Nobody said playing original metal music in India was going to be a walk in the park, especially in a place like Mumbai, where people bow down in awe to bands for covering their favourite rock tracks. Even the metal genre is not spared, with bands such as Sceptre covering bands like Metallica, Megadeth, etc. But, one band that has shunned the ‘fan appeal’ , but yet not shunned the ‘fan appeal’ with their OCs is Metakix. A band that has gone through several line up changes and could have their very own ‘Some Kind of Monster’ with scandals galore and the varieties of pickle they have faced, they have yet managed to go strong, 10 years since their origin. A small band that started off in Vashi, has now gone on to tour Europe extensively and open for Sepultura in Bangalore. Not only did the slimy fuckers get to share a dressing room with Sepultura, they also managed to receive plenty of accolades and were spotted by our metal paparazzi, (which comprises of around 3-4 journalists) sharing a few drinks with them.

The Metakix (or ‘kix’ as they like to be called) sound has changed drastically from their first album ‘Headlines’ (2002) to their second album ‘Connect and Inspire’. Metakix’s music is very versatile and transcends genres, but I think it’d be a safe bet to call them a thrash/speed metal band. They have a very unique sound with chunky and heavy guitar riffing to some pounding bass lines and some thudding drum beats by Sheldon. The vocals given by ‘Zomb’ is a mixture of distorted vocals and clean vocals. I love the fact that every now and again Metakix throws in a power ballad or two along with some unique effects and some deep lyrics which reach out straight to the audiences. Even though critics might not rate Zomb particularly highly as a vocalist/ guitarist, they certainly can’t have any qualms about his phenomenal song writing abilities which have given them an iconic status in the Indian metal circle.

There have been around 10 members over the last decade , but maybe the only ex-members worth mentioning are ex-drummer JP and ex-bassy Holy who contributed a large chunk to Metakix’s unique sound. The current line up consists of Zomb on vocals/guitar, Viresh on guitar, Nicky on bass & backup vocals and Sheldon on drums!!

One nonchalant glance at their recordings on Myspace and their CDs and you’d think that this band really knows how to kick some thrash into the metal with their pulsating guitar leads and high intensity BPM!! What I also like about Metakix is that they are never afraid to slow down the tempo of the song when required, only to break into some fast paced metal later on. It would be very interesting to see them induct a keyboardist to the band, and I think it could only do them good, rather than harm since they have a habit of composing power ballads. Their musical influences have a big bearing on their music. Traces of Megadeth can be noticed in some of Metakix’s stuff from Headlines. Their other influences are Alice In Chains, Black Sabbath old skool Metallica, Slayer, Faith No More.

Metakix has played various gigs all over the country in Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Hyderabad, Bangalore amongst other cities and have received wide spread praise for their originality and staggering stage presence. Following the success of the Metakix’s single She’s The Incubus on the DeepThroat compilation the band has also been approached by record labels from countries like Brazil, UK and Singapore for distribution of their album. They released their first major album in 2002 called Headlines which definitely made the headlines in our rock Scene. The best tracks on the CD are ‘Ocean Man’ and ‘High’ which are both headbanger’s delights. Metakix would keep taking hiatuses every now again due to problems in the band which made them give ex-bassist Holy, the axe and made JP(also ex-Demonic drummer) eventually leave Metakix.

The next album which went platinum and renewed Metakix’s status of the pioneers of modern day Indian metal was ‘Connect and Inspire’ which definitely did the needful with their fans as suggested in the title. I’ve listened to this album quite a few times and even though it takes time to grow on you, once it does, it leaves those annoying indentations in your head that leave their mark. You know the ones that keep getting replayed over and over again in your head so much, that you cant get sleep at night? Ya , those! This album is a must for every Metalhead’s CD collection. Along with the album artwork , I think the production of this album is phenomenal. No wonder its always sold out whenever I pay my monthly visit to Furtados to service my guitar. The album meta-KIX(excuse the pun) off with ‘Back in The Zone’ which is a 7 and half minute song which really kicks some serious butt with its guitar licks throughout the song. My only criticism is Zomb needs to enunciate so we can understand what he’s trying to say. Other songs worth mentioning are You’re bloody right which talks about the voice of conscience from the mind of a person who’s done wrong and mocks him/her when falling deep down by saying, “Oh how bloody right you’ve been in life!”. A music video has been shot and aired for this song regularly on VH1 Headbangers Ball on Thursday night/Friday morning at 12.30 am. Duff Stereo Groove is an angry song which has some vicious lyrics loaded with satire as always. The song is laden with beast like riffs; a raga-solo and colourful vocal lines all riding a mid-tempo groovy drum-bass section. What really shows Meta’s versatility is ‘Lonestar’, a power ballad which starts off slowly and picks up later on which has a harmonized Indian feel to it! Just when you’re thinking that the variety is astounding, they further confirm that by kickin some blues-metal on Pay Day Blues! The most refreshing thing about Metakix is they do not incorporate fast speedy solos just for the sake of it, but add some solos when needed and most of them have plenty of melody, structure and feeling to them.

Even though Metakix is highly regarded in the rock circuit, they have plenty of detractors as well. Their biggest criticism is that they are all over the place when they are playing live. The timing seems to be off live and the vocals sound horribly off-key at their live shows. I honestly think Zomb does not have the greatest of growls and he should cut down on his highly distorted vocals. Other points of criticism they face is that they go missing every now and again and are not seen flaunting their abilities as often as other bands. All in all Metakix is one of those bands you can either ‘love’ or ‘love to hate’, just like any other metal band. For me though, they are one of the best Indian Metal Studio bands out there because they have the all-round package and adrenaline pumping energy (just ask me, I’m writing this article at 3.45 AM ) that gives them that cutting edge over the others. So follow me and join the Metakix revolution cause when you do, you know ‘YOU’RE BLOODY RIGHT!’

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Rooshabh Doshi is a student from H.R.College. His writing exploits began in 2005 when he interned for ‘The Afternoon’ after which he was hired as sports reporter for the magazine ‘Switch-Outsource This’. Rooshabh is a rock enthusiast, a critic and the vocalist/guitarist of ‘Down Up Down Dowm’. For him rock and metal music is neither a hobby, nor a passion, nor an obsession , but religion and life.