#16: Kartikeya
This band unironically uses metal’s chaotic energies to create music that can be meditative.
Background Info (Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives):
Country of origin: Russia
Location: Moscow
Status: Active
Formed in: 2005
Genre: Death/Black Metal with Folk influences (early); Groove/Death Metal with Folk influences (later)
Lyrical themes: Eastern mythology, Philosophy, Hinduism
Current label: Apathia Records
Years active: 2004–2005 (as Velial), 2005-present
Kartikeya’s use of Hindu mantras and themes, as well as the symphonic background in many of their tracks, contribute to an astral listening experience despite the presence of death metal blast beats and awesomely sick groove metal riffs (particularly the syncopations in Samudra). Although the use of non-conventional instruments is limited to a number of tracks, they do have a permanent percussionist who completes the band’s folk side in most of their material.
In Samudra, they use Indian instruments like the tanpura, mridangam, and I think I heard flutes in some of the songs (might be a venu from the Carnatic region of India).
Favorite Albums:
- Samudra (2017)
Favorite Songs:
- Sarva Mangalam (Mahayuga, 2011)
- He Who Carries the Head of Brahma (Mahayuga)
- Durga Puja (Samudra)
- The Golden Blades (Samudra)
- Kannada — Munjaaneedu Kumbaaranna (Samudra)
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