Author Archive for Aditya Mehta

14
Jun
13

Movie Review: ‘Man Of Steel’ has incredibly boring action sequences

By Aditya Mehta 2 Comments
Categories: Movie Reviews
Tags: , , , , , ,

mosThe new Superman movie is a fucking snoozefest

You could blame it on the two whiskies you had before entering the movie hall to watch Man Of Steel for making you fall asleep during the unnecessarily long film, but then, every time you open your eyes, the same damn action scene is on. It’s a bunch of skyscrapers in the backdrop, and Superman fighting General Zod and the other bad people from Krypton. Sent to Earth by his father Jor-El (Russell Crowe), Kal-El is known on our planet as Clark Kent, raised as a typical American boy (he’s lived in Kansas for 33 years, so he obviously won’t harm the nation). Clark’s father here – Kevin Costner – has kept Superman’s secret hidden from world: that the boy arrived from another world and has superpowers he’s aching to use on others. But when he finally does get to get violent and destructive, you’re in for a snoozefest. Man Of Steel has the most boring action sequences you’ve watched in a very long time; it’s as coma-inducing as the ending of Lord Of The Rings 3, and is too stretched even for those who like a bit of filmigiri in their Hollywood blockbusters.

The story, even though it doesn’t sound like much, does make sense. The villain has a reason to come to this planet, and isn’t hellbent on destroying the human race just because he has nothing else to do. General Zod is angry, frustrated, and most importantly, he has a plan.

During the incredibly boring action sequences, when you can’t sleep because of all the commotion, you get thinking about Batman and Superman. You like Batman more because everything about the dude is so dark, but then he uses gadgets, which Superman doesn’t need. Batman is a borderline alcoholic too, so you know he’ll never turn down a drink if you offer him one, but Superman can fucking fly.

This is the problem with “Man Of Steel”: Superman doesn’t fly much. You’d like a superhero who can fucking fly to go here and there in the air, visit a few scenic places so that everybody can get a top view of them, or just go sit on a fucking glacier or something. All intensity and no fun make Man Of Steel a dumb Superman movie. See, it’s cool that Clark Kent shares zero chemistry with Louis Lane, because you sure as shit don’t want any mushy crap in this film.

But you really can’t blame it on the alcohol; you’re wide awake an hour before the movie is over wondering when Man Of Steel will end. It’s great that there are no attempts at being humorous, it’s beautiful that there isn’t any chemistry between anyone, but you do wish for somebody to root for. The villain is miserable throughout, the superhero doesn’t fucking fly enough, and you’ve seen way too many skyscrapers, and since the new Superman film hasn’t done anything except waste your time, it’s best to go back to a bar that doesn’t require superhuman strength to keep from closing so early in the morning.

RATING: 2/5

Hollywood/Bollywood Film Reviews: The Grey | Jab Tak Hai Jaan | Ghost

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12
Jun
13

Album Review: Black Sabbath – 13

By Aditya Mehta 1 Comment
Categories: Guest Columns and Music Reviews
Tags: , , , , ,

By ANIMESH ‘ASMO’ DAS

black-sabbath-13It gets tough for fans of bands like Black Sabbath to accept and assimilate any new music the band churns out. And that’s usually because of a nostalgic love of the band’s earlier output, which for most, would have converted people in to fans in the first place. The classic material, is just that. Classic. It can’t be touched. It’s influenced millions. It’s almost legendary. So when a band of that calibre decides to go back in to the studio years after they’ve ever done that sort of a thing, you pray that the musicians have still got it. You hope they don’t choke. You don’t want them to get hammered by critics or the lay listener.

Fans of Black Sabbath, it’s safe to cast away your fears. ’13′, the band’s nineteenth studio record, the first to feature original vocalist Ozzy Osbourne since 1978′s ‘Never Say Die’, does not disappoint. The eight songs on the album are a worthy attempt to relive the band’s classic bluesy, doomy, sounds. Yes, some of them, like ‘Loner’ and the beautiful ‘Zeitgeist’ take you back to previous Sabbath songs, but it’s not enough to get you stark-raving mad. The riffs, in their own way, pay tribute to the past.

