Friday, November 27, 2009

The Student’s Prayer

Don’t impose on me what you know,

I want to explore the unknown

And be the source of my own discoveries.

Let the known be my liberation, not my slavery.

The world of your truth can be my limitation;

Your wisdom my negation.

Don’t instruct me; let’s walk together.

Let my richness begin where yours ends.

Show me so that I can stand

On your shoulders.

Reveal yourself so that I can be

Something different.

You believe that every human being

Can love and create.

I understand, then, your fear

When I ask you to live according to your wisdom.

You will not know who I am

By listening to yourself.

Don’t instruct me; let me be.

Your failure is that I be identical to you.”

Umberto Maturana

Alive from the Krypt!

http://kryptosindia.com/player/kryptosmusicplayer.html

Thursday, November 26, 2009

KRYPTOS


With over a decade under their belts and considered by many to be one of the pioneers of the burgeoning metal underground in India, Kryptos has spearheaded the steady rise of Indian heavy metal over the years.
Formed in late 1998, Kryptos has strived to create original, melodic metal, which combines the aesthetics of 80s thrash and pure melodic metal. Influenced by the likes of Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden along with heavy hitters like Coroner, Kreator, Candlemass, Dark Tranquillity and Nevermore, Kryptos manage to channel these influences into a sound that is all their own.
In 2004, Kryptos released their debut album Spiral Ascent, which quickly spread through the underground circuit of India as well as countries like Germany, Argentina and other parts of Europe. Featuring incredible cover art by Dark Tranquillity's Niklas Sundin, the album was a tour de force of gritty melodic heavy metal.
Bursting at the seams with classic riffs, catchy melodies and inspired songwriting, Spiral Ascent helped garner a whole new legion of dedicated fans from all over the country and other parts of the world. With the success of their first album, Kryptos headlined scores of gigs and festivals and showed the nation why they are one of the most intense and powerful live acts to ever emerge from the subcontinent.
In April 2006, Kryptos signed with Old School Metal Records from California, U.S.A, and became the first metal band from India to be signed by an international label. The band entered the studios later that year to record the highly anticipated follow up to their debut album, and finally emerged in mid-2008 with their storming second album, The Ark Of Gemini.
Raising the ante in every way possible, The Ark Of Gemini bursts with metallic power and passion. From the unbridled ferocity of lead single Heretic Supreme to the crushing behemoth Tower Of Illusions, The Ark Of Gemini is a cerebral and devastating ride through metal's deepest recesses and celestial peaks.
While the album has been winning accolades from all over the planet, Kryptos has landed endorsement deals with Mapex Drums, ESP Guitars (both through Furtados Music), and more recently, Vic Firth Drumsticks. Kryptos also earned a coveted supporting slot for the mighty IRON MAIDEN at Rock'n India 2009.
Kryptos are now set to take their incendiary live act to all parts of the world and leave a trail of spinal damage in their wake!



Undying: adj. 1.immortal. 2.unending. 3.that which cannot die. [existing in spiritual, form, dead but animate.] Inc: abvr. incorporate; v / incorporated; adj. 1.form into one body or whole. 2 intr. To become incorporated, form one corporation. 3.combine (ingredients) into one substance. [based on Late Latin, incorporatus; 'embodied']

Undying Inc, a combination of two different words that form a common ideology. To create something that cannot be destroyed and that which is an explosive mix of various influences and ingredients. Aband known for making some of the most overwhelming heavy music in today's metal scene! Combining a lethal blend of high speed thrash riffing, aggressive hardcore breakdowns and death metal technicality with shades of math metal interplay, Undying Inc create a sound they can proudly call their own!

