RUDRA „Brahmavidya: Transcendental I”

Genre: Vedic (Death) Metal
Country: Singapore
Band Website: www.myspace.com/vedicmetal
Duration: 67:54


Killer Songs: “Amrtasyaputra,” “Venerable Opposites,” “Not The Seen But The Seer”

Proof that there’s still virgin territory left for extreme metal, Singapore’s Rudra deliver a roaring sequel to last year’s “Brahmavidya: Primordial I” in their usual outstanding way. Because what sets this quartet apart from innumerable cookie-cutter clones scattered across Europe and North America is their immersion in Vedic literature, which is the philosophical foundation of their own Indian heritage. Now the band’s ethnic background and themes might prove confusing for most (including this reviewer), but what’s clear as day is the potency of Rudra’s unique take on black, death, and thrash metal.

Putting Hindu philosophy and mysticism to music with buzzsaw riffs, pummeling gallops, and machinegun drums, Rudra are proven masters at synthesizing extreme metal into their very own lyrical realm. Crammed inside “Brahmavidya: Transcendental I” are such chaotic numbers as “Ravens of Paradise,” “Amrtasyaputra,” “Meditations at Dawn,” and “Advaitamtra” that share running time with ghostly readings of Vedic texts and somber percussion. Since Rudra aren’t amateurs at the music game, their chops are airtight and the delivery of each song is done with a confidence borne from experience. When a guitar solo flares up or an entire melody shifts to bare bones black metal, it still makes sense to the whole. As for frontman Kathir’s vocals, he’s uttering incantations most of the time in his best throaty screech and it sounds wicked.

Clocking in at more than an hour, “Brahmavidya:Transcendental I” does prove mystifying as the waves of boiling music wash over the ritualistic chants and hymns. There’s so much fine musicianship on display here the listener will have to spin this CD for a month to take it all in. When the band isn’t lost in subdued ethnic instrumentation or mind boggling pseudo-religious rituals in a language anybody not Indian won’t understand, Rudra’s latest slays from start to finish, be it with crushing bass lines, blast beats, guitar pyrotechnics, or furious vocals. Try “Immortality Roars,” “Not The Seen but The Seer,” and “Reversing the Currents,” it’s like a fusion of Vader, Behemoth, Vital Remains, Nile, plus a smidgen of Immortal.

“Brahmavidya: Transcendental I” comes highly recommended for those eager to explore the cutting edge of extreme music.

note: 8/10

Tracklist

1.Bhagavadpada Namaskara
2.Ravens of Paradise
3.Amrtasyaputra
4.Hymns From the Blazing Chariot
5.Meditations At Dawn
6.Advaitamrta
7.Natural Born Ignorance
8.Immortality Roars
9.Reversing the Currents
10.Venerable Opposites
11.Avidya Nivrtti
12.Not The Seen But The Seer
13.Adiguru Namastubhyam
14.Majestic Ashtavakra

Line-up

Kathir-Vocals, Bass
Shiva-Drums
Devan-Guitars and 12 string Acoustic Guitar
Selvam-Guitars