‘A need to vent is what makes metal popular’

... says Vibhas Venkataram of Bangalore-based metal outfit Eccentric Pendulum
This band is not an off-the-cuff name as yet on the heavy metal circuit. Progressive metal act and Bangalore-based band, Eccentric Pendulum, is part of the line-up at the metal festival Bangalore Open Air. In a chat with us, Vibhas Venkatram, one of the band’s founders, talks about their early inspiration, and the sounds that are set to get louder and more progressive.
You’ve performed in India, as well as at some places abroad.What differences do you find between the Indian and the international scene regarding metal?
The current scene in India is very confined. I believe India is too judgmental and quite immature. While being judgmental is a good thing in some ways, it doesn’t help the genre to grow. There are still old-school genres persisting over here and metal hasn’t developed the way it has internationally.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
We were originally inspired by bands like Nevermore and Meshuggah — those were our beginnings.
What aspects of heavy metal make it so popular in India?
I think it’s the same aspects that make metal popular all around the world. There is a need to vent, that could be one. We currently have a small following. I hope it grows gradually.
Do you think it may be a political scene or social unrest in a region that engenders the need to vent?
It could be so many things. Political or social unrest could be one of the reasons, I suppose. What you need to do is put yourself in the shoes of the composer. There are so many reasons that a song could be written that way, and other people can just relate to it.
Tell us about your future ventures...
Well, the Bangalore Open Air is definitely one. We are competing in BOA and we’re pretty excited. We were the winners in Germany last year at the Wacken Open Air.
Contributed by Disha Mangsuli