Rock music in Nepal started back since 70s/80s with the influence of the bands from the Western bands such as Beatles, Rolling Stones, Pink he Floyd etc.
n 1993, Cobweb from Patan released their debut album, which showcased their heavy metal andnd classic rock influences. Around late 90’s, a few songs from the band Drishty (formed by Iman B. Shah while in USA) hit the FM airwaves in a feew rock shows. It was probably the first ‘metal’ based ORIGINAL song by a Nepali band to get recorded and played on air. While in USA, Drishty recorded two albums in the bedroom studio setup by Iman B. Shah himself, but sadly, none of the albums were formally released. Mukti and Revival, which consisted one of the most senior rock/blues musicians, also released “Kalanki Ko Jam” in 2000. In the same period, Robin n Looza: also made it big in the rock scene.
There were of course already lots of other regular as well as “one gig” bands that were doing metal covers live. During the early and mid 90s, few Iron Maiden songs and Diamond Head’s "Am I Evil" were concert staples. Almost every hard rock show would have those two songs played by at least one band. It’s too bad that many such bands have never been documented properly.
Without a shred of doubt, Ugrakarma’s release of demo “Himalayan Metal of Death” can be termed as the monumental epoch of the starting of metal scene in Nepal. Of course there were already some bands playing metal in the concerts, but metal remained within the confines of concert hall walls.
The emergence of BMI Studios (otherwise known as Sacred Soundz) was an important event in the history of Metal in Nepal. The owner/engineer Iman B. Shah (Guitarist – Drishty and formerly of Vegetarian Vampires) was a ‘metalhead’ himself and was familiar with capturing the essence of metal - heavy riffs, thundering drums, thumping bass and deafening vocals – in the recording studio. Out of the few albums/songs that were ever recorded by local bands at that time, most of them like Ugrakarma’s "Himalayan Metal of Death", "Blood Metal Initiation" and Albatross’ "Hi : Fly" were done at BMI/Sacred Soundz. The existence of a ‘metal’ recording studio opened up a lot of avenues for future bands trying to cut a record or a demo.
By the time Ugrakarma finally released their full length album “Blood Metal Initiation“ around 2001, there were already a horde of bands in the valley playing quite a range of metal music. Several band contests, where an original was mandatory to compete, also fueled the new bands to seek the creativity within them and come up with something imperative. While such contests more than often yielded 9 pop bands for every metal band, it still was a very significant step forward. More gigs were being organized, and more bands emerged. But the difference between these gigs and the gigs 5 years ago was monumental – these new bands were playing their own songs. One of those bands was Refused 13 from Nakhipot, Lalitpur. The band had played their first gig opening for Dead Soul (on Metallica Anthology Concert, 2001). The band started creating a formidable reputation in the valley as a very “tight” metal band with an in-your-face attitude, conceived by many as the band to pick metal where Dead Soul had left and then elevate the scene into another level. During the band’s active years, the band organized another memorable gig “Keep Suffering” at Nakhipot.
Anuraag Pokhrel, former vocalist of Albatross on the band says, “Refused 13 was definitely a force - the band and the persona of the band. I still remember that when they would walk into a concert, I would try to look at them without getting caught, because they were Refused13 and they looked like hardcore badasses that would kill you if you looked at them wrong”.
Another noteworthy band that pushed the underground scene upward from obscurity was Nastik. Formed in the late 2001, Nastik became the new leader among the metal bands, solely because of the use of growling vocals (aided by the fact that even though Ugrakarma is the first DM band, they really never performed live). Nastik released a self titled demo album on 2002, which featured “Maukil” – a fan favorite song in concerts. Nastik then released “Judge Death” – an all out death metal album on 2003. However, as in many other cases, the album was never released officially but fans had their own ways to get their hands on the album.
Third World Chaos’s four song EP “Inferno” was released in 2003 which is significant in the terms that it introduced hardcore influenced metal into Kathmandu’s scene. During the active days, TWC performed regularly in concerts with Nastik and X-mantra and helped the scene to become stronger.
The release of X-mantra’s debut album “Crying For Peace” in 2003 hit the underground metal scene like a tsunami and created an astonishing aftermath. Their “No Cover Songs in Gigs” code created an astounding impact among other active bands in the scene. Several bands started performing originals who gradually realized that performing decent originals was more important than doing any magnificent cover songs. “Shalik” and “Chidiya Ghar” became new anthems in the metal concerts. In simple words, X-mantra did it. What Cobweb stood for the mainstream rock scene in Nepal, X-mantra proudly stood for the metal and underground scene in Nepal. Anuraag Pokhrel (ex-Albatross): “Even though the album "Crying for Peace" is 50% crap and the band eventually lost it, the other half of the album that does work is too well-done and too innovative to ignore. I think "Crying for Peace" paved the way for a more noise-receptive audience than there would have been otherwise.” Until their philosophical demise and in an attempt to garner commercial limelight by changing the direction, X-mantra’s first two albums (the second one being “Kurshi”, 2004) set a standard in the Nepali Metal history – proving that it was possible to fuse aggression in the almost poetic styled Nepali lyrics with riff based groovy metal.
