Agni – Wind Dance With Fire

Agni, one of the premier rock bands of this subcontinent released this classic album late in 1994, some 6 years ago. One of the foremost involved in the Indian rock and metal movement this band heavily worship Megadeth played to metal hungry audiences all over this country and were able to satisfy their headbanging desires. The band s never-say-die attitude is evident from their message on the lyrics booklet – A special F*** you to those who didn t believe in us. The album is a more melody oriented rock album rather than outright heavy as their usual live sets but that shouldn’t stop you from picking up one of very first albums released by a rock bands in India. The band comprised of Koko and Bell on their Ibanez and Gibson respectively, the late Juggie on bass, Ross on drums and the loudest among them Bharath on vocals. A short album released by Virgo music and has been re-released by the music label along with Brahma’s album. Anyway, the bands kicks off the album with “Doggies Do {I Do Too}” which Koko and Bell impressing with the 6-string skills. Next in line is “Et Tu Brute” a very melodic song with Bharath’s operatic (if I might use the word) wailing throughout it besides the impressive twin guitar lead. The song is a killer with the Caesar-era-language and a feel attached to it. A real typical rocker is the next one – “Within” which starts off with Bharath’s shriek where influences of ‘air-raid’ Dickinson are very evident with Bharath exploiting the vibrato to the maximum. This song really has prominent Indian feel to it with an exceptional solo to it too. At the halfway stage thru this album you’d already have realized that by no means is the album a letdown with still two more killer tracks “Kashmir” and “Wind Dance with Fire” left!! Anyway, Kashmir is one of best compositions on the album with an amazing lead and no, it’s not a rendition of Jimmy Pages’ and Robert Plant song though! The last song to wind up the classic album is the long title track, which has the great Indian instrument, the sitar in the background. The starting of the song might scare people into believing an Indian mythological story is about to unwind- far from it is the truth. The song has some very nice tempo changes and ends with everything rising towards a crescendo and then slowly fading away. The solo end is really innovative wherein the sound is almost like a bhajan (Don t get scared by the word bhajan s really cool-listen to it). It’s a really cool way to end this album. I strongly recommend this album to anyone who’s trying to get into listening to Indian rock . For more details, unfortunately due to Agni lacking a website, you’ll have to contact the record label directly at Virgo Music, Shanti Nagar, Vakola, Santa Cruz {E} in Mumbai or give them a tinker a (022) 6183107. This review is dedicated to the late bassist of Agni, Juggie, who had a sad demise due to fatal accident. May his spirit be with Agni forever. R.I.P.

Download ‘Agni – Wind Dance With Fire’

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