Smells like teen spirit
Music has an omnipotent presence in our lives, finding a way to permeate across borders and different cultures. In today’s world, teens and music have a completely different chemistry — what with the internet and connectivity available at the click of a finger, fresh genre of music is seeping its way into our society and into the stereos of the younger sect.
With the burgeoning metal music community, the music scene in the country has been completely redefined. Their efforts are being lauded and recognition is coming their way — the second edition of the Rolling Stone India Metal Awards has listed some of the India bands as nominees for this year. Competing for the title of Best Metal Album are two Mumbai-based acts — Exhumation and IAFWAY. This is indicative of the changing musical sensibilities of the youth, which has swiftly changed from drolly boy bands to hardcore death metal.
The teen music environment is seething with excitement; and at an all time high with legendary bands like Lamb of God and Metallica heading to India. “I’ve always drawn inspiration from local bands like Wolf’s Lair, Junkyard Groove, Molotov Cocktail and the likes. I never thought it would happen this soon. First it was the likes of Satyricon, Aersosmith, Iron Maiden and now finally, the Metal god themselves — Metallica is coming here finally and finding an audience among Indian metal heads and headbangers. It doesn’t matter that the tickets are so highly priced, these bands are worth every last penny. Getting to witness a live show right here in our country is an unfathomable feeling, I am ready to shell out however much it takes,” says 14-year-old metal head and vocalist, Chris Turd.
“From the youth’s point of view, rock music (or any form of music for that matter, particularly rap music) is simply a means of entertainment, just like watching television or playing video games. At the same time, they say that certain artists ‘speak’ to them and their teenage angst, which is just a phase when teens think that the only outlet for their emotions is music,” says professor Prerna Hiradhar. What is so engaging about this chaotic sect of music is beyond the understanding of most adults. Those who don’t have a taste for it, just frown and tag it as trashy cymbals of disarrayed noise. Which isn’t the case with youngsters who have managed to find consolation in all this clatter, says Psychologist Sheryl Cain. “Teen years are joyous, albeit troubling times. There are raging hormones, opposing cliques, and all sorts of politics. Some strive for scholastic success, but most feel one of two ways: they either obsess over gaining popularity or they try to ‘fit in’ by taking on sentiments of some of their peers,” opines Mridula Balesh.
Post new comment