution: How did ABRAXAS form? Did you guys just get together and start jamming or was it something else?
Abhimanyu(ABRAXAS): Karan & Kenneth were already in a band when I joined. We carried on as a four-piece under the RIGOR MORTIS moniker for about a year and then decided to refine our sound and compositions for good. We added another guitarist, changed the drummer and just went for the kill!
IndianMusicRevolution: What are your individual influences in music? Where does the sound of AbraXas come from?
Abhimanyu(ABRAXAS): I started with a lot of Hard Rock/Classic Rock and I still go back to it sometimes. Other than that its a lot of virtuosic, melodic lead guitar players that influenced me in the beginning.
Also, a lot of Brutal Death Metal mixed with cheesy synth-pop / 80s glam rock!
ABRAXAS sound comes from all of us being genuine with our music as a band. Though Vinay and I are the chief composers in the band, all our inputs and agreements on a riff/piece are necessary. Our music is an honest representation of where we are as a band at a period in time.
IndianMusicRevolution: What is ABRAXAS currently working on?
Abhimanyu(ABRAXAS): New compositions and producing an album.
IndianMusicRevolution: Tell us more about your debut album. What is it about and when can we get our hands on it!
Abhimanyu(ABRAXAS): Well, we’ve started already and it’ll take quite some time to finish honestly. There won't be any compromise and you’ll surely come to know when its released.
IndianMusicRevolution: ABRAXAS recently headlined RagnaRock 2011 alongside SCRIBE in Gujarat. Tell me what was it like for the boys? A first time for you here?
Abhimanyu(ABRAXAS): Apart from carrying our own liquor, everything else was in place in Gujarat! It was a first time for all of us as a band and otherwise in this state and we were honestly impressed and awed by it!
I’d heard quite a few times of the Metalabad scene there but the sheer insanity and energy of the crowd at our gig alone reassured me of the burgeoning presence of Metal in Gujarat.
IndianMusicRevolution: And how was the response? Did you enjoy your time here? Some words on the experience…
Abhimanyu(ABRAXAS): Oh the response was pheno-sational! It was so good, I’m making up words!
I enjoyed every moment of being onstage simply because of the truly inspiring audience at Ragnarock 2011. Watching Scribe was a bonus!
IndianMusicRevolution: ABRAXAS bagged 2nd spot in the recently concluded Channel [V] Launchpad Season. Congratulations! Can you shed some light on the experience?
Abhimanyu(ABRAXAS): Thanks man! There were a number of good bands that we caught hold of that day.
We all had 12 minutes onstage (with a 5 minute soundcheck) and poor backstage arrangements but being in Goa was fun indeed!
We had a problem with my POD adaptor going off in the middle of our song and I had a bad day/gig because of that too.
IndianMusicRevolution: Tell us about opening for IRON MAIDEN! How was it like?
Abhimanyu(ABRAXAS): It was and still is one of the most revered moments for us as a band.
We were both excited and nervous since we were relatively unknown and had to make a lasting impression as well!
It’s something we still treasure individually and as a band.
IndianMusicRevolution: Your favourite guitarists of all time?
Abhimanyu(ABRAXAS): Jeff Loomis, Andy Timmons, Duane Allman, Paul Gilbert, Steve Vai, Steve Morse, Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Chris Broderick, Andy James, Misha Mansoor, Guthrie Govan, Jimmy Page, Angus Young. Frank Zappa, Jason Becker, Richie Kotzen, Nuno Bettencourt, Dimebag Darrell, Zakk Wylde, Per Nilsson and so forth. This list is way too long to fit in here.
IndianMusicRevolution: What does the band do when not jamming?
Abhimanyu(ABRAXAS): Work/Attend college, practice individually, chill, talk about band related decisions and a few illegal activities!
IndianMusicRevolution: What’s the playlist on your iPod at the moment?
Abhimanyu(ABRAXAS): AFTER THE BURIAL, VEIL OF MAYA, THREAT SIGNAL, FLESHGOD APOLCALYPSE, SPAWN OF POSSESSION, HOUR OF PENENANCE, REVOCATION and THE FACELESS.
IndianMusicRevolution: Any parting message for your fans?
Abhimanyu(ABRAXAS): Thanks for the mad support. None of what we do would ever be possible without you guys.
Stay Metal. It won’t fail you. Thanks!
Interview: Abhimanyu Negi(ABRAXAS)
- Written by Vishal Shah
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You take one look at the insane solos, drum-beats and the growling and you know this is a band you just CANNOT ignore! Say hello to ABRAXAS from Pune, whose brand of Melodic Death Metal music is fast catching the ears of metalheads across the country! Their extremely aggressive, intense and mind-blasting performances led them to win the revered RAIT Unchained soon after their formation in September 2008, and the National Finals of Campus Rock Idols Edition 5 leading them to open for heavy metal giants IRON MAIDEN at Rock in India, merely 2 months after their formation, alongside bands such as CYANIDE SERENITY, DE PROFUNDIS, SLAIN and PARIKRAMA. The band has since performed in Pune, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Cherrapunjee, Manipal, Hyderabad and Goa and stamped their presence strong, in the metal scene in the country! This is Abhimanyu Singh Negi, lead guitarist of ABRAXAS, in a candid chat with us about metal, music, Maiden, and ofcourse - ABRAXAS!
Vishal Shah
Vishal Shah is a 20-year old from Mumbai, finishing his engineering at present. He likes to read a lot of non-fiction, music and sports magazines. An absolute digger of classic crime movies, he spends his time reading up on movies and music on the internet. Apart from this, he loves to travel, play the guitar and even sing occasionally. His interests in music cover a lot of the classic rock ‘n’ roll of the 60s, the hard rock of the 80s, thrash/power metal, grunge, alternative rock and he is currently deeply fond of the Post-Rock/Experimental music genre. Also, Amit Trivedi, Vishal Bharadwaj, Indian Ocean, and old Mohd. Rafi classics are some of his Indian favourites.