Motherjane

Motherjane are a progressive rock band from Cochin, Kerala. Now before your eyes go up in surprise, let me assure you that these guys are a real class act: They've been labeled Asia's No.1 Rock Act in 2009, both albums have been rated No.1 by Rolling Stones Magazine, Rock Street Journal and Unwind Center Live Awards. And after listening to them, Ive got to agree with the accolades heaped on them. Think of Dream Theater meeting Indian Classical/ Carnatic music, with Opeth harmonics thrown in for garnishing, and you've got Motherjane.

The band has released 2 albums, Insane Biography (2001) and Maktub (2008). Now I didnt get to listen to Insane Biography, but Maktub, quite literally, blew me away. These guys are quite unique; there's elements of all your progressive metal favourites, but their harmonics, time scales and riffs most closely resemble Opeth. Solos and Leads are played in a very veena like style, which is a hitherto unknown concept in the field of rock and metal, and definitely a good thing. And the vocalist, Suraj Mani is undoubtedly one of the most technically proficient vocalists I've heard. The influences of carnatic music vocals are clearly there.

Songs to look out for are Fields of Sound (Wonderful instrumental, and vocals to match), Broken (This song could give any Opeth song a run for its money, in terms of a bleak, dark and sorrowful theme) and Chasing the Sun. The band has quoted Opeth as an influence, and did open for Opeth at Saarang, IIT-C earlier this year. And even after listening to them repeatedly, these songs refuse to leave my head, let alone get old.

Rating: 9.1/10 - A definite must hear. Indian metal just got a whole new meaning.