That being said, you do miss Bill Ward’s jazzy, swingy drumming. Brad Wilk (of Rage Against The Machine fame) can certainly hold his own in front of the skins, but it’s just not the right feel. The drums sound cold and remote, as if the band wasn’t entirely convinced of their decision to include Wilk in to their inner circle.

Black-SabbathWhat’s spot on though is Geezer Butler’s rumbling bass. Never one to colour within the lines, Butler’s bass work is exemplary, twisting, and turning, and teasing you throughout the album. Guitarist Tony Iommi is equally fantastic to listen to, especially the solo on ‘Age Of Reason’. You can hear him giving it all he’s got, and more. And i must admit, Ozzy is palatable throughout the record. He does sound post produced, but the end result is an Ozzy who seems to have accepted his physical limitations.

Interestingly, the album ends with the same church bells that started it all – Sabbath’s self titled 1970 debut. You could view it as a bookend. And, yes, ’13′ is definitely not a bad way to end. But as you spin the record for a second listen (or click on repeat, whatever you choose), you can tell that Iommi and Butler aren’t completely done yet.

Review: Megadeth’s Super Collider (2013)

Review: Burzum’s Sol Austan, Mani Vestan (2013)

Streaming: Motorhead Tribute India

 

 

10
Jun
13

Pradeep Miranda: ‘Pin Drop Violence ended because of our lack of management skills’

By Aditya Mehta 11 Comments
Categories: Demand & Supply
Tags: , , ,

Back in 2000, he sported long hair and fronted Pin Drop Violence. Now in 2013, he has a crew cut and is busy with his day job. It’s been half a decade since PDV separated and he rarely attends gigs these days, but we at Mehta Kya Kehta never forget our metal heroes, and had to get Pradeep Miranda to open up about the time when his band ruled the city of Mumbai and what he does now.

From back in the PDV days! Pic courtesy: Akshayraj Uchhil

From back in the PDV days! Pic courtesy: Akshayraj Uchhil

“I was 18 when I started the band and the only thing on my mind was to make great music that everybody could relate to. So I poured all my energy into writing the best lyrics I could conceive, which in my eyes are still good to this day. A few tracks have my guitar riffs too, which the band members played willingly. I always thought of our listeners as friends first and fans (pinheads!) later, and maybe that’s why we are still fondly remembered. PDV delivered serious hard-hitting music and I made sure my studio sessions were as intense as the gigs. Growling is a very physically demanding action as it’s not just the throat box but also the diaphragm that comes into use. I remember spitting blood in the basin and sweating gallons on stage because of grueling gigs, but no buckets of tears whatsoever. A total of 2 full-length studio albums, 1 single, 100′s of local and national gigs, 1 international gig (Dubai), featuring on a handful of compilation albums, giving countless (print, radio, web and TV) interviews and practicing tons didn’t take its toll on the band. In fact, even the outstation gigs’ travel conditions, the nasty places we were put up at, critical haters and judgmental two-faced peers didn’t dent my spirit. In the end, our “management” skills (or lack thereof) brought on my band’s demise. Don’t get me wrong. I was never in it for the money. We were realistic about completing college and holding down jobs so we were okay. Sadly, all it takes is one fuckin’ weak link for the whole goddamn chain to snap… Anyway, I always joke that I am the only member to have not missed any PDV show ever, and the rest know it’s true. They missed a couple through no fault of theirs because of work, health and family. But without a doubt, they gave 100% to the ones they were present for and that’s awesome.”

But it’s not over till it’s over, and there’s a good chance we’ll get some more music from the growler.

pradeep miranda“Nowadays, if I’m not traveling, working and spending time with the missus, you’ll catch me beering with my many buddies. I’ve had cats since I was 13 and still do at 30. I am a reader but not a voracious one, though I always liked spending time with books than people. My love for writing stems from the fact that I make time to read. My girlfriend of 7 years is now my wife. So a lot of travel on the cards and already Paris and Sri Lanka are done with a lot more to go. I catch treks / camp-outs whenever I can. I like to ride my motorcycle and love working on it myself. I’m currently in talks with an old friend about getting in a studio and making some music, but I’m enjoying the sabbatical and may procrastinate that thought more. Overall, I spent the best 7 years of my life with the band (winter 2007 heralded our last gig). What were the worst years of my life you ask? The same! Just kidding… I still catch myself smiling with pride when I read my lyrics from both the albums while they blast on my speakers. As the 1st track of the 2nd album says – no regrets!”