The band has been around since 2004 and has been consistently building a formidable reputation. Relentless intensity, sharp twists; rapid changes and fluid gear shifting make their music a lesson in monumental grind like ferociousness. The result is crushing! Like adrenaline in the bloodstream, UNDYING INC is at once powerful, explosive and yet abstract. UI live is a wrecking ball, having honed their destructive skills to such an extent, that violent mosh-pits break out at even the smallest venues they play. The release of the first demo ”Existence Failure E.P”in 2005; was followed by their first album “Preface to Erase”” in Dec 2006.
The album consisted 7 songs and brought forward Undying Inc as an uncompromising and original metal act. The whole album was self produced and published under their home label, Undead Noise Records. Shortly after the release, original vocalist Amitabh left to honour other commitments. The summer of 2007 also saw the departure of long-time drummer Sangyt; thus leaving founder members Biz (Guitars) and Reuben (bass) to plot the next path in the second chapter of the band. After many auditions, the new and current line up was completed with Shashank (ex-Hollowcaust) joining on Vocals and Yuvraj (ex- Elixir, Inherited Curse and Nightmare on Elm Street) claiming the drum throne. Amidst all of this turmoil, the sound of the band further developed with more intricate layers, influences, technique & groove emerging.
With a new line-up and new ideas Undying Inc are all set to obliterate everything with another aural assault of pure and punishing heavy music with their new album ”“The Evilution Of AManimal”. The album preview with 3 new tracks was put out to fans in July08 on the band’s myspace page causing heavy ripples in the underground.
Here is music that will make you want to spit into the treacherous facets of life, burn everything you hate and choke-hold the world you live in!

Right from its inception in early 2000, DR has been raising eyebrows. Even with its unstable lineup till 2003 the band released its debut album just 9months after forming. While the album was amateurish it was the 1st for an Indian Metal band to independently release a CD. The album however did receive some praise from the local fans as well as few small underground zines and distro’s after it was re-recorded and released in 2001 with Demonstealer on vocals/guitars, Nikita on vocals/keys, Aditya aka Count Varathora on Bass and Yash on Drums.

However, in 2003 this lineup was dissolved and the band was reborn with the Demonstealer on guitars/vocals, Husain on bass, Mephisto ..s and JP on drums. With this line-up the band wrote new material and in 2005 released their highly acclaimed album ‘A Darkness Descends’ on Demonstealer Records. The album received rave reviews from many metal websites including a 9/10 from The Metal Observer. In 2006, Pradeep joined the band as lead guitarist while drummer JP parted ways. As the band struggled to find a permanent replacement for JP in April 2007 they recorded their EP ‘Beyond The Darkness’ with Demonstealer taking over the drum duties in the studio as well. Finally in July 2007 the band found a permanent replacement in skin slammer Viru. Since then DR has been touring the country extensively and writing new material for their next full length due for release at the end of 2008 sometime.
…. And the resurrection continues……

AC/DC


AC/DC are an Australian rock band formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Although the band are commonly classified as hard rock and are considered a pioneer of heavy metal, they have always classified their music as rock and roll. AC/DC underwent several line-up changes before releasing their first album, High Voltage, in 1975. Membership remained stable until bassist Mark Evans was replaced by Cliff Williams in 1977. The band recorded their highly successful album Highway to Hell in 1979. Lead singer and co-songwriter Bon Scott died on 19 February 1980, after a night of heavy alcohol consumption. The group briefly considered disbanding, but soon ex-Geordie singer Brian Johnson was selected to replace Scott. Later that year, the band released their best-selling album, Back in Black.
The band's next album, For Those About to Rock We Salute You, was their first album to reach number one in the United States. AC/DC declined in popularity soon after drummer Phil Rudd was fired in 1983 and was replaced by future Dio drummer Simon Wright. Phil Rudd returned in 1994 (after Chris Slade was asked to leave in favour of him) and contributed to the band's 1995 album Ballbreaker. Stiff Upper Lip was released in 2000 and was well received by critics. The band's most recent album, Black Ice, was released on 20 October 2008

SOMEWHERE IN TIME


These are some of the hidden messages within the Somewhere In Time artwork. Some of them are well hidden, others are not. The easiest way to see all of the hidden messages is too look at the vinyl version of the album as the CD is much smaller and cuts lots of the detail from the art.