The year 2003 saw the recording of a song titled “Itihaas” by Maya. With a strong black metal style riffing and probably the strongest lyrics ever in the whole Nepali music scene, Maya had an admirable influence on the next generation of Black Metal bands like Beyond, Antim Grahan and Cruentus.
The same year, members of Nastik and Albatross also joined forces as Abattoir and recorded a self titled album before disbanding.
At the end of 2004, the bands like Ugrakarma, Nastik, TWC, Albatross, Refused 13 and X-mantra were either permanently inactive, had disbanded or had moved away from the underground scene. By 2005, a group of more powerful bands such as Antim Grahan, Cruentus, Muga:, Brutal, Holocaust, and Breeding Pestilence started to bring new and innovative stuff into the scene. And later, bands like Epitaph, Morgoth and Vhumi forged new styles into the scene.
With an almost apocalyptic name for a band, Antim Grahan then quickly grabbed the attention of the scene. Individually, the band members were just a bunch of average musicians, however as a band, their live performance lacked no stature – it was tight, powerful and inspiring. With the release of EP “Forever Winter” in the early 2005 was a bold testimony of their brand of symphonic black metal. Without wasting much time just after three months, Antim Grahan released their full length album “Tales of the Darkened Woods”. Recorded and mixed in the Sacred Soundz, this album was one of the best produced metal albums - able to capture the atmosphere and aggression of black metal.
Cruentus started as a metal cover band playing generally Sepultura on concerts. Their choice of music gradually shifted towards black metal and eventually Cruentus started covering Immortal, Amon Amarth, Graveworm and so on. Just like Antim Grahan, the band took the underground scene into the next level as the band started performing originals in the concerts. The band gained a huge sense of respect in the underground community as one of the most tightest live bands in Ktm – majorly because of the talented band members, twin vocals and most importantly because of originality in the scene. And, Cruentus had Allan Shrestha on drums, THE best drummer ever in the underground scene!
Cruentus recorded their EP “Massacre of the Holy Ones” in 2004 and later in 2005, recorded a full length album, “Asantusta Aatma” – another milestone in the history of Nepali Metal History. Ashantusta Aatma, the album featured rawness and aggression of black metal with a touch of death metal and the title song became a new anthem in the metal concerts.
Holocaust was a pure death metal outfit while Breeding Pestilence is credited for introducing technical death metal to the scene. At the same time, Blood Blisters were creating a strong following with in Patan, Lalitpur area. Blood Blisters started out as a cover band playing Iron Maiden exclusively. The band also took parts in several band competitions - increasing their popularity - and inspiring some new bands in Patan like Morceous, Metalbox and Bequeath.
The year 2006 saw the formation of one of the super group projects – the progressive metal band Atomic Bush. Formed by the members of Breeding Pestilence, Ozzobozo and Elysium – Atomic Bush propelled the scene into a new and interesting frontier of progressive, virtuoso and eclectic metal. They had recorded an album called "P Jam".
The year 2007 was a great year for local underground as well with the releases of “Barbaric Regulation” (Epitaph) and “The Last Verse of Madness” (Morgoth/Lost Oblivion).
When it comes to rock and heavy metal bands in Pokhara, it goes far back to the early 90's when there were bands like Vagabond and Anamnesis. These bands mostly covered Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, UFO, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, and Metallica to name few. These two bands are believed to have set the heavy metal scene in Pokhara. Vagabond also released an album with Music Nepal. Vivax and Milestone were also notable names from the Pokhara scene. Bands such as Grease and Numskull who are credited for starting grunge/punk movement.
The Current Scene
The present mainstream music scene in Nepal includes bands like 1974 AD, The Shadows, Nepathya, Mukti and Revival, etc. and the long-running Cobweb. An indie rock scene has also emerged, with punk bands like "Rai Ko Ris"(www.raikoris.com), with singer and bass player Sareena Rai, leading the way to a nascent DIY movement.
In 2009, rock artist Diwas Gurung, along with his bandmates, Ayurveda, released "Rato Mato" at The Nines in Ithaca, New York. "Rato Mato" is a collection of NeoNepalese folk songs that has been well received in both the United States and Nepal. Rato Mato is widely available and active online through sites as LastFm, ReverbNation, and Ayurveda's myspace.
KtmROCKS (ktmrocks.com) has/had been one of the upmost factors in driving and supporting the local underground scene, since 2001. KtmROCKS used to release magazines but it got stopped after 13 issues. Currently, KtmROCKS issues E-Mags instead.
