#33: Dark Helm
On the extreme side of things, the Indian Sub-continent is well represented.
Background Info (Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives):
Country of origin: India
Location: Pune, Maharashtra
Status: Active
Formed in: 2008
Genre: Middle Eastern Folk/Deathcore (early); Progressive Death Metal (later)
Lyrical themes: Ancient Persia (early); Anti-religion (later)
Current label: Unsigned/independent
Years active: 2008-present
Dark Helm’s use of ethnic instruments, the santoor particularly, is more extensive compared to other bands with similar sound and cultural origin. The fusion is actually pretty solid and seamless. The heaviness and darkness of death metal and the light meditative tone of the santoor do not contradict each other at all. The experience gets more exciting when additional instruments like the tanpura and tabla get into the mix, particularly in songs like Cilice.
Favorite Albums:
- Persepolis (2011)
Favorite Songs:
- Sands Within (Persepolis)
- Borrowed Time (Persepolis)
- Cilice (Hymnus de Antitheist; 2018)
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