Hindu Metal and rock?

[Kapalika]

I've discovered it exists. And yes I know this might just appeal to the younger of us or maybe just certain types of people

I'm trying to find quality stuff, but don't know where to look. I either find something that's just kinda alright (or rather boring) or something that just seems more superficial theme wise.

One of the better ones I found was this, actually rather soft and nice rendition of the Shiva Tandav hymn.

There was also this band on the more death/black metal side?:

I didn't know if anyone here else knew of any really good bands. I like the second one but some of their stuff is too "rough" for me and II can handle harsh vocals or Hindi but both at the same time not so much. I also figured since I'm searching in English maybe I'm not finding all the good stuff lol So ya, if by chance anyone is into metal or rock here, and likes religious music, maybe you know a band or two you could recommend me?

 

[Jainarayan]

Dreaming Nomads and Ripples, Swami Ayyappa.

 

[Aupmanyav]

There must be something with the Hare-Krishna people.
Check this: Hindu Metal and rock Hare-Krishna - Google Search

I do not know about Metal and Rock (turning old before they came to India), but I think there must be a lot of racy devotional songs in Hindi and languages of South India in the classical Indian style which has all kinds of beats, rhythms and Ragas. I understand that you would like something in English

 

[Liu]

They are Czech, and I was told their Hindi is awful, but there's Cult of Fire:

Possibly also what you'd call superficial, dunno. Haven't looked for interviews yet and they only published their lyrics in Hindi (which I don't speak) and so I don't know how deep or shallow their lyrics and/or beliefs are. From the song titles and the pictures in the booklet they seem to mainly refer to Kālī-centered Shaktism and the Aghori or similar.

 

[Kapalika]

There must be something with the Hare-Krishna people.
Check this: Hindu Metal and rock Hare-Krishna - Google Search

I do not know about Metal and Rock (turning old before they came to India), but I think there must be a lot of racy devotional songs in Hindi in the classical Indian style which has all kinds of beats, rhythms and Ragas. I understand that you would like something in English

I just meant I can handle either harsh vocals (some kinds) or it being in Hindi but not both at the same time. I don't need it to be in English I fixed it to be more clear in the first post. I do like some of what I've heard of the classical Hindustani music, which is I think? what you are referring to. I should go looking for some of those again as well.

 

[Kapalika]

Dreaming Nomads and Ripples, Swami Ayyappa.

I really like the mixing of style there.

 

[Jainarayan]

I really like the mixing of style there.

I think it’s Malayalam. Sadly, that’s about the only thing I can find from them.

 

[crossfire]

OK, this may appeal more to your LHP, as it is kinda like cultural appropriation...

 

[Kapalika]

but I think there must be a lot of racy devotional songs in Hindi and languages of South India in the classical Indian style which has all kinds of beats, rhythms and Ragas

I'm actually glad you had suggested this as it's been a while since I first explored classical Indian music. Is there anything in particular you would suggest? I'm looking around again trying to remember what I had listened to in the past. I know I listened to the Northern style as it tended to be faster.

Some of what I liked was like this as an example, particularly the part starting at about 2:20 :

I do not know about Metal and Rock (turning old before they came to India),

It's a little why I was surprised as I wasn't sure it had spread much to India. Rock has it's roots in African-American music, then it became popular with Elvis Presley in the 50's and then later it became international. Metal came out of hard rock and developed separately. Both can be either very melodic and pleasant or they can be aggressive and noisy, and anything else inbetween. It just depends on the style and genre.

OK, this may appeal more to your LHP, as it is kinda like cultural appropriation...

Well I read they based it off an ode so it might be legit lyric wise. That aside I don't get what you are trying to say. Black metal commonly features themes of pre-Christian deities and/or fierce deities from living religions, sometimes because that's what they actually worship (particularly if it's native to where they live) but sometimes not. If it's misappropriation more has to do with power exchange and how respectful/authentic the representation is IMO.

 

[Aupmanyav]

India had its stint with Rock-n-Roll but now it is (horribly) stale. We have Punjabi Rock and perhaps Tamil/Bengali Rock, but I am not acquainted with that. Punjabi Bhangra has fused with Rock. However, perhaps you would like to Rock with a Sufi saint Bulle Shah (1680–1757) in Punjabi.

Lyrics and translation: Bulleya Ki Jana Main Kaun

 

[ajay0]

Indian classical and instrumental music, just like classical dance with its mudras, is designed for the expansion of consciousness. It is said that a classical singer who uses the right pitch, technique and feeling, is performing a more meritorious act than prayers or sacrifices.


The DoveSong Foundation -- The effect of Music on Plants (The Plant Experiments)

In 1973, a woman named Dorothy Retallack published a small book called The Sound of Music and Plants. Her book detailed experiments that she had been conducting at the Colorado Woman’s College in Denver using the school’s three Biotronic Control Chambers. Mrs. Retallack placed plants in each chamber and speakers through which she played sounds and particular styles of music. She watched the plants and recorded their progress daily.

