Exclusive interview with progressive metal act, Prestorika
Hi guys, how are you doing?
Metal as ever…!!
I guess this is your first interview post line up change, elaborate on what’s been going on with the Prestorika camp?
Well the band has very recently finished recording their album, ‘The Most Confidential Knowledge’. The sound’s heavier, more experimental n the guitar work by our latest member, Vikas is kick-ass. We really hope that this album can do very well in the Metal circuit all over…
You guys traveled to Canada to release your first album “The most confidential knowledge”, tell us how was the whole experience in that country?
To start with, IT WAS FUCKIN COLD !!!! But then it was all bout the ‘Canadian music week.’ The atmosphere was amazing and so were the artists who were invited from all across the world. The album was taken really well there. It was really hard to believe by the people there that India could give a metal band. But we got a great response. We shared the stage with Anvil. And it was a great moment for all of us. We also got a chance to interact with a few record labels and event management companies from Europe, U.S. and Australia. The way things work there are very professional,and you get respect for your efforts. A very good learning experience for all of us.
Post your ‘Emergence’ EP, we have seen you guys evolving as a band, and a change in musical direction, how is the new line up contributing to that?
Its playing a big big part in the execution perfectly. Nikhil and Vikas are doing a fabulous job on guitars. The new compositions that we are working on have a great bunch of some killer ideas from both of them. Even Nitesh has a much more role to play. The songs are evolving as more feel and concept based. Resulting a little progression to our new sound.
Coming back to the album, how has it been recording with Anupam at Grey Studios? Moreover, we would like to know who did the layout design & who’s doing the distribution in India & abroad?
Anupam has done an extraordinary work. We had tough deadlines to meet. We had to have the album in hand before we left for Canada, and Anupam put all his efforts and experience to make it on time for us. You’ll agree with us more once you’ll listen to the album. The layout and designing has been done by Pallavi and Shashwat. Awesome work again. Thanks a ton guys. And as far as distribution goes, we are still planning it. We want to get the best deal from the sponsors( if any) cause we really hope a lot from this album and we want the best distribution of it across the nation.
Since you guys play a lot of hard rock/heavy metal, do you feel acceptance level of bands playing this kind of music has gone down considerably in India? A lot of Indian bands are playing modern rock/nu-metal and extreme metal, do you feel it’s just a passing trend or there are fewer people who want to listen to pure form of metal?
Absolutely not. We think that the trends in music are changing rapidly. At all forms of music not just metal, there’s a lot of experimentation happening. Resulting a lot of new sounds. But as far as far as acceptance goes, for heavy metal, it stands. Cause this is what everyone’s still deriving their core inspiration from. Even a school going kid who’s just started listening to metal, knows about Pantera, Megadeth, Metallica…well u know the list.
Any special gigs/festivals you want to play to support this album in India/abroad?
In India, what we have in mind is an album tour…of course,we will promote this album in any festival that comes through. As far as abroad is concerned, we are in touch with a couple of festivals in Australia and U.S. Where we’d like to go and distribute it to whatever maximum level possible.
I have heard a lot of your fans saying that ‘Prestorika’ is a combination of energy, tightness & talent, tell us what energy drink you to have assimilation of all 3 on stage,hahaha?
Ok …let me think…Beer, beer, beer, red bull, beer,beer……
There’s a rapid emergence of bands from your hometown (the capital of the country), playing different styles of music that too quite actively at gigs? What do you think about that?[/b] Any bands you particularly like?
There’s a lot of good talent that’s coming up these days. We’ve been to gigs with so many young guys, giving you some crazy parts in their compositions. And you think about those parts till you come back home and go to sleep. Its good that they are being able to make a mark for themselves so early in their gigging career. But we’ll be really honest with you, our favorites are the old school, who have been leaving an impact on and off the stage from such a long time now. Rudra, Bhayanak Maut, TAAQ, Motherjane, Undying Inc., 3rd Sovereign, Mynd Snare and Acrid Semblance to name a few.
Loads of Asian bands from Japan, Australia, Singapore & Indonesia have made huge impact in the west are successfully selling albums in the west? When do you see such a renaissance coming from India? What do you think is required to pull that off?
I see it coming really soon. One big thing that you need to take your shit internationally is the acceptance for it within your own nation. That affects everything that falls around or below. Be it people shelling out money, record labels, media…almost everything. Though it has started on a very small scale, like in our case it was ‘The Canadian Music Week’, we wont be surprised when, a band from India headlines a major international festival.
Your thoughts on International bands touring India? We have seen Enslaved, Iron Maiden (thrice), Satyricon, Megadeth, Machine Head, and Sepultura, how do you think this is helping the scene in India? Which other bands you expect & wish could play in India?
These bands touring India ultimately help the bands in our country only. Huge gatherings that we see in these festivals, make sponsors and venture partners more and more confident about investing their money in our kind of music. And yes, them accepting such collaborations, helps ‘the scene’ to grow further. Its a long long list if you ask us about international bands that we want to see touring India. Slipknot, Slayer, Fear factory, Lamb of god, RHCP, Dave Mathews Band, Cradle of Filth,COB……
You are one of the most successful band India has ever seen,literally ruling all major festivals in India, you have an EP & an album out, now you have toured abroad as well, we want to know how has been the journey so far? And now what new milestones are you looking at?
Well for us…sky’s the limit. We just wanna play more and more festivals and wanna give our music to as many people as possible. Its a great feeling every time you are on stage, and you see so many in the audience appreciating your music. Words like you rock or once more sound so common, but believe me, every time you hear them, its a sudden boost of energy for you, and you try even more to perfect your style for those who really really deserve it…for all, who have spent their time and hard earned money, just to see you. Here we’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of them who have shown their trust in us throughout these years, our family, friends and fans. Next milestones…hmmm…again a big list…Wacken, Loud Park, Woodstock, Grammy…..
Anything you would like to say to yours fans, people you have supported you, the space is all yours!?
Compiling it with a big big thanks again, we’d like to quote the same thing that you must have read in any of our interviews. Your music is your religion…follow it.
Extra special thanks to Vasav & Nitesh for taking out time for this interview!
Thanks a lot buddy. It was wonderful sharing our thoughts with you.
Interview By: Atul Sharma