Sledge

Hard voices, heavy metal and hellish fire unleash every time Sledge takes center-stage. Touted by the press as one of India's loudest bands, Sledge is every mother's nightmare. With a playlist ranging from Sepultra to Slayer to Metallica, they surely give the barman all the business he needs. And with Desert Of Souls, the Garage Rock all-India winners are also Hyderabad's first rock band to have released an album of their own. Haven't experienced them as yet? Ask the screaming fans who loyally visit every show Sledge has performs at the pubs in town.

Formed in June 1998, their line-up has changed in almost each year since "undeserving members abandoning them in crucial moments" plagued them. In a few months since the inception, cracks formed within the group. With only Anjan and Arvind left from the original five-piece set, it could have been the end of the story for Sledge. But the good Lord thought otherwise, and arranged for Arvind and Shadrach to meet in a church. Talk of Divine Intervention in a Heavy Metal band!

A young drummer Suman, to give them the basic beats, and Anjan's friend Samad on the guitar were roped in to complete the sound. In less than three weeks, this band rocked a jam-packed competition. Samad has since left the group, but continues to support and encourage these guys in all their efforts.

Sledge continues to excel and enthrall Hyderabadis with its mind-blowing music and a-breed-apart performances. Arvind on the vocals could give Max Cavelra a run for his money. Bassist Anjan is the engine of the band, and by day works in the marketing profession. Suman is an MBA student, and incidentally swept the Best Drummer at IIT-Delhi's Blitzkrieg 2002 where Sledge were the Runners-up. Shadrach teaches music, and, along with Solomon of Bloodmaze, has set up a music school - Allegro. The latest entrant is Karna who complements Shads on the guitar.

For all the metal-heads reading this, check out their latest single "Caught in the Crossfire". Then wonder why it is so tough to recover!!!

Psst? heard on the streets: "They're good, but too damn repetitive. Same songs since last year."