Blizzard at Rastafa, Pune

BLIZZARD, the first edition of TheStormbringer ‘s Metal Allegiance between Mumbai & Pune, an extreme metal fest uniting the metal fraternity of the two cities.

SCEPTRE – Sceptre-India has been around since 15 years – it’s truly been among the pioneers of extreme metal in the country. Moreover, it has released not one but two full length albums, something that few bands in India can lay claim to. The band has braved line-up changes and maintained a solid reputation where it comes to playing live and kicking ass. 2014 is no different.
A Thrash Metal band since the 90s from Mumbai, Sceptre has released its latest album called ‘Age of Calamity’.

SYSTEMHOUSE 33 – The road has been long and winding for SystemHouse33, but the band finds itself stronger still, 10 years on. Born on September 22, 2003 at an “All India Aids Awareness Drive” in Nagpur, SystemHouse33’s music is an expression of the beliefs and experiences of the band and has evolved steadily over time.

The band has released the following music to its credit:

Discernment (2006)
Join the System (2008)
Thrive Live (2011)
Depths of Despair (2013)

The band plays an interesting blend of Thrash and groove with extreme influences from different styles, including Death Metal, incorporating atmospheric parts and artistic rendering to make it a notch above the rest in terms of musical expression and presentation.

Cruoris – Cruoris is a 5 piece death metal band form Pune. The band’s name literally means bloodshed in Latin and the music and lyrical themes are suitable with the title.
Since january 2013, the band has played a considerable amount of gigs, college headliners and has also participated in many competitions.

The music is an apt blend of old school death metal and new age death metal with several traces of slam, grind, black metal and tech – death.

Cruoris has speed driven drums with complex cymbal work combined with a slick finger styled bass play(Alex Webster inspired). The guitars have complex riff structures and intimidating leads topped off by deep guttural vocals, squeals and death growls.

Cruoris has one independently released single, “Shit Theory”. The people involved in the production of this track are Amrut Sathe, Harshad Sathe and Raunak Runwal at Thought Plate Records, Pune. The single got aired in Norway on Radio Rox at the INFERNO METAL FESTIVAL NORWAY amongst other international bands.

CONSECRATION – Formed in October 2011 . Consecration try to describe the music mostly as just metal but bring in some influences from jazz and blues into the melodies. One of Pune’s unique acts that play a blend of modern metal styles with the sensibilities of progressive masterminds like Dream Theater. Crushing, yet soulful, they are sure to get your fists up high as you mosh and air guitar to their music. Their aim is to keep playing live and possibly increase their fan base but also at the same time just have a stubborn attitude and keep doing this till the fans or they themselves get tired because this is what they love. They have a huge surprise in store for their fans so be sure not to miss this one!

ANARCHY – Anarchy has been playing since sept 2013 and recently had their debut gig at December Demolition,Wakad. Just the day before they competed with other popular metal acts of Pune at V Indiafest and were runners up. These guys had a very impressive debuts as per any standards, their set at Demolition had a mosh pit on all of their songs and the band’s facebook page had over 300 likes within 48hrs of going live. This is one band to watch out for once they get set in the scene.

EXISTENCE FAILED – Existence Failed plays an amalgamation of Modern Metal, which can be best described as Groove-laced rhythm structures, melodic interludes and powerful vocals, sprinkled with polyrhythms and massive low end chugging. The name of the band draws its inspiration from the futile over-estimation by man, of himself as a specie. The Band name questions our function in the larger scheme of things i.e. universe. Thus, the name Existence Failed. The band after their formation on 18th March,2010 has played gigs with respected acts such as Pitch Black Symphony, AbraXas, Noiseware,Chronic Phobia and Dark Helm etc.The band also opened for Two international Acts namely, Orphaned Land and Degredead in Pune.