Band Interview
We catch up with one of the most happening metal acts in Chennai ,Djinn’s Lament , a relatively new band in the scene , to give us an insight into their musical career.Their new song , Shift , has been doing its rounds fairly well on the ReverbNation charts and their music can be described as an amalgam of blinding aggressive riffs and melodic strains on an ambient background.This is what their drummer , Prakash , had to say.
Q. WHAT ’S THE STORY BEHIND THE NAME DJINN’S LAMENT?
A: Our Ex-Guitarist was a big fan of the online RPG League Of Legends where he came across a character named Djinn. When he showed it to us we found the name fascinatingand agreed to use it. Later on we added the word Lament to it. Djinn’s Lament means ‘Demon’s Sorrow’.
Q. AND THE CURRENT LINE-UP OF THE BAND IS ?
A: RG - Vocals
Aaslesh- Bass
Siddharth-Keyboards
Moiz- Guitars
Prakash- Drums
Q. WHERE DID YOU GUYS MEET? HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOW EACH OTHER ?
A: RG, Moiz and Siddharth were already a part of the band along with some others. I met RG at a gig and we started chatting on Facebook. Eventually I joined the band. We were desperate to get a bassist for the band which was when we found Aaslesh and he joined the band. The final line-up was ready by December 2010.
Q. IF YOU HAD TO PICK A GENRE FOR YOU MUSIC, WHAT WOULD IT BE ? WHO ARE YOUR MAJOR INFLUENCES?
A: Our genre is Progressive Death. Actually, our inspirational list is very long, few major Influences are Opeth , Meshuggah, Dream Theater, Children Of Bodom, Gojira, Lamb of God, Porcupine Tree, Tool, The Faceless and Obscura.
Q. WHEN DID YOU FINALLY DECIDE TO FORM A BAND? WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO MAKE MUSIC TOGETHER?
A: The band was formed in mid 2010, but went through numerous lineup changes until we settled upon the final lineup in December 2010. The love for music and our respective instruments inspires us to make music together.
Q. HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT WRITING & COMPOSING SONGS ?
A: Moiz composes some riffs from which we take in a few and structure the song. Siddharth adds the Keyboard riffs based on the guitar riffs while I add the drums and Aaslesh compliments the guitar riffs with his bass lines. RG writes the lyrics and titles for the song. We compose the basic structure of the song and try to improvise on it later.
Q. ARE THERE ANY MAIN THEMES TO YOUR SONGS?
A: In our new song “SHIFT” lyrics is based on our personal experiences. The other two are about the diary of a dead man and ‘apocalypse’. We have a little space rock influence in our music too.
Q. WHICH SONGS DO YOU PERFORM MOST FREQUENTLY? DO YOU EVER PLAY ANY COVERS?
A: We perform the songs ‘Dear Diary’ and ‘Grand finale’ frequently and a cover of Opeth’s Classic ‘Demon of the Fall’ as it suits the overall sound of the band. Recently we started playing our new song ‘Shift’ which we also recorded and released as a single.
A: We perform the songs ‘Dear Diary’ and ‘Grand finale’ frequently and a cover of Opeth’s Classic ‘Demon of the Fall’ as it suits the overall sound of the band. Recently we started playing our new song ‘Shift’ which we also recorded and released as a single.
Q. HOW DO YOU GUYS REHEARSE AND PRACTICE?
A: We try to practice at least once in a week but then finding a rehearsal place becomes tough because the jam rooms are pretty expensive so now we are planning to invest in a Jam hub and practice with it.
A: We try to practice at least once in a week but then finding a rehearsal place becomes tough because the jam rooms are pretty expensive so now we are planning to invest in a Jam hub and practice with it.
Q. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE AS AN UPCOMING BAND IN INDIA?
A: Lack of exposure has been the biggest challenge for us.
A: Lack of exposure has been the biggest challenge for us.
Q.How do you feel about the present day music scene in India ?
A: The western music scene has grown a lot through the years. Especially the metal scene is reaching new heights with many well acclaimed international bands performing in India and many Indian bands performing abroad. I am sure that the western music scene will reach greater heights in the coming years.
A: The western music scene has grown a lot through the years. Especially the metal scene is reaching new heights with many well acclaimed international bands performing in India and many Indian bands performing abroad. I am sure that the western music scene will reach greater heights in the coming years.
Q. FINDING ONE’S OWN SOUND IS A LONG GONE-BY THING, IN TODAY’S GENRE- PLAGUED SCENE. DO YOU GUYS THINK YOU HAVE Found YOUR OWN SOUND? WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO FIND YOUR OWN SOUND?
A: We are experimenting a lot with our sound by infusing Progressive Death/Groove metal elements with melodic song structures. The Keyboards plays an important role in creating a unique sound of our own.
Q. ANY LAST WORDS?
A: Metal bands play only for you guys so please show your support by attending all the gigs and inspiring us to work even harder to create better music.
Follow them on Facebook and ReverbNation guys.
A: Metal bands play only for you guys so please show your support by attending all the gigs and inspiring us to work even harder to create better music.
Follow them on Facebook and ReverbNation guys.
