Indian Music Revolution - Latest News, Reviews, Interviews, Gigs, Downloads

underground scene. And he told me that the Guitarist of the band was “PRIYANKU”! I was impressed. After all these years he is still playing the six string and as it turns out playing very very well indeed. This time round I got introduced to the whole band. They are as talented and interesting bunch of musicians as I have ever seen. Their vocalist screams and does clean vocals without any discomfort whatsoever. The drummer, who is all but a little kid, is insanely fast and is huge on the double bass thingy! Their bassist is rock solid and keeps the song together. He is as solid as bassist can be! They have two guitarists – and it hard to say which the lead is and which the rhythm is. I would still say PRIYANKU is the Lead. The rhythm can pump out monstrous riffs and is quite an act on stage too! And the lead is the rollicking fingers of “PRIYANKU”! I have listened to 4 to 5 songs from them. I will post their best yet – SMOKE  THE STICK . It’s a wild number and hopefully you will like it as much as I did. In conversation with the band members this is what I dished out of them:

IMR:  What comes to your mind when you think about music/ how would you define music?
SANITARIUM: "Music is food for soul." It’s the bridge between hearts. There are lots of other mediums to express your views. But perhaps the best media is music, to touch the hearts. For us making music is synonymous to breathing. It’s what keeps us alive.

IMR:  What genre do you belong to or classify yourselves as?
SANITARIUM: We play THRASH METAL. But we are not sure about the genre of our originals. It’s up to the listeners and the critics to decide. We know we are not “POP”!

IMR:  How did you start?
SANITARIUM: Well, all of our members were making music, but belonged to different genres. Myself (ANuPAM) and PRIYANKU are old friends. One fine day we just started jamming without really thinking about starting a band or anything you know, simple jams. This is how we started. PRIYANKU owns his own recording studio and i was just an occasional lyricist and guitarist. We were looking for vocalist, drummer and a bass guitarist. Once we were joined by several other guys as band members but the combination just didn’t click. Then i roped in TRIDIP(vocals) as a tryout, amazingly he had all of what we were looking for. Then Tridip brought RITU(guitars) and I started pounding bass guitars. RITU has got an awesome classical hand as well as flair for playing “METAL”. PRIYANKU's younger bro RAJA originally a keyboardist, joined as a drummer. And at last we were ready to kick ass.

IMR:  Why did you name the band 'SANITARIUM'?
SANITARIUM: We were looking for a name, a good name indeed. We didn’t want a br00tal name for the band. We used to be known as 'Heart of Madness'. Later we decided on the name 'SANITARIUM' as we are big time METALLICA fans. We think its great, don’t you?

IMR:  When do you guys plan on launching an album?
SANITARIUM: Oh, well we started many times, and had some originals ready as well. No problem with making an album coz we have our own studio, just waiting for a good producer and the right moment coupled with an awesome list of OC’s.

IMR:  Do you think we should give more importance to original compositions?
SANITARIUM: Of course, we do. Audience love to hear our metal covers but it’s the originals which reflect the true character of the band. Only an original shows the real potential of a band.

IMR:  What do you have to say about the ROCK/METAL circuit here in NORTH EAST?
SANITARIUM: From early years NE has been an abode of ROCK/METAL. But we think it’s a recent phenomenon that ROCK/METAL scenario is improving in ASSAM and GUWAHATI in particular. Now a day’s new bands, events and organizers are coming up in every corner. Good sign the ROCK/METAL buffs.

IMR:  Your Influences?
SANITARIUM: METALLICA,PANTERA.

IMR:  What do you think about the metal scene in general in India and where do you think we stand as compared to d international acts?
SANITARIUM: Once underdeveloped, b4 few yrs developing n right now well developed up to certain extent. Great events like CRI, GIR, LAUNCHPAD are providing a good platform 4 the bands. We think in comparison to international acts, we r not much legging behind. But we need much exposure and increased listeners.

IMR:  According to you, what role do you think these music websites play in a band's publicity?
SANITARIUM: Pivotal role indeed! They are a good medium to let your music flow to the people. Besides we can also have some experience of sharing ourselves.

IMR:  How would you describe 'sanitarium' to our new fans?
SANITARIUM: Well we don’t want to exaggerate anything. Its special 4 us to be a part of our band. We were trying to perform our best, we try our best to compose our gr8 originals. We want that NE should be known 4 our music and harmony and not 4 terror.

IMR:  What would you like to convey to all our readers across the country?
SANITARIUM: Keep the spirit f rock music alive. Just be yourself. Enjoy, love you all !l!  

I have absolutely no doubt that this band has the capability of being one of the biggest bands in the India ROCK/METAL circuit. They have all the basic things needed to make music absolutely bang on! Fabulous lyrics, stupendous vocals, rollicking leads, groovy drumming, steadfast bass and brutal axemen! They have a long way to go yet, but its looking good for this band from my hometown ASSAM!

--SOUVIK DEY(St.Artherius)