Đà Lạt 'Delusion is No Illusion' heavy on style and substance-spun2

'Delusion is No Illusion' heavy on style and substance
Aman Kanth From a bunch of iconoclast rockers making garage music in dilapidated barsatis, Indian rock has come a long way because the 90s. Once a taboo, it's really no longer a pariah, mimicking the West because it continues to be successful in carving out a unique identity of its own within the hearts of countless desi rockers. A band that believes in 'music in madness' and 'melody in mayhem,' Hundred Octane includes Arvind Singh (lead guitarist), Puneet Vohra (vocals and guitar), Tushar Pandey (bass guitar) and Kevin Binu (drums). Heavily influenced by Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, Iron Maiden, Pearl Jam, Manowar and Metallica's own James Hetfield, Hundred Octane is much like a classic wine which leaves an even aftertaste. Their theme and poetry is human, celebrating the joy of life and also the sorrow of death. Let's take a look at their latest album and find out what we have here.'Holocaust' is a beautiful limerick on troubled relations and the complexity of a broken heart accepting the terms using its past. Opening acoustically, the song stirs lost passion and brings forth the memories of the buried past. Check out its schmaltzy outro with an acoustical ending.'Delusion isn't any Illusion' starts with a haunting melody and entering bone crunching riffs is really a dark and an intimidating number. Its lyrics are terrifying and harbinger of doom. This guitar heavy number has some good vocal harmonies and chunkier riffs. The song is upbeat, making you dream of the sun's rays and also to get born again. It is an ode towards the likes of Sid Vicious, Kurt Cobain, Layne Staley and Michael Hutchence to whom death was victory. The song is about someone looking for deliverance, it is possible to second chance? Yes, 'Surrender to Victory' believes inside a second chance.'Mr. Masquerade' includes a smirk written throughout its face. If rock 'n roll is the religion, the song scorns those wannabes who join the scene for some time and discover it really cool to carry an instrument and pound drums.'You Me' is balladesque which dwells upon a relationship gone wrong and the person choosing to move on with life. 'You Me' doesn't wallow in self-pity; the pain subsides as you tries to rationalize the connection and involves terms with life and broken shards of memories. 'Delusion is No Illusion' is a great album to obtain introduced using the work of Hundred Octane. The songs have catchy hooks based on clean tones and heavy riffs, lightning fast solos, groovy drumming and tight bass lines woven around great vocals. The album offers style, substance, depth and variety. To say the least, headbanging continues!