Kalodin is about to release their second EP shortly, here’s an interview with the main guy Davin Shakya done by Pranjal Ghimire.

1. Greetings from ktmROCKS, Davin. Your band Kalodin is releasing its second record in a couple of weeks’ time – you must be pretty excited!

Greetings. Yes, we’re extremely excited!

2. Tell us more about your upcoming EP, ‘SARV’. How different is it from your debut, ‘The Bestial Ritualism of Harlotry’ in terms of musicality?

The first album was a compilation of our first few attempts at creating originals. We wrote the music according to our background influences. There were different nationalities in the same band with vast options to write about; but eventually we settled with symphonic metal with a theme of fantasy, anti-religion, sex and all the opposing words one can think of.

Having stayed inNepalfor more than 3 years, we’ve now been inspired by some of our own culture. The music evolved in a technical way but the melodic aspects of it still remain. Brutality isn’t the only feel we’re going for maybe except for the song, “Trishula”, from the EP. And this time, I did the studio vocals and got backed by Sanjay Maharjan and Pranav Panthi. The ‘punch’ we got out of the layering technique turned out great.

3. Kalodin has seen a lot of changes in band members over the course of time. Does that affect the band’s musical direction a bit, as all the changing members must have different approach to music?

This has always been so since we were back inSingapore. After 2 years of hiatus, the old members got back and released the first album in 2010. It got difficult eventually when half the band had to move toNepal. But why stop, right? Sanjay Maharjan, Ashish Senchury and Gobind Senchury from ‘Garudh’ – talented musicians, who were introduced to me by Parash Shakya of Antim Grahan have been contributing to the band greatly. From my standpoint, I look at all of us as one. I do think it affects the band’s musical direction but in a great positive way enabling us to have a clearer perspective on how to grow musically.

The first album was an experiment. Take it as the first song you’ve ever composed. It is a learning phase but you still make do and continue. I have been personally influenced by Sanjay and his sentiments for music. Our tracks have always involved the cross between the musicality of Black Metal and our own influences. Our upcoming record also features Anil Dhital (White/Lakhey) on the Sitar for ‘Trishula’. So, it is definitely a different approach to the same intent.

3. How did you come up with the album title, SARV? What meaning does it hold?

In definition, “SARV” or ‘ZARV” is a Sanskrit word, “sarv” which means “to kill”. We’re greatly inspired by the sinister image of Hindu Deities and their epic stories. Such primeval references appeal to us. The word is being used in the song, “Trishula”, as a euphemism that expresses the violent tendencies to be detached from an enticed state of mind.

4. Lyrically, does the new album follow the same pattern as the previous one or is there a different approach this time around? What are the lyrics based upon?

There’s a hint of our old pattern in the current music because old habits die slow, I guess. And this is only our second ever release, but there is definitely a different approach to the lyrics. We have song titles like, “Trishula”, “Pathless”. It’s actually quite self-explanatory. “Trishula”, for instance was written in reference to ‘Shiva’, a Hindu deity with great significance that has inspired us to twist the lyrical pattern, to be perceived as an enraged manifestation of the deity. The lyrics of the EP are based on an eventual self-implosion of the general race and the discontent of it, to be brief.

5. Let’s talk about the recording process now. Tell us more about where and how it all went about.

We did all the recording and midi production at the band’s home studio except for the drums which was done at Phoenix Studio and Vocals & Sitar which were done at The Falls Studio with Coleton Paskert. We had already prepared to produce the EP last year but after reviewing it for some time; we had to discard most of what we wrote and restarted the production with a more enhanced theme. Physically, we have to run about to get equipment from different sources and it was hectic. We had our first drum set-up session in November, 2011 and had to recording immediately for all four songs within four days due to the wretched load shedding! Guitars, keys and bass were done at the band’s home studio. All the mixing was done at The Falls Studio.  The mastered files sound amazing in quality in comparison with the previous record; exactly what we were going for.

6. I believe you did all the production/engineering related works for your debut Album. What about this time?

Yes I did. For the first album, we had no choice and it was a learning phase but this time, we were fully equipped, facilities wise. We had a great engineer, Coleton Paskert to work with and learn many production techniques from. Gobinda Senchury on live drums helped the production sound better vastly with this tightness, delivering sick output upon completion of the final production stage. It involved a lot of cash and effort as usual but it has been completely worth it.

7. How do you plan on promoting your new album? Is there a specific ‘course of actions’ as such lined up?

Like all other bands in the internet, we promote the music online and send demos to webzines and media affiliates in the neighboring country and beyond. To start off, we are having an EP album Launch event on May 12th, promoting the release.

8. Thank you very much for you time, Davin. Best wishes for your new EP!If there is anything you’d like to say to your fans, this space is all yours.

Thank you for the opportunity! To those who are on the same page as us, we SALUTE you. \m/