Sarvanasini

It is not too often that a word gives you just two results when you look it up on google. And it is much rarer that it is the name of a project. Sarvanasini is one such word and we would like to contribute our bit towards making that project better known to the rest of the world, which is unaware of its existence.

Most times, the underground is full of precious little gems which lie hidden amidst a mud and dirt. Sarvanasini is one such gem. A one man electronic metal band formed by Shyam Gopakumar, it is a breath of fresh air in a scene, which mostly thrives on non-innovation and sticking to tried and tested methods of music production.

A metal EP made only with the help of a computer/computers, the self titled effort sets the stage for better things to come from the band. The whereabouts of the artist is evident in the work. The EP has a malayalam feel to it, not only in the track titles, but also in the music.

Starting with Mounam, a track which transports the listener to the depths of a jungle is an ideal intro track. The atmosphere it brings is stunning. About three minutes into the track, it slips into the realms of black metal from doom and slips back, with the same flawlessness, to doom.

The self-titled track in the self titled EP, Sarvanasini deserves a post in itself. The drumming is very black metal based, but the guitars blast away in some melodies, which have a very classical touch to them. The head banger in you is invoked and it continues to behold you in that trance for the rest of the work. The chenda based beats at 4 minutes and the screams are just out of the world.

Kaalam continues in the same vein as Sarvanasini, maintaining the tempo, but with some experiments with the drumming patterns and it impresses.

The crescendo for the finale begins with the penultimate track on the album, Avasanam. It maintains the high pitched guitar melodies, which is a trademark of the album, but also something, I feel can be worked upon. Though the tunes are differecnt, they do tend to get a bit monotonous on subsequent listens to the entire album because of the range that it operates in.

The final track of the EP, Maranam Sampoornam signs it off in perfect style. It contains all the elements that makes this effort unique in first place. The transitions from the heavy riff based arrangements to the acoustic melodies is breath taking and the evil laughter at the end reminds one of the stories of Yakshis, that live on the palm trees, stalking innocent men to take them to their doom.

I would personally love to hear more works from the band. A full length album would be eagerly awaited, I am sure, by quite a lot of metal heads in the country as well.

You can download the EP here.

PS : Thanks to my friend Crucifire for linking me up to their page.

Led Zeppelin Remasters Review (part 1)

Source/Album

Led Zeppelin - Remasters

Must Listen Track List

 (Part 1)

1.   Achilles Last Stand
2.   All of My love
3.   Babe Im Gonna Leave you
4.   Dyer Maker
5.   Dazed and Confused
6.   In the evening
7.   Kashmir
---------------------------------------------------

( Part 2 )

8.   No Quarter
9.   Nobodys fault but mine
10. Ramble On
11. The Song Remains the same
12. Stairway to Heaven
13. Trampled Underfoot
14. Whole Lotta Love


Preface : It is indeed really really late to be doing such a review of such a legendary band.But there will be perverts out there who are very biased about this band and they would have twisted reasons to not listen to em.If any of you are reading, i would be glad to tell you that i was one of you.Then i decided to give those tracks a chance.I am very thankful that i decided to do so.

This is an absolutely rollicking list of 14 top songs in this album..yes , right ! 14 top songs ! This album/compilation is an absolute worth an absolute go get ! I am not sure if this was an official release by Led Zeppelin or not , but if you are someone who has heard of the band and is looking for some of their best, then this is the right place to start ! The quality of the mastering is also good , and really shows through in some of the songs like Dyer Maker.

Before i review the tracks , I would like to thank my friend Manjunath for intro-ing me to Led Zepps music.I am so not regretting it! I hope you dont (or arent ) too. If you are , then god save you.


The Remasters compilation brings together a whole array of songs , composed diversely, under different arrangements,and most importantly in different times.It gives an insight into how the music of Led Zeppelin jumps from their earlier guitar heavy /vocal heavy nature to more eclectic/subtle composition oriented numbers (say , like Kashmir).

To start off with , i have reviewed the first 7 songs ,the (part 1) of the list.

1.Achilles Last Stand - This is more of an instrumental/bass and guitar driven number that you can only see led zeppelin do.Why you ask ? Coz only Robert plant can sing like Jimmy Paiges guitar ! The incredible bass lines, stellar guitaring and the grooviest drumming by John Bonham takes this song to super-grooviness , and then Robert Plant takes over and transforms the trance into nirvana in ways only he can do with his sound box :).