  • Ruskin Arms reference (old pub they started playing at)
  • Clock says 23:58 (2 Minutes To Midnight)
  • West Ham 7 Arsenal 3 - soccer score, showing their favorite team West Ham well in the lead. Incidentally, West Ham are THE IRONS
  • Aces High bar, complete with a spitfire flying above
  • The Rainbow bar (another old club they frequented in the early days)
  • Live After Death, Blade Runner on the movie theater
  • The movie theater is the Philip K. Dick cinema, who is the author of "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” on which the movie Blade Runner is based.
  • Marquee Club (another old club they frequented in the old days)
  • Phantom Opera House
  • "Bollocks again and again" under "Phantom Opera House". This might be a reference to the hidden "Bollocks" message on the Powerslave cover ('Bollokz is written on the wall in the bottom right of the Powerslave cover)
  • Ancient Mariner Seafood Restaurant
  • Herbert Ails on the overpass (probably a reference to Frank Herbert, author of DUNE, who wouldn't allow Maiden to use it as a song title)
  • "Tonight GYPSY'S KISS", under the 23:58 sign (hard to see) - reference to Steve Harris' very first band
  • Hammerjacks - a reference to one of the band's favorite bars in the US,
  • Hammerjacks Night Club in Baltimore, MD. The Night Club closed on Jan 1 94.The concert hall is still open, however.
  • Long Beach Arena
  • Nicko is dressed in old-time flight goggles (reference to him being a pilot).
  • Nicko is also wearing a shirt saying: "Iron What?"
  • On the back cover there is Icarus falling from the Sun with burning wings in the top right corner, in front of the Bradbury Hotel. This of course refers to "The Flight Of Icarus."
  • The "Bradbury Hotels International" sign - is this possibly a reference to the popular futuristic author Ray Bradbury (author of such classics as "The Martian Chronicles", "Ice Nine", etc.)?
  • If you look closely, you can see the shadow of the reaper on the back cover in front of the pyramids.
  • The pyramids refer to the sleeve of "Powerslave"
  • All the Japanese around the covers could be connected to "Maiden Japan" and IRON MAIDEN's other performances there.
  • "Maggies revenge" on the back cover refers to Margaret Thatcher. She and the British government had a dispute with IRON MAIDEN back in 1980/1981 with the "Sanctuary" and "Women In Uniform" singles, depicting her as dead on the ground (killed by Eddie, of course) and hiding behind a wall observing Eddie picking up chicks, respectively.
  • The street Eddie is standing on is Acacia Avenue, a reference of course to "Charlotte the Harlot" and "22 Acacia Avenue", the Charlotte series.(You can see this above the IRON MAIDEN poster on the extreme right side)
  • In one of the windows on Acacia Avenue, you can see a girl (supposedly Charlotte the Harlot herself) sitting in a chair.
  • Bruce Dickinson is holding a brain, ala PIECE OF MIND.
  • Tehe's bar is where they got the guys to sing backup vocals in the sing-along part in "Heaven Can Wait."
  • Batman standing under Tehe's bar sign
  • Tardis from Dr. Who is above the Rainbow Club sign
  • Asimov Foundation Building in background
  • Tyrell Corp. right above the causeway (replicant manufacturer in Blade Runner)
  • Cat with halo, which seems to pop up all over the place
  • Eye of Horus above Webster sign to left of Eddie's gun
  • One of Eddie's eyes is actually a 'laser'. This probably comes from the "2 Minutes To Midnight single"
  • There is a litter box right under Eddie's left leg attached to the lamppost. This is exactly the same as the litter box attached to the light post on the IRON MAIDEN debut album, to the left of Eddie next to the wall.
  • There is a metal plate that connects Eddie's nose to the top of his head. If you look at the wall to the right of sign that has the football score on it, you will see that little metal plate with two screws that Eddie always has on his head (since the PIECE OF MIND era at least, when he was lobotomized. The screw is there now to keep his head all together in one piece! - Eddie got his brain back at the end of the Visions Of The Beast DVD).
  • There are also these neon signs, one of which says something in Hebrew, the other one in Russian. The Hebrew bit probably means "God" (?), the Russian bit is pronounced KEPHIR and means "yoghurt". This is (or rather was) a rather common sign on the buildings indicating a milk-store in Russia.
  • There are three people climbing down behind of Eddie at the Websters Bar as in the end of the 2 Minutes to Midnight video
  • There is a Sanctuary music shop under the Phantom Opera House Bar
  • This is a very boring painting - backwards message just behind Eddie's right leg

