World Music Day: Even As Bands Split Up, Let’s Hold On to Music

When we talk about music genres, I’d argue that Metal has managed to grab the most loyal audience over the years.

It’s not just the band, but the fans who make musical legends.

(Illustration: Parthavee Singh)

When we talk about all the many genres of music, it may be argued that Metal has managed to grab the most loyal audiences over the years.

While music is available on the internet, it’s strikes you the best only when you hear it live.

From Metallica to Slayer still selling out arenas and outdoors, these godfathers have been ruling forever. But is the genre alive because of them or because of the thousands of fans who live for their music?

A true fan is the key to a genre’s immortality.

In my opinion, few genres compare to the joy of watching a Metal performance live. One can’t deny the fact that the genre has become commercialised to some extent over the year, especially post the 1980s, but that begs the question - why is the once-booming genre now said to be a dying scene?

Sahil Makhija, frontman of popular Indian band Demonic Resurrection, said to The Quint:

“Metal isn’t dead in India and it never will be. As a genre of music, Metal has always inspired people and has created a very passionate fan base. Almost every kid who listens to Metal, wants to form a band and while bands may come and go, there are always new ones being formed. Sadly in India most kids eventually grow out of the music (for whatever reasons) resulting in a scene that can’t grow or expand into a full blown industry that can sustain itself.”

Sahil Makhija, Frontman, Demonic Resurrection

We often find it slightly annoying when older people talk about how actors and actresses of the present time cannot match up to the men and women who ruled the silver screen in their time. Whether you afford them the luxury of that nostalgia or not, one can argue that the same doesn’t happen for music - since music doesn’t get stagnant.

Music doesn’t get stagnant.

It doesn’t get stagnant because the fans keep music alive. They pass on the genre from one generation to the next.

I mean, do you think names like Iron Maiden and AC/DC would’ve been ringing in our ears even today had it not been for those dedicated fans who never let the chords die?

I was never an ardent Metal fan but over time, I did develop a taste for it. I started listening to it quite by accident when I landed at a venue where a gig was going on.

Recently, top Indian Metal band ‘Undying Inc’ had a fall out - one that fans are still finding hard to stomach. It makes you understand that while bands may keep splitting up, surely the spirit of music can be kept alive through its fans?

Undying Inc, Indian Metal Band.

The Quint reached out to Undying Inc’s former frontman to ask him what he thought about the issue and he said:

“Bands splitting up has nothing to do with genres dying. No band on the planet has that power. If our fans think Undying is over? It probably is, but the music we have in us is not. Wait for August 2019. We’ll keep it coming.”

Shashank Bhatnagar, Former Undying Inc frontman.

I refuse to believe that Metal will ever die.

Sure, change is uncomfortable, and we never want to see our favourite bands split up - but here’s a thought for World Music Day: as long as we hold on to the music our favourites have created, we’ll be alright.