2.All Of My Love - This  boy burns down to the synthesizers .. Its all John Paul Jones and Plant here.The drum has not been overplayed (and very cleverly avoided to preserve the feel of the song).Jimmy paige pitches in with those guitars that can turn any song into bliss.Must be heard to be appreciated (cocky but true).In my book , its one of Led Zeps best works for sure

3.Babe Im Gonna Leave You - There are only a few songs in this world that will grab you like no other.This song is one of them.It makes you realize that someone like Plant was destined to meet Jimmy Paige.And thank god that Jimmy Paige knew about John Bonham and oh thank god that John Paul Jones had decided not to choose studio sessions over band jamming.This song is it .This song has led zeppelin all over it.Every note from the guitar , every improvised phrase from Plant.Every thumping snare beat from Bonham and every carefully played bass note from Jones.This is led zepp at its best.So effortlessly conveying it through a very tough to replicate music.Music that is Led Zepp ,and will remain to be so.

4.   Dyer Maker - This one is a very soft number by the band,in the lines of other numbers like Fool in the Rain and All Of My Love.The rendition by plant is top notch and he makes you believe that no else can even have an attempt at the subtle attempt at the nuances and highs that he takes us through this song.The song is Plant himslef and as you keep listening , you might start wondering whether Led Zepp songs can be covered by anyone else at all , with the same ferocity and emotions.Paige plays on this track like a master craftsman, performing a similar role to a jazz drummer who lets the leading instrumentalists take stage and covers the subtle nuances.Subtle, yet brilliant.

5.   Dazed and Confused - This is a percussionists melody.And Plant butts in as well.Its kinda hard to stop Plant from butting in at any place in any song, coz that boys got some voice.The whole melody and the feel of the song is carried by plant , and John Bonham drives the slow,painful feel with some brilliant wrist work and intelligent rolls on the drums.Jimmy paige takes over at the end with the most soul tearing guitar licks that you would ever hear.The song starts slowly and to a fitting end that would leave you with just one single agenda..Repeat !

6.   In the evening - This is by far my favourite led zeppelin song.Through this song , I have learnt that Rock and roll neednt always be loud,there neednt be a structure to the vocals , and no stanzas ! Plant is a master here.he knows when the riffs are moving , when the rolls are coming adn when the drummer is going to break .I am not sure if its all improvisation, but even if programmed that way , it would take some creativity to keep a song like this going on one single riff (Jimmy ? how ? ) , and still keep it interesting.John Bonham needs no mention.Hes a hero already, and he keeps upto his legendary standards.

7.   Kashmir - Time to thank Jones again ( pianist/ and almost every other non-guitar and non-drum instrumentalist) for the arrangement.The song starts of with a rollicking score to start with and thumping percussions.Haunting vocals by Plant and the orchestra like arrangement makes this song a very sumptous listening experience.More dynamic than any of the older led zepp counterparts.The song also has a very indianish feel to it , although i suspect that it could be any other local folk flavour as well.The experimental nature of the song,renders itself beautifully ,given the fact that most other led zeppelin songs are nothing like it.You will definitely enjoy this one.

Opeth part ways with Per Wiberg

Blabbermouth reports that Opeth have parted ways with their keyboardist, Per Wiberg on mutual consent. This is extremely unfortunate and I have reason to believe that Opeth fired him. For what reason, I can't tell.

Per added a new dimension to Opeth's music. His work on Ghost Reveries, especially on tracks like Baying of the Hounds and Grand Conjuration was remarkable and made the album much more beautiful. Not to forget the solo on Burden, from the album Watershed, which is one of my personal favorite works of his. As Mikael Akerfeldt put it once, Per is one of the best metal keyboardist of all time. I am not acquainted with other works of his, but his work with Opeth definitely ranks high up there with the best amongst the limited amount of music I have explored.

I was lucky enough to watch them perform live at Chennai and it was one wild night. The keyboard part on Heir Apparent's intro set the tone for the rest of the show. I just hope that the work he has done with Opeth on the new album, which is due later this year is better than Ghost Reveries and Watershed.

Opeth will never be the same without him. :(