Interview Interrogation: Aryan Shrestha from Naad (Bangladesh)

     Like many metal scenes across Asia, the Bangladeshi metal scene has experienced many ups and downs in establishing itself despite it's history extended back to bands like Warfaze in the mid 80's. Fast forward into the mid 2000's and bands like Trainwreck arise (formed in 2007); who in 2019 played at Wacken Open Air, now enter the 2020's and the next wave of Bangladeshi metal is upon us, one such band is Naad - whose visionary form of Death Metal has caught the attention of many metalheads across South Asia and beyond.

The trio dropped their debut album "Observable Continuum" last year and are gearing up for another blazing year full of activity as guitarist / vocalist Aryan tells GMA...

"The lyricism (involves) interpreting the world through a contemplative and mindful lens rather than strictly through a Vedic framework."

Talk to us about how the band Naad came to be, the history and challenges faced over the past 5 years.

     This project has evolved from a personal vision into our dedicated pursuit of cavernous death metal, beginning with years of conceptualization and demoing whilst balancing our other active musical ventures. The global pandemic served as a pivotal turning point; as our other projects dissolved or stalled, our focus shifted entirely toward this long-envisioned sound, leading to a partnership between myself (Aryan Shrestha) on vocals and guitar, and Aqib Noel on the drums.

     We spent that entirety of year 2020 internalizing the subgenre's soundscape and refining our chops, eventually crafting our first original composition and an Incantation cover before recruiting our first bassist, Prince de Costa. This foundational work paid off in 2021 as our song writing momentum accelerated, culminating in a debut live performance with a fresh arsenal of material. However, this growth has faced significant hurdles, including the DIY production for our releases and a revolving door of bass players, with near-annual line-up changes frequently challenging our forward momentum.


Your band name is Bengali for 'sound' and also is used in Yoga, as a band are you into Yoga, spirituality, the cosmos, etc? How did you decide on the band name? 

     The word was found from Vedic texts, particularly from the words ‘Anahata Naad’, which means unstruck sound or the sound that exists without any physical contact, and is also considered being the primordial vibration of the universe. While the root word ‘Naad’ refers to the sound, frequency, or vibration. And the word stuck with me long before it was envisioned to be put as our band's name.

     The lyricism moves beyond traditional religious references. Instead, it reflects a synthesis born from an observant psyche, interpreting the world through a contemplative and mindful lens rather than strictly through a Vedic framework.


You released your debut album "Observable Continuum" last year, talk us through the album recording process and the reception you received from the Bangladesh metal scene and abroad?

     The production began at the end of 2023 and was finished by the end of 2024. It took us a very long time due to multiple iterations of mixings and line-up changes. The album was co-produced by Ronan Yalid Diganta and myself. The entire production was super DIY, no fancy studios or equipment being used to record and mix. All were done at rehearsal pads and home.

     We have initially released the album independently. The reception was by far positive inside the country considering the circulation it could make within the local scene.


Overseas a review was published by the German webzine ‘Voices From The Darkside’ (https://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/review/naad-observable-continuum)

There was a post regarding our album launching gig, a few mentions / reviews via local Facebook PR pages, and a mention on the Rock & Metal Union FB page (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122242385036137939&set=a.122240450624137939)


Has metal music offered Bangladeshis the freedom to express emotions in a safe way; how is metal music perceived by wider society?

     Since its inception, musicians within the extreme metal scene have utilized song writing as a vehicle for their thoughts, addressing diverse themes ranging from socio-political unrest to blasphemous elements. Despite the lack of emergence of significant bands from the underground in recent years, significant extreme metal bands have spawned over past two decades such as Orator, Necrohowl, Warhound, Jahilliyah, Warhound, Eternal Armagaddon, Morbidity, Burial Dust, Infuscation, Torture Goregrinder and so on.

​     Whose work is characterized by solid craftsmanship and profound lyricism. Metal remains largely inaccessible to wider society due to prevailing economic and traditional constraints, and much like in other global scenes, artists rarely attempt to earn a livelihood from niche genres like death or black metal. While mainstream bands may achieve financial stability, these extreme metal practitioners operate with the conscious understanding that their craft is not a commercial venture; instead, it is a labour of passion dedicated to enjoying and spreading honest, realistic art.

     The Bangladeshi metal scene appears to have grown more with bands like Trainwreck playing Wacken Open Air back in 2019, is the future looking brighter for the scene? 

     The scale might not be big but since early 2000 our bands have been performing and playing beyond borders. In the past many of our bands have frequently toured India and Nepal. The band Orator has toured in most countries, they have toured Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore multiple occasions. There are emerging and promising bands who have the potential yet the ongoing geopolitical unrest has affected touring in the neighbouring areas. The communities are still connected beyond borders, hopefully the touring resumes as the situation gets better.


You did a live concert for the release of your debut album - how did it go? What was the reception like from those attending? 

     The gig was rushed without much planning, and couldn't do much PR for the event, yet the response was solid and impactful.


What plans does Naad have for 2026 and do you have any final comments?

     We had a long shelved EP overdue, we’re working on it, we wish to release it this year.
And finally our regards and gratitude to Global Metal Apocalypse for reaching out and supporting us.

https://www.facebook.com/naad.deathmetal