Metal band such as Vhumi, on the other hand, is regarded as the significant band that started playing melodic death metal style. The band has become one of the most consistent and active bands in the underground scene. Similarly, Epitaph (now inactive) had pummeled the scene with a new breed of metal – death/thrash. Bitter Euphemism has stepped up a notch into the realm of brutal/technical death metal, while bands like Arachnids, Morgoth, Prakanda Bimba, Cryptic Violence, The Time, Ushma Weg, Night, Binaash, Kaalbhairav, Wings of Spasm, Black Sins Immortal, Rage Hybrid, Horny Monks, Garudh, Hatebook, Psychic Tower,Vomiting Snakes, , Spells of Prophecy, have contributed in their own way to the scene.
Lately, an art/alternative rock supergroup named Jindabaad is formed, with ex-members of Atomic Bush, Karmavalanche, Baking Space Cake and Ushma Weg. The band is set to release their album in early 2011. A new new-wave thrash metal project called E.quals is also formed, by members of Lost Oblivion and Vhumi. E.quals represented Nepal in the Global Battle of Bands 2010 and won 6th place.
The year 2010 had been a great one for the local metal scene. Kryptos (heavy metal, India), Enigmatik (death metal, Switzerland) and The Motherockers Gang (hard rock, Switzerland) had also played in the country.
Kutumba is by far one of the most appreciated band in the Nepal's music scene to date. With all the bands having their own reasons to play a certain genre and style of music, kutumba artistically reflects Nepal's culture and tradition with their folk tunes. Kutumba is a folk instrumental ensemble, group of seven professionals from Kathmandu. Having come together for the preservation of their culture and art, Kutumba wishes to spread love and joy of Nepali folk music throughout the world.". http://kutumba.com.np/bio.html
Different festivals in different genres of music are also held in Kathmandu. "Himalayan Blues Festival" is the biggest blues festival in Nepal. Different known artists like Baba Richie & the Raags (Sweden), Hans Theessink (Austria), Jose Luis Pardo (Spain), Magnus Rosen (Sweden), Oliver Mally and Martin Gasselsberger (Austria), Robert Owen Campbell (Australia), Tere Estrada (Mexico), Brad Kava (USA) were part of this festival in 2010. Another big festival in Nepal is "Jazzmandu" featuring many international jazz artistes.
A very few level of involvement can be seen from the so called senior musicians and bands (of 1980s or 1990s) on the current scene. However few inspirations, motivations and guidance remain (Respect!). Fronted by two inspiring “senior” guitarists Iman B. Shah and Deep S. Rana, HMG-Ministry of Rock, even though a strictly heavy metal cover band till now, helped motivate a new generation of young guys into playing music.
Kathmandu and rock music
The Kathmandu valley is the musical center of rock, blues and metal scene in Nepal. Many new Metal bands has emerged around in Kathmandu valley since the KtmRocks started. Most of these bands are highly influenced by the foreign metal. These bands play gigs from time to time in the underground scene. These days metal Jazz and Blues has been highly appreciated by the Nepali music lovers. Upstairs Ideas is promoting the Jazz scene in Nepal Along with Cadenza. The rock, Blues, Jazz and metal scenes are evolving in Nepal with much improvement in quality and performance. Many bands emerged after the 20th century with genres like alternative, progressive, punk, etc. but most of the bands are unable to exist in the musical environment of Nepal.
The most prominent Rock artists/band in Nepal are 1974 AD, Nepathya, Mukti and Revival, Robin (of Robin and Looza) and the new revolution, Looza (minus Robin), etc. New artists are emerging with the emergence of media. shanon Scam is on the rise due to their hardcore punk music.
KUTUMBA On the other hand Kutumba is by far one of the most appreciated band in the Nepal's music scene to date. With all the bands having their own reasons to play a certain genre and style of music, kutumba artistically reflects Nepal's culture and tradition with their folk tunes. "Kutumba is a folk instrumental ensemble, group of seven professionals from Kathmandu.Having come together for the preservation of their culture and art, Kutumba wishes to spread love and joy of Nepali folk music throughout the world.".
JINDABAAD Lately, an art/alternative rock supergroup named Jindabaad is formed, with ex-members of Atomic Bush, Karmavalanche, Baking Space Cake and Ushma Weg. They are termed to be one of the greatest bands in the current scene. The band is currentyl inactive with Rohit Shakya (vocals) going abroad to study sound engineering.
E.QUALS A new new-wave thrash metal project called E.quals is also formed by members of Lost Oblivion and Vhumi. E.quals represent Nepal in the Global Battle of Bands 2010. Alongside, a number of nu metal/rock bands have emerged in the underground scene like Stairs of Cirith, Spells of Prophecy, Wings of Spasm, Antim Grahan, Binaash,Divine Influence, Psychic Tower, KaalBhairav, Horny Monks, Black Sins Immortal, etc."
