GMA - Review of Ghalazat - MMXIII‏

By Farzand Bawa

First things first this is not for the weak hearted! But then again which form of metal actually is? The theory behind Ghalazat ([Urdu] an excess of filth and impurity within an area or within a human being) MMXIII was to bring together some of the most highlighted bands of the underground scene in Nepal, Pakistan and the USA!! Does it succeed to do so? Well, read on to find out..

First up we have the Nepalese Brutal Death Metaller's "Binaash", who are highly acclaimed in their scene. They deliver what they call "Ancient Moot". Moot basically means urine in Nepali and the title comes as no surprise as the song is in Nepali. The fact that the lyrics are in Nepali affects the flow of the song in no such way! The vocals are a real highlight!! 1:50 minutes of pure mosh!

Binaash - Ancient Moot
http://ghalazat.bandcamp.com/track/ancient-moot
http://www.facebook.com/binaashband

Next up we have "UgraKarma", another Kathmandu based Death Metal band. They offer us with "Dang Dung (Disorder Lust)". Like "Ancient Moot",this is also a Nepali based song, but trust me Death Metal never sounded so real. Highly suggested for people new to this genre. It's made for the people who can't take Death Metal, not that it's light by any means, but it shows all the brutality there can be, if this can be in taken your into the genre my friend!

UgraKarma - Dang Dung (Disorder Lust)
http://ghalazat.bandcamp.com/track/dang-dung-disorder-lust
http://www.facebook.com/Ugrakarmaofficial

So we have two variations of the Death Metal genre, what about Grind? Can it be left behind? The guys at Ghalazat MMXIII, say HELL NO!! And then we get the Nepal-based Grindcore band "Terrifyer". Sticking true to their genre they give two short yet really heavy songs! In fact "Mortal Enemy" ends just as you thought it was picking up. But what follows is the epic "Urban Wasteland". These are some songs that I must say have a real thrashy feel to the sound (and I like that change). Go and jump into the fire of true GRINDCORE!!

Terrifyer - Mortal Enemy / Urban Wasteland
http://ghalazat.bandcamp.com/track/mortal-enemy
http://ghalazat.bandcamp.com/track/urban-wasteland
https://www.facebook.com/terrifyergrind?fref=ts - (for some reason the band disabled the link)

And now for the song which will be the highlight for me! Pakistan's (Yes that country has a better way to express VIOLENCE) "Foreskin"!! They give us the true Thrash Metal song on this compilation with "Anti-kvlt". With unbelievable vocals and heavy use of the bass, this is some song! With a high replay value, this is the song of the album for me! God, Pakistan has some talent!!

Foreskin - Anti-Kvlt
http://ghalazat.bandcamp.com/track/anti-kvlt
http://www.facebook.com/foreskinband?fref=ts

An album with so much underground stuff to offer only gets real when we have the highly underground band "Kali X Gula", they are actually one band whose location has not been traced till now, now beat that! Two songs where the Hardcore Punk comes to the fore, what comes as a revelation is the use of Bollywood these guys do, yes you read it right, Bollywood!! They give intro's by Amrish Puri in "Kalimai" and Shakti Kapoor in "Shakti Kapoor" and then the pounding starts!! These guys have a sure love (or should I say anti-love for bollywood), but that comes as no surprise as it is the music which has hidden all other forms of music from South Asia!!

Kali X Gula - Kalimai & Shakti Kapoor
http://ghalazat.bandcamp.com/track/kalimai
http://ghalazat.bandcamp.com/track/shakti-kapoor
https://www.facebook.com/KaliGulaMachikne

"Jugga", the next band has nothing funny about them except for the name and this is where things get serious hardcore wise. Hailing from Nepal this Metallic Hardcore band takes it to another level! With bestial vocals and a groove-like feel in the back-end of the longest song on the album, this is "Eternal Sleep". Power! Force! Total Blasphemy!!

Jugaa - Eternal Sleep
http://ghalazat.bandcamp.com/track/eternal-sleep
http://www.facebook.com/jugaahc

So, everyone thought this was South Asia specific? NO!! Gazalat goes global when the include "Sangharsha" from the USA!! These guys describe themselves as Peace Core but actually are Sludge Metal. Beat that for contrast. We get a Nepali based song "Chik De" which literally means 'F**k it' in Nepali, guess that is enough for some insight into the song. The bass is prominently used in this one and is a totally different song in the context of the generally high-paced compilation! I don't mind that and actually came as a pleasant surprise to me!!

Sangharsha - Chik De
http://ghalazat.bandcamp.com/track/chik-de
http://www.facebook.com/shoutatsangharsa

This album proves that metal exists in every part of the world and for true there is talent galore everywhere, we just need to dig in.

Ghalazat MMXIII
http://ghalazat.bandcamp.com/

Download for free here (Yes, it comes for free!!) :
http://www9.zippyshare.com/v/1030251/file.html

Some cult pick's: Anti-kvlt, Urban Wasteland, External Sleep, Ancient Moot.