Plants which were exposed to rock music were found to be unhealthy and stunted and were bending away from the radio.

Plants which were exposed to soothing music were growing healthily and their stems were starting to bend towards the radio!

Similar results were oberved when the plants were subjected to western classical music like Bach and the plants leaned toward the speakers.

Retallack observed that the plants exposed to Indian classical music leaned toward the speakers the most, and had the healthiest growth.

The most noticeable positive reactions were to classical Indian music for plants.

Similarly, I have read of a famous Indian classical singer who conducted performances with his group wielding classical instruments, at a certain place for years. It was later on observed that the trees and plants over there were slanting tangibly towards the venue where these musicians had practiced their art.

Similarly, agricultural fields where group meditation sessions were performed,were seen to create more output.

It shows that nature is favorable to all that which results in the expansion of consciousness.

Eckhart Tolle had also stated thus in this context, " The pollution of the planet is only an outward reflection of an inner psychic pollution: millions of unconscious individuals not taking responsibility for their inner space.”.

 

[Vinayaka]

Indian classical and instrumental music, just like classical dance with its mudras, is designed for the expansion of consciousness.

To further add to this, I've read that Indian classical sounds mimic the inner sounds one hears in samadhi or deep states.

Music is far stronger than we know consciously, and it is used by many to calm (dentist's music) to agitate, to exercise to, etc. Like cookies in computers, industries can use it to manipulate us. I've always found rock music quite agitating, not something I'd want blaring in a temple. Soft melodies are far more conducive to meditation, or quiet reflection. Of course the trick is to be able to feel it, as you would the temperature of water.

 

[crossfire]

Well I read they based it off an ode so it might be legit lyric wise. That aside I don't get what you are trying to say. Black metal commonly features themes of pre-Christian deities and/or fierce deities from living religions, sometimes because that's what they actually worship (particularly if it's native to where they live) but sometimes not. If it's misappropriation more has to do with power exchange and how respectful/authentic the representation is IMO.

Maybe it's the font they used that makes me think this.

 

[ajay0]

I've always found rock music quite agitating, not something I'd want blaring in a temple. Soft melodies are far more conducive to meditation, or quiet reflection. Of course the trick is to be able to feel it, as you would the temperature of water.

Yes, rock music is not conducive to equanimity of mind, imo. It agitates the mind more than make it equanimous, and is not favourable to yoga or Awareness. My uncle used to say that his blood pressure often shoots up when he hears certain rock music items on TV.

Rhythmic rock music can be good for the tamasic, those who are lazy or lethargic, to motivate them to be rajasic or active. In the gym or aerobics, this is usually played out.

Martial music is also highly rajasic.

 

[Srivijaya]

One to chill out to:

 

[Kapalika]

I've always found rock music quite agitating, not something I'd want blaring in a temple. Soft melodies are far more conducive to meditation, or quiet reflection. Of course the trick is to be able to feel it, as you would the temperature of water.

There's a lot of soft melodies in rock and metal. It just depends on the genre of it. There's entire genres based around being very melodic actually...

Maybe it's the font they used that makes me think this.

Maybe if it otherwise had little basis in fact... IIRC they had actual sanskrit up on the screen too at one point. It would be kind of jarring to just change the style of text all of a sudden.

Yes, rock music is not conducive to equanimity of mind, imo. It agitates the mind more than make it equanimous, and is not favourable to yoga or Awareness.

It really depends on the piece in question and the style.

My uncle used to say that his blood pressure often shoots up when he hears certain rock music items on TV.

It also depends on the person. Some people find rock to be relaxing. Not all of it is loud and yelling and fast either.

Rhythmic rock music can be good for the tamasic, those who are lazy or lethargic, to motivate them to be rajasic or active. In the gym or aerobics, this is usually played out.

Maybe but maybe some people are just Rajistic or like the style. Again I think you are thinking of rock as something very narrow.

 

[Sirona]

There must be something with the Hare-Krishna people.
Check this: Hindu Metal and rock Hare-Krishna - Google Search

There's this Polish Krishna band named Omkara

 

[atanu]

The exquisitely rhyming Sanskrit lyrics of Shiva Tandava Strotram, supposedly penned by Ravana, is particularly amenable to various rhythmic styles.

 

[carmenara]

I've attended a performance recently for an electronic bhakti band here in Singapore They were not bad!

 

[Frater Sisyphus]

I'm surprised that I can't see a regular music thread for Hindu music....


While he is american and not traditional Indian Hindu music** (and therefore taking a little influence from new age music and folk music), his Hindu devotional music really has meant a lot for me for quite some time, even back when I thought I was strictly an atheist.

**Which I also have a huge affection for, there are so many powerful mantras/hymns, as well as Carnatic and Hindustani classical music