Lethal Legion: Interview of 1833AD

Hello guys! Its my honor to talk to you. Please take me few years back and educate me about the formation of the band.
When and how did 1833AD start?

Nishant: Back in 2006, Sushmit and I were looking for a drummer to form a band with. That’s when we met Shashank (ex-drummer), who at the time was playing for a local band. After we discovered our common interest in Black Metal we started playing together. We started off as a three piece band. But the kind of songs I was writing back then required another instrument to support it. So I considered the idea of moving to keys and let a better guitarist take over guitar duties (laughs). That’s when Rahul came in and he turned out to be this crazy ass shredder who could shred till his fingers bled. He had a very aggressive guitar style, thanks to his thrash years. So I decided to back him up in a dual guitar attack than go for an atmospheric approach involving keyboards. If I look back, I have no regrets. This is exactly what we wanted.

‘My Dark Symphony’ is probably the most awaited album of the year and it is expected to be out this November? What is the status of the album right now?

Sushmit: The tracking has been completed. That was the tough part, at least for us. Now it’s with Anupam Roy, Grey Studios for the final mix and master. I can’t reveal the concept as of now but I can promise that the album artwork would be the first of its kind in India. If there are no delays, we are right on track for a November release.

How many tracks will appear on the album? Is there any cover song that will be featured in the album?

Sushmit: The album features 12 tracks out of which 3 are short instrumentals. There will be no covers on the album. Don’t you get enough of that at our shows! (laughs)

How do you write songs and compose music?

Nishant: My thoughts root from the pain and suffering that I see around me, oppression by leaders and the supremacy of evil; how we have to tolerate it helplessly. I usually write everything in a fantasy scenario and hence if you were to read it off a paper it wouldn’t make much sense to you. But it’s crafted such that when you hold the album in your hand and listen to the songs, it’ll unveil itself to you. I hope it does (laughs).

About compositions, Rahul or I come up with one riff that branches out into a song. Now that I am in Bangalore, it’s a little difficult to synch up the work as writing and exchanging riffs over the internet isn’t the most efficient way to go. We could work much better if we were together in the studio brainstorming.

There are many songs that 1833AD covers. Is there any specific song that is your favorite?

1833AD playing a Burzum track at B69

Sushmit: As a band I don’t think we could narrow it down to one. But my personal favorite would be Tyrants by Immortal.

Which record label will release the upcoming album?

Sushmit: It will be an independent release in India. We are in talks with a few labels for its international release.

1833AD chose to play black metal long back when no one even thought of playing it. How was the journey so far?

Sushmit: We struggled a lot initially because no one was really interested in having a Black Metal band in their line-up. But slowly we started getting more and more gigs in and around Delhi which led to invites from other cities. Now we have played in almost all the major cities of India. It has been an eventful and a wonderful journey so far.

A few days ago you headlined The Black Mass Festival in Sri Lanka. How was your experience there?

Sushmit: Black Mass Festival was an awesome experience for the band. It was our first headlining gig outside the country. We shared the stage with 14 local bands from Sri Lanka and they were remarkable. At least 70% of the bands there are into black metal which is pretty cool. The most satisfying aspect of the tour was the overwhelming response from the crowd. We would love to go back and play there again.

Is there any specific band/artists that have inspired 1833AD?

Nishant: Lots of them! Mostly the greats from Norway but I don’t want to start naming them cause the list is just endless.

Band has always been surrounded by offensive comments, reviews, interviews and other similar activities online. Why do guys stay neutral to such things? I mean people can interpret that you agree with them.

Nishant: Well, it’s just a dignified and matured approach. If we’re in a band we have to accept the fact that people might love us, hate us, are jealous of us… If we can’t take all that in our stride, then we shouldn’t be in a band.

How is the metal scene in Delhi? Do you guys get to play often?

Sushmit: There was a time when bands like Third Sovereign and Acrid Semblance were the top metal bands in the capital. I miss those days. Kids these days seem to be turning towards Metalcore and Djent. A lot of new bands are coming up but unfortunately they all sound the same. Undying Inc of course is the most successful act around, and they deserve to be because they have found their own sound and have not got lost in the mix.

Metal gigs are rare in Delhi. However, when it does happen, we are part of it. Our next gig here is in September.

Do you think the Indian Black Metal scene is heading in the right direction?

Nishant: It definitely is. Not sure if it’s at the pace I’d want it to be in. But then we have to be patient. Like you said when we started off, we were the only Black Metal band around. Now there are bands and one man projects emerging from all parts of the country. So it’s growing but we still have a long way to go.

It was awesome to catch up with you. Thank you for your time. Now time to say good bye to the readers! :D

Nishant: Great talking to you too. I would like to request all readers to join us on Facebook and check out our music if you already haven’t. See you at our next gig.

1833AD is :

Nishant - Vocals/Guitars