1. How did the “Albatross” happen? How did the members meet?
Dr. Hex: The band started out as my solo project. Bipro and Jay had been two musicians I’d admired for a really long time, who’d incidentally been my friends for 20 and 10 years respectively. After many lineup changes, Vignesh and Nishith became part of the band after various rounds of auditions, and I think this is by far our definitive lineup. Together, we’ve opened the gateway to various dark dimensions, drawing evil creatures to do our bidding. Hail Baphomet!
2. Do you think the genre “metal” has become? What according to you is the image that it portrays?
Dr. Hex: As in driven to the point where it has become obsolete? Hell no. I hardly come across rock n’ roll/alternative bands anymore. Most bands and festivals that happen in Mumbai/Bangalore in particular are metal festivals. Metal portrays whatever image you want it to portray. If you like your metal simple and aggressive, it portrays a particular kind of image. If you like your metal to be technically sound and complex, it portrays another.
3. What bands inspired you when you were starting out, pre and post-convicted?
Dr. Hex: I have no idea when we were convicted, unless you’re confusing us with the character of the cannibal from Dinner is You. But the bands that have inspired us are King Diamond, Iced Earth, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Death, Nevermore, Wolf, Hell, Manowar, Metallica, Megadeth etc.
4. What do you think makes “Albatross” unique as a band? Where do you think you stand in the Indian metal scenario?
Dr. Hex: I think we’re the only traditional metal band in the country playing heavy metal with clean vocals and long shred solos, so I guess that’s pretty unique. Where do we stand? Not next to the modern metal guys, for sure.
5. How does your band feel to be performing at the first ever Bangalore Open Air amidst popular bands like Iced Earth and Kreator?
Dr. Hex: Well there’s no Iced Earth anymore. But the opportunity to be sharing the stage with Kreator is one of the highlights of our career. All of the Indian bands playing are bands who I’m personally quite fond of. Most importantly, this festival will bring metalheads from across the country to one venue, and hopefully give us a chance to play to metal fans from parts of the country we’ve never managed to play to.
6. What kind of messages do you usually try to bring out in your song? How do you think your lyrics have an impact on the Indian audience?
Dr. Hex: Everything I’ve written so far has no social message. Our lyrics are purely for entertainment, to keep you hooked from song 1 to song 2 and so on. I’ve got both praise and brickbats for Albatross’s style of writing lyrics, and been called everything from ‘genius’ to ‘childish’. But personally, I’d be very disappointed if someone across the world wasn’t writing our style of lyrics, so might as well be the guy to do it!
7. As a band,what do feel about selling music online and illegal music downloads? Do you think it has hit the genre metal positively or negatively?
Dr. Hex: Negatively. Check my rants on facebook for more.
8. If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your discography?
Dr. Hex: We only have 2 EPs out, so we’re too young to worry about changing anything. If anything, I’d like to focus on getting more music out.
9. Tell us about one tour/ song close to your band’s heart.
Dr. Hex: I guess one song we unanimously love listening to and playing is Holy Diver by the legendary Dio.
10. What would you like to say to the future generation who want to get into metal music? Your advice to them?
Dr. Hex: Metal is not written from the mind, but from the heart. Stay true. Stay heavy. Trends will pass and fade, but real metal doesn’t. Also if you have entered this genre to earn money, go get a desk job now!
