Death metal hatred, now in Kannada

Who would have thought that the metal movement that swept Scandinavia a few decades ago would eventually reach Bangalore, and inspire two young head-bangers to perform in Kannada?

Somesha Sridhara and Ajay Nagaraj sit in a room stacked high with engineering texts.

The two musicians, also engineering students, are part of Dhwesha, formed in 2008. The group was formed after a flash of inspiration during Somesha’s trip with family to historic sites in the state.

Badami and Aihole were so rich in historical memory, Somesha says, that the idea to sing about history and myth struck him as just the thing to do.

“Looking at the idols and temples, I realised we have such a vast mythological and historical legacy. I immediately texted Ajay,” remembers Somesha. “It’s like Amon Amarth writing about Norse mythology.”

Asked of his initiation into music, Somesha says, “My brother used to play Iron Maiden and Metallica. I picked up.” Somesha is the band’s lead guitarist.“I met Ajay through Orkut,” laughs Somesha.

Towards the end of their second year at pre-university, the duo began writing songs in the death metal genre.

Dhwesha’s first song was Yuddhabhoomi, an aggressive number about a soldier’s trials.