Pin Drop Violence's original lineup: (L-R) Vispy Homavazir, Niraj Trivedi, Pradeep Miranda, Mithun Poojari, Rohit Pereira

Pin Drop Violence’s original lineup: (L-R) Vispy Homavazir, Niraj Trivedi, Pradeep Miranda, Mithun Poojari, Rohit Pereira

Want to know more about the Indian metal scene?

The life and times of Naked Earth’s Irwie Vaz

‘Albatross was cursed’: Riju ‘Dr. Hex’ Dasgupta speaks

From Kinky Ski Munky to The Riot Peddlers: Ashwin Dutt’s long journey

On the horror trail with Albatross | Who are the members of Heathen Beast?

09
Jun
13

Their First Rain

By Aditya Mehta 2 Comments
Categories: The Times Of Aditya Mehta
Tags: , ,

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

These are my flatmates: A kitten (Tiger Memon), a rabbit couple (Necrocannibal Bloodthirsty and Moonbeam Snowflake) and their babies. They saw rain for the first time this morning and were fascinated by the downpour. Excuse the bad pics, I’m no photographer.

ALSO SEE: Bloodthirsty | Moonbeam

Music Review: Megadeth’s Super Collider is uninspired

09
Jun
13

Album Review: Megadeth – Super Collider

By Aditya Mehta 2 Comments
Categories: Music Reviews
Tags: ,

The world’s state-of-the-art speed metal band is now MegaDave lite.

CoverThe other reviews aren’t entirely wrong. Dave Mustaine isn’t in the mood to play thrash metal, but he could have made a few good rock songs. Megadeth‘s 2013 album Super Collider opens with ‘Kingmaker’, with MegaDave snarling about wanting everything that makes him feel alright and everything that’s before his eyes, and I love that he’ll never get over how he’s more deserving than Metallica. After this candid rant comes the title track, which would’ve fit better on Cryptic Writings, because this new Megadeth album shouldn’t have been made, mainly because except these two songs, Mustaine himself isn’t really feeling it. His lack of conviction shows on all on the other tracks. What Megadeth have done here isn’t called selling out, because nobody who loves metal will ever say “Let’s make some soft music and get more fans.” Megadeth have made an album for the heck of it because they had to, and the songwriting on Super Collider is very uninspired. Dave Mustaine has written great songs even without his anger, but here he sounds shallow each and every time he tries to get philosophical. I don’t care about their Thin Lizzy cover on the album, because I haven’t even got my dose of Megadeth from Super Collider.

RATING: 1.5/5

MORE REVIEWS: Megadeth’s Endgame is excellent | Th1rt3en is difficult to type

Listen to metal from India? The Darkness Of Being | Snowless | In The Name Of Satan

06
Jun
13

Restaurant Review: Jaihind Lunch Home

By Aditya Mehta 1 Comment
Categories: Food & Drink
Tags: , ,

jaihindsol kadiI’m mourning the loss of a restaurant I was introduced to a few years ago. Jaihind Lunch Home hasn’t gone anywhere; it has expanded its dreams and is now an established restaurant chain across Mumbai. It is now like every other restaurant chain (except Jaffer Bhai’s Delhi Darbar – bless that amazing place) that sits comfortably on its established brand name and doles out carelessly cooked variants of the food that made it famous. Over the last few months I visited three Jaihind Lunch Home branches – the original in Bandra, the other two I know of  – the ones in Dadar and Lower Parel. The food at Jaihind Lunch Home was a hit with everybody prawns gassi and neer dosabecause it was simple and reasonably priced. Since the day Jaihind Lunch Home realized it was always going to keep making money, the restaurant went from humble to fancy (try to remember the old menu and look at the number of items they have now) and the dishes are priced at double the amount we’d be okay paying. Everything from the sol kadi to the prawns gassi and pulao falls in the narrow range of mediocre to passable, but with these prices it’d make a lot of sense to either go to a much cheaper restaurant for coastal cuisine or spend some more money to eat awesome seafood (and enjoy far better service) at Gajalee, Mahesh Lunch Home or Trishna. I’ll miss the unique chutney at Jaihind Lunch Home, but I can’t keep going back to a restaurant only for its chutney.green chutney

