Heavy Metal with a cause

With over a thousand gigs and two albums - The World Beyond and Reborn - behind them, Brahma is currently working on Brahma 3, which is set for release later this year. Excerpts from an interview with the band's frontman Devraj Sanyal:

When you were doing so well, why did you take a three-year break?
We founded the band in 1993 and played for almost 16 years. We released two albums, played at almost all venues and then we got a bit bored. So, we decided to pursue our individual interests for some time. We always knew that we would return but we took a short hiatus. And now, we are in a space where we really wanted to do this and do it seriously, so we are working on the third album.

How similar or different will the new album be as compared to your previous works?
This album will be different in the sense that when we started off, we were much younger; so now we have a lot more musical experience, listening experience and exposure to different kinds of music. Hence, our sound will be mature. Its not less heavy, its not less aggressive, its just that melody was important in the beginning but now melody is the most important thing. The album will also have a greater appeal to a larger audience of people.

Brahma has always used social issues as subjects for its music. What will the inspiration be this time around?
Our first album was about government-related issues. The second album focused on the environment. This album is a lot to do with overall betrayal: Betrayal of the country and its people. The title track is called Kasab. We are not afraid to speak our mind. We have always considered ourselves as the voice of the youth. We always like our music to reflect issues.

How do you think changes in the distribution of music have had anu00a0impact on music?
There is plenty of change. Consumption patterns are changing every day. Digital plays a huge role now. Non-film music was big at one time, and then Bollywood took that place because everyone played that. But now things are changing rapidly. People are looking forward to non-film music, again. This generation, to some extent, is non-Bollywood driven. I'm happy to be in a world now where music is being created in an environment where different things are being appreciated. The next five years will witness a sea change in the way people consume music.