On December 1st 1998, four metal-heads got together to play the music of their choice, music which was just music at the end of the day, but still was so much more than just music. Enter Sceptre. Ten years on, Sceptre have not lost sight of what got them started. During this period, they have earned themselves a demigod status in the Indian metal scene, having fans right from the backwaters to the Khardung La pass. 2008 saw the release of their eagerly awaited debut album ‘Now or Never’.
The album comes to dawn with the instrumental appetizer Oceans of Dreams. The song follows a simple line which joins almost symmetrically with each break. The track breaks open into the hell raiser Incomplete. Teemeer’s vocals on the track draw heavily from early thrash bands, while the instruments are a good mix of the old and new schools of metal.
The title track has got a very rhythmic vibe to it. Its compulsive riffs aided by its lyrics seem to stick on to one’s head even after a while. The band have tried to fuse some varying sub genres of metal, and tried to bring them all together on the same plate. For instance, on Enemy, Teemeer has tweaked the vocals a bit, to broaden the horizon of the album and avoid redundancy.
Though the band may have takers for the mix of sounds they have adopted, it is clearly in playing good old conventional thrashy metal where the band’s prowess lies. Quicksand and Revolt, both contain excellent formulas for some foot stomping and head banging. The tracks are good examples of how tight the band is as a whole. Teemeer for one sounds exceptional on both the songs.
Charred, in spite of having a solid backing section is one of the weakest tracks on the album. It just doesn’t manage to cut the cake, as the vocals get quite vexatious after the first minute or so of the song.
One of the key points that made the band famous around India was how good they were in the technical aspects. Enemy showcases drummer Aniket Waghmode’s talent, as he works his way through some interesting patterns, while the slower and softer songs Search and Circles of Silence, feature some nice guitar work from Gilroy and Teemeer.
For a band that is reckoned as an ace Megadeth and Metallica cover band, Sceptre have done a lot for themselves by releasing this album. ‘Now or Never’ is an excellent debut by a band, which rightfully enjoys the respect it receives. One should have their fingers crossed, that this is the first of many albums to hear from Sceptre.
Rishi Agarwal is a student of finance and is a multi genre guitarist. He likes playing with his dog, christened Elvis after The King. He lives off the likes of Hendrix and Clapton , and aspires to one day jam with John Mclaughlin of The Mahavishnu Orchestra.
Comments
11 comments. Add your own comment below.
Grey
Aug 29th, 2008 at 2:43 pm | #
For a band which has been around for 10 years NOW OR NEVER is a apt title for the dubute album . But the album marketing is very poor i guess, for a band which is realsing its debute album , it should have gone “blast” . But if you check thier myspace page , it so poor, they have put up just two songs ( charred and Nuclear ) and hardly got 200 plays on each , which doesn’t do justice. As for guys like us ( who are far far away ) it will be years to get this album because they are not up on Music yogi or CD baby yet . Im sure SCEPTRE is a awesome band , but lack of “online” promo’s is not doing any justice to this awesome band .
Tushar
Aug 29th, 2008 at 2:49 pm | #
All the songs are treat to your ears and mind My pers fav 4rm the album is Search….
Guys ,and keep the good work
Nikhil
Aug 29th, 2008 at 4:19 pm | #
Very nice album.. Circles of Silence is my favourite…. It is based on blasts in trains tht happened in 2006. The way its arranged.. damn good.
I have heard programmed drums versions of Nuclear.. Charred and a few more tracks from sceptre…
Aniket has done a very good job… and has shown clearly tht u can program drums.. but not the feel..
Teemeer’s vocals are good as hell…
loved all riffs
Keep it coming \m/
CCR
Sep 1st, 2008 at 9:42 am | #
It is up on Musicyogi. Here’s the link.
http://www.musicyogi.com/asp/idpndDetails.asp?albId=ALB7760
CD Baby should be out in about a week.
The official launch of the album is on the 5th at D’Ultimate at 8:00 with the launch of Brute Force as well.
Grey
Sep 2nd, 2008 at 1:19 am | #
This is awesome news !! Thanks !
Candida
Sep 3rd, 2008 at 8:28 pm | #
Well Guys I second you on that ,poor publicity . You guys must keep this in mind no band would love to see their debute album being poorly promoted . You need to question Counter Culture why have they not done justice to Sceptre . Why have they failed in doing their job . had they done the some to Vishal’s Band ? I have never seen a trash metal band sell White - Tee’s . Well I guess again you need to question Counter Culture records Why the goof - up . Now was that a deliberate attempt .
Tublu
Sep 4th, 2008 at 12:52 am | #
SHIT !!!!!! I can give your’ll drum lessons with Gopal ,Guitars with ravi and I’ll teach your’ll what it means to be more than a bathroom singer on stage.
Love,Peace and Light
2Blue to sing the blues
G
Sep 4th, 2008 at 1:51 am | #
Bathroom singer , who ? Teemeer ? Serious ?
Candida
Sep 4th, 2008 at 1:54 am | #
Hey Tublu ,
You have a Silent Ardent Fan Following & thats me .. I loved to see you on stage drowned in your act . ..Espically the Song Lizard King .
Well Tublu You Can Light Up the Stage . You sure to have fans following.
G
Sep 4th, 2008 at 2:00 am | #
Hey 2blu ,
Nice you know you started from a bathroom singer on stage . I heard that you are one of the few happy & GAY Men around Do you give lessons too. : )
Aditya
Dec 21st, 2008 at 1:58 pm | #
Are you guys kidding? “Now Or Never” SUCKS. “Sceptre” should’ve quit playing music when Amar Negi left. Or they should have released this album 10 years ago. Sucks.