For coastal cuisine: Malvani Aswad | Malwani Kkalwan | Konkan Aswad | Versova Seafood Festival

Beer reviews: Weihenstephaner | Black Cab | 1906 | Galicia | Fruh Kolsch | Sol Cerveza | Organic Honeydew

Indian underground music scene: Remember Irwie from Naked Earth? | Ashwin Dutt’s incredibly long journey

Concert reviews: Slayer in Bangalore | Guns N’ Roses in Mumbai | Metallica in Bengaluru

04
Jun
13

Riju Dasgupta: ‘Albatross was cursed’

By Aditya Mehta 3 Comments
Categories: Demand & Supply
Tags: , ,

Horror metal band Albatross have played several shows with incredible bands and have a devoted following, but their long phase of bad luck ended only recently. The albatross is a bird of ill omen, and even the phrase ‘albatross around my neck’ means a huge burden over someone.

riju dasguptaSays bassist Riju ‘Dr. Hex’ Dasgupta, “The curse was truly upon us. Our first guitarist moved to the Middle East after just two shows; one of the founding members Rajarshi Bhattacharya (now with Hellwind) quit soon after because he couldn’t make time; our concerts in Ladakh and Shillong were called off after we reached there because of political issues in those regions; a show with King Diamond, Iced Earth and Overkill got cancelled because of tax scenes in Croatia. Man, I could go on forever. Even our most kickass gigs were plagued with problems.”

And it’s true: the band has been asked to stop playing after only one song due to lack of time, and there have also been power cuts in the middle of their performances. We’ve even heard that a sanyasi once gatecrashed an Albatross show and stole their CDs! “That’s correct,” confirms Dr. Hex. “When I caught him, he said he deserves free metal music because he’s renounced the world!”

But all that’s in the past, according to the doctor. “I think Nishith has been the good-luck symbol in the band. The bad luck stopped as soon as he joined us. It also helps that he’s the best guitarist in the world.”

Music Review: Burzum’s Sol Austan, Mani Vestan

Film Reviews: Go Goa Gone | Bombay Talkies

Slideshow: 10 beers to drink this summer

02
Jun
13

Album Review: Burzum – Sôl Austan, Mâni Vestan (2013)

By Aditya Mehta 6 Comments
Categories: Music Reviews
Tags: ,

Varg Vikernes needs black metal as much as black metal needs him.

B 1Had Euronymous been alive today, he would have had to acknowledge Varg Vikernes as the one true master of the black metal art. Every Burzum release is unlike anything else and effortlessly superior to everything else. “Sôl Austan, Mâni Vestan” is closer to “Daudi Baldrs” than to “Hlidskjalf”, in the sense that it will require a black metal translation for the listener to register (and fully enjoy) the depths of the compositions. “Hlidskjalf” is a pristine work, while “Daudi Baldrs” sounds like a collection of cheap midi sounds (yes, it’s great, I agree) which we were compelled to revisit after it hit us that “Belus” is the greatest black metal album of all time. Varg’s rediscovery of his love for fiddling with his synth is interesting for some time, and the excitement of listening to the carefully placed layers starts to wear off after a point, but crazy about this one-man band as I am, my mind plays the black metal version of Burzum‘s electronic ambient album every time it starts to get boring. “Sôl Austan, Mâni Vestan” is mostly medieval, and this mystical feel is more Grishnackh than Vikernes. There’s no doubt that the compositions here are excellent, but Varg Vikernes needs black metal as much as black metal needs him, and it will take a guitar, drums and bass for Count Grishnackh to punctuate these tunes to maximize their impact. Even hell knows how the man can transform a track as flat as Daudi Baldrs into a song as mesmerizing as Belus’ Dod. I understand perfectly well what Varg Vikernes has done here, and it might even go very well as the soundtrack of the movie he is making with his wife, but I will feel like coming back to “Sôl Austan, Mâni Vestan” only when Burzum releases black metal versions of at least a couple of these melodies. And if he doesn’t, I will.

