Antim Grahan: Chronicles of a Dying God | Feature

On an unassuming summer afternoon, the small soundproofed room inside Kathmandu's Rec Studios is constantly being pummeled by the blistering sounds of drums as Antim Grahan's drummer Surya Pun warms up to start the recording of the band's hugely anticipated fifth studio album Putrefaction Eternity.

At the control booth, band members along with the sound engineer Sunit Kansakar start recording the dummy guitar tracks over metronome. When the dummies are done, Surya follows the metronome and starts blasting on his drum kits and finishes up tracks for four songs in an hour.

"Recording the drum part is very tiresome," front man Parash Shakya says. "It's harder for the drummer because he has to keep up with the metronome and not mess up any beats and timing." But Surya, one of the most talented extreme metal drummers of Kathmandu, finds it interesting enough and even adds little improvised pieces to the tracks.

The band has been following this same routine, composing new songs and rehearsing furiously in their practice room for the last four months. Today is not any different. It's going to be another long day at Rec Studios.

The Band

Antim Grahan has been reigning Kathmandu's underground metal scene for over eight years now. With this new album, the band is writing a new chapter in its history.

"We've been active here in the scene for all these years and despite a few changes in the line up, we are constantly playing live and cutting albums. Personally, I think it's a great accomplishment for an underground band to be able to persist this way," says Parash.

When the issue of band's persistence comes, especially in the underground scene, Antim Grahan is a good exapmle. It's hard to see a consistent band in Kathmandu's underground scene (or even Nepal in general). It's hard to find a band this resolute. There have been many bands, some very promising too. But most of them have withered into oblivion. Out of numerous one-gig bands, only a few showed determination and seriousness to stick around and continue playing. Some bands even turn their faces away from their original sound while aspiring for mainstream success. Sadly, music usually comes in the way of other 'profitable' career and responsibilities, and that's when a band crashes into musical crisis.

"We have to understand that this is not Europe or America where bands can survive and even do well financially by simply playing live, touring and selling records. Thus, we have to work on some alternative plans to keep our studies, work and families intact, and most importantly our musical passion alive," Parash adds.

Putrefaction Eternity

"The title of the album was suggested by Sunil Pant of Ugrakarma and it fits the type of genre we are focusing on this album. The songs have distinct grindcore and brutal death metal elements incorporated with black metal structures," explains Parash. "The lyrics too reflect the darkness, pain and grief surrounding the imminent putrefaction and slow destruction of human life."

The album cover, which was conceived and designed by Asmita Sirish, illustrates the severe morbidity of life – a woman screaming and waiting for death, with half of her body slowly decaying.

"This might sound too graphic and horrifying for non-metal listeners but death and decay are also a part of our lives and we are just being blatant about these facts through our lyrics and music," Shakya says.Some of their songs are Tearing Skin from Face, Chronicles of a Dying God and Spawns of the Bastard Realm.

Keyboard player Niraj further elaborates the band's intention, "We are not making this music to please listeners. We are definitely not trying to make a commercial career out of this, nor are we seeking acceptance from the fans or critics or media." To which guitarist Pankaj adds, "We are sure of the fact that there are avid fans and listeners who relate to our music and our passion. We hope they will keep supporting the band, buy our albums, and attend our gigs".

Release Plans

Once the recording process of the album ends, the band hopes to finish mixing and production by mid-July. Their fourth album The Ruin of Immortals created enough buzz to get inquires from several metal record labels in Europe and America, particularly Gore-kha Records from the US. Parash cannot hide his excitement and says, "Gore-kha will look after our distribution in America, Europe and South Africa; and hopefully we will get some recognition in the metal communities of those regions." The album will be released through ktmROCKS Records.

Until then, await the impending putrefaction!

Antim Grahan Vital Stats
From: Kathmandu
Formed: 2002
Label: ktmROCKS Records
Discography: Forever Winter (2004), Tales from the Darkened Woods (2005), In Thy Ambience of Malevolence (2007), The Ruin of Immortals (2009)
Current Members: Parash Shakya (vocals), Pankaj Shakya (guitar), Yudhir Gautam (guitar), Niraj Shakya (keyboard), Bhaskar Swar (bass) and Surya Pun (drums).