Iron Maiden


Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in East London, formed in 1975. The band is directed by founder, bassist and songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the group has released a collective total of thirty-five albums: fourteen studio albums, nine live albums, four EPs and eight compilations.
As pioneers of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Iron Maiden achieved success during the early 1980s and after several lineup changes, went on to release a series of platinum and gold albums. These include the US platinum-selling landmarks The Number of the Beast in 1982, Piece of Mind in 1983, Powerslave in 1984, the acclaimed live album Live After Death in 1985, Somewhere In Time in 1986, and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son in 1988. Their most recent studio effort, A Matter of Life and Death, was released in 2006 and peaked at number nine on the Billboard 200 and at number 4 in the UK. The album was certified gold in the UK. It is also one of the few rock albums to be certified platinum in India.
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, formed in 1969. Judas Priest's core line-up consists of bass player Ian Hill, vocalist Rob Halford and guitarists Glenn Tipton and K. K. Downing. The band has gone through several drummers, though Scott Travis has held the position since 1989. They have been cited as an influence on many heavy metal musicians and bands. Their popularity and status as one of the definitive heavy metal bands has earned them the nickname "Metal Gods" from their song of the same name. They have sold over 35 million albums worldwide.

BIOGRAPHY


With over a decade under their belts and considered by many to be one of the pioneers of the burgeoning metal underground in India, Kryptos has spearheaded the steady rise of Indian heavy metal over the years.

Formed in late 1998, Kryptos has strived to create original, melodic metal, which combines the aesthetics of 80s thrash and pure melodic metal. Influenced by the likes of Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden along with heavy hitters like Coroner, Kreator, Candlemass, Dark Tranquillity and Nevermore, Kryptos manage to channel these influences into a sound that is all their own.

In 2004, Kryptos released their debut album Spiral Ascent, which quickly spread through the underground circuit of India as well as countries like Germany, Argentina and other parts of Europe. Featuring incredible cover art by Dark Tranquillity's Niklas Sundin, the album was a tour de force of gritty melodic heavy metal.

Bursting at the seams with classic riffs, catchy melodies and inspired songwriting, Spiral Ascent helped garner a whole new legion of dedicated fans from all over the country and other parts of the world. With the success of their first album, Kryptos headlined scores of gigs and festivals and showed the nation why they are one of the most intense and powerful live acts to ever emerge from the subcontinent.

In April 2006, Kryptos signed with Old School Metal Records from California, U.S.A, and became the first metal band from India to be signed by an international label. The band entered the studios later that year to record the highly anticipated follow up to their debut album, and finally emerged in mid-2008 with their storming second album, The Ark Of Gemini.

Raising the ante in every way possible, The Ark Of Gemini bursts with metallic power and passion. From the unbridled ferocity of lead single Heretic Supreme to the crushing behemoth Tower Of Illusions, The Ark Of Gemini is a cerebral and devastating ride through metal's deepest recesses and celestial peaks.

While the album has been winning accolades from all over the planet, Kryptos has landed endorsement deals with Mapex Drums, ESP Guitars (both through Furtados Music), and more recently, Vic Firth Drumsticks. Kryptos also earned a coveted supporting slot for the mighty IRON MAIDEN at Rock'n India 2009.

Kryptos are now set to take their incendiary live act to all parts of the world and leave a trail of spinal damage in their wake!