Black Metal downloads: In The Name Of Satan | Snowless | The Darkness Of Being

Burzum Reviews: Umskiptar | Fallen | Belus

17
May
13

Album Review: Reptilian Death – The Dawn of Consummation and Emergence (2013)

By Aditya Mehta 8 Comments
Categories: Guest Columns and Music Reviews
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

By PRAYAG ARORA-DESAI

Sahil Makhija told me to publish this review on or after the tenth of May, and I received my copy of the album on the 5th. Today is the 17th, which has given me more than enough time to spend with the album before writing this. I don’t think I want to spend any more time with, honestly.

But before I get into reviewing the new Reptilian Death, I think I’d be better off putting all my cards on the table. I am not a fan of The Demonstealer. I’m not a fan of Demonic Resurrection. I’m not a fan of Workshop or Hellwind and I’ve never been a fan of Reptilian Death, either. I could go on in more explicit terms, but I don’t want to pull another Cain Pinto on everyone’s ass, if there are still people around who remember what that guy did. And yet, it should be said that all of Sahil Makhija’s music till date has been afflicted with a mediocrity that only gets worse with each new release, transmitting also to every new band he forms. The last Workshop album was worse than the first Workshop album. The third DR album was worse than the second DR album. And Reptilian Death hasn’t redeemed itself from that old ‘5 Easy Ways to Murder Someone’ with the “amazing new release” that is The Dawn of Consummation and Emergence. Also, I wonder if it’s just me or does that title sound more pretentious than is reasonable?

Reptilian Death – The Dawn of Consummation and Emergence [2013] album coverThe Demonstealer’s last release was Made Love to the Dragon, Workshop’s sophomore effort. Thankfully now, Makhija puts the brakes on his largely unfunny ‘comedy metal’ routine and instead rolls out Reptilian Death, his death metal vehicle of 11 years; or at least he intended for it to be death metal. But it’s not. At least not at a level that hits me right in the guts and makes me jerk my neck like a badass mofo. Like how Workshop was supposed to be really funny but isn’t, Reptilian Death doesn’t have nearly as much muscle as a death metal band necessarily should. The ‘listenability’ is consequently upped, sure, but largely at cost of what makes death metal listenable to those who listen to it seriously.

“Inchoate” is the title of the second track on TDOCAE. “Inchoate” means something that is tentative, not fully formed, undeveloped, foetal, embryonic. “Inchoate” is the appropriate adjective to describe the how this album sounds. Perhaps it’s because Reptilian Death has never quite been at the absolute fore of Makhija’s musical output, or that it’s not quite a band in the sense that Makhija’s other bands are bands, but an “inchoate” album isn’t what one expects from someone who’s been writing music for fucking ages, and the extended superstar line-up that now comprises the live format of Reptilian Death all just seems like a bunch of hype that the album doesn’t live up to.

Listening to The Dawn of Consummation and Emergence is like playing a game in which you’re constantly trying to figure out what band Reptilian Death sound like. But Reptilian Death doesn’t sound like anything, mainly because they don’t even sound like themselves. The Demonstealer may be the most recognized face in “the Indian metal scene”, but he isn’t the most recognized sound.

Gig Announcement: Solar Deity, Reptilian Death and Albatross at Blue Frog 

STREAMING: Motorhead Tribute India

EP REVIEW: Devoid – The Invasion (2013)

13
May
13

Motorhead India Tribute up for streaming and ready for preorders

By Aditya Mehta 2 Comments
Categories: Solar Deity
Tags: , , , , , ,

Solar Deity is proud to be a part of the Motorhead India Tribute! You can listen to all the tracks and preorder the release and merchandise from this link: http://motorheadtribute.bandcamp.com/

motorhead india tribute

motorhead india tributemotorhead india tribute

You can also read Devdutt Nawalkar‘s review on Old Disgruntled Bastard.

Metal Gig Announcement: Solar Deity, Albatross and Reptilian Death LIVE at Blue Frog

Movie Review: “Go Goa Gone” is Bollywood’s first stoner-zombie-comedy

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