Chennai’s small but significant metal cult gets a stage once again, with Brutal Carnage’s third edition. Three Chennai bands Vidyut, Godia and Fobia Demios will match pace with Mumbai-based Gutslit and Hyderbad’s Godless. The latter two are set to go on a European tour in September.
Brutal Carnage was started in December 2018 by Armaan RM and Manu Krishnan, who hoped to revive the metal scene in Chennai. “In 2014, talented metal bands started quitting this whole genre of music, and turning to EDM and rock,” says Manu, explaining why they started this group. Having seen the metal scene at the highest peak, it was disheartening for him as a musician to now see it fall. “We couldn’t find any real metal gig happening in the city; that was the main reason to start this revival,” says Armaan.
They picked the name ‘Brutal Carnage’ after Manu’s first band with guitarist Chandra Shekar.
“I had a lot of ideas in my head, and just a vague plan but Armaan helped me execute everything. He has a lot of knowledge about the metal scene not only in India but also internationally and underground,” says Manu. “I mostly listen to underground metal and though I don’t listen to Metallica and the old bands, I still have huge respect for them,” says Armaan.
Adding that Brutal Carnage doesn’t make much profit, Manu says, “It was never about the money, we don’t get a single penny out of this even. It’s all to give a fair chance to the metal bands in Chennai.”
In search for the new
Gutslit and Godless are internationally renowned; the latter, a death/thrash metal band, played in the Wacken Open Air in Germany — one of the world’s biggest metal festivals. Moreover, the two bands are close to Manu and helped him put this gig together. “Abbas Razvi, founder and bassist of Godless, and I have shared the same stage and performed together,” says Manu.
“Vidyut and Godia have been in the metal scene for more than five years and have seen all the ups and downs. They have been waiting for the right stage to play their music,” he adds.
Both Armaan and Manu spend their nights in search of new underground metal bands, and that is how they stumbled upon Fobia Demios. This will be the band’s debut performance. “I have never heard them perform but I am pretty sure that they are going to nail this gig,” he claims.
Brutal Carnage - Edition 3 will be held at Geoffrey’s, Arumbakkam on June 9 from 6.30 pm. Tickets, for ₹350 can be bought at the venue.