There are days when good ole, down home brutality needs to be on the menu. When you have a band that wraps it all up with straightforward Death Metal and combines Hindu mythos, everything becomes that much more extreme and that much more brutal.
4AM and I can’t sleep, so I start looking up bands on YouTube. I’ve been discovering a lot of Rock and Metal bands I’ve added to my Consciousness Rock/Metal Playlist, and EMASCULATOR popped up with an interesting song title, “Eradication of the Asuras”. Now I knew the word ‘asura’ meant demigod in Hindu mythology, so I had to check it out. Straightforward musical assault with lyrics based on Hindu deities. Lyrics are in the video description page.
After that, I delved more into what this band offered. The “Eradication…” video was pretty recent (early Sept. 2024) and off their new EP, “The Disfigured And The Divine.” The second song I came across that fed my senses was “The Unassailable.” Now, coming after the assault from drums, guitar, and harsh vocals, there is a 180° turn on what’s expected.
“The Unassailable” starts off with traditional Indian instruments, then electric guitar, drum work, and then a recital of the first two verses of the ancient Vedic hymn, Mahishasuraura Mardini Stotram. No harsh vocals, ĵust beautiful traditional Vedic singing. I knew this was a Death Metal band I could admire. Reminded me of how NILE’s music and lyrics are based on Egyptian beliefs. Below the audio version is the English lyrics along with a transslation.
VERSE 1
Ayi Giri-Nandini Nandita-Medini Vishva-Vinodini Nandi-Nute
Giri-Vara-Vindhya-Shiro-[A]dhi-Nivaasini Vissnnu-Vilaasini Jissnnu-Nute |
Bhagavati He Shiti-Kannttha-Kuttumbini Bhuri-Kuttumbini Bhuri-Krte
Jaya Jaya He Mahissaasura-Mardini Ramya-Kapardini Shaila-Sute
VERSE 2
Sura-Vara-Varssinni Durdhara-Dharssinni Durmukha-Marssinni Harssa-Rate
Tribhuvana-Possinni Shangkara-Tossinni Kilbissa-Mossinni Ghossa-Rate
Danuja-Nirossinni Diti-Suta-Rossinni Durmada-Shossinni Sindhu-Sute
Jaya Jaya He Mahissaasura-Mardini Ramya-Kapardini Shaila-Sute
Translation
Salutations to Goddess Mahishasura Mardini— The daughter of mountain (implying Himavanta), whose presence brought joy to the entire creation, the One praised by Nandi; Residing on the peaks of great Vindhya mountains, O Glory of Vishnu, the One revered by Indra. Who is none other than Bhagavati, the consort of the blue-throated One (Lord Shiva), divine mother of the Universe, Source of Abundance who does all the great things (related to creation, perseverance, and destruction)— Victory to you, victory to you, the destroyer of Mahishasura, the One with beautiful-braided hair— the beloved daughter of the mountain.
The One who bestows boons upon the demi-gods, who defeated the demon Durdhara, the destroyer of Durmukha, O Blissful One; The One who nourishes the three worlds, who delights Lord Shankara, who frees us from evil thoughts, who is pleasured by war cries of demons rattled by Her acts. Who was angry at the sons of Danu (Danavas), furious at the offsprings of Diti (Daithyas), Who slayed the demon Durmada, O beloved daughter of the ocean. Victory to you, salutations to you; The destroyer of demon Mahishasura— the One with beautiful-braided hair; the beloved daughter of the mountain.
Below is an interview with singer Mallika Sundaramurthy with Vox & Hops Podcast. Here, Mallika talks about growing up singing with her siblings, discovering Rock and Metal and how getting into harsh singing vocals leads to playing in bands, guest vocaling, touring, and how it all brings her to the here and now.
Another interview, INTERVIEW: Emasculator’s Mallika Sundaramurthy on “The Disfigured and The Divine”, with GHOST CULT MAGAZINE. Here, Mallika goes into detail about the concepts surrounding their newest EP, The Disfigured And The Divine and how the album artwork, which Mallika painted, represents the Hindu Goddess Chhinnamasta.
Another great interview, The Age of The Goddess: An interview with Mallika Sundaramurthy of Emasculator, from Frozen Moon Promotions, goes into the songs on the EP, where the lyrics and themes represent various Goddesses, their stories and empowering oneself through those archetypes.
Below, the dancer featured in their “Eradication of the Asuras” video, Kalidasi, described the dance, and what each movement and gesture represents.
EMASCULATOR threads heavy music with spiritual themes that, woven together, brings the listener in on an exploratory tapestry of knowledge and mayhem. Can’t wait to hear more from these talented women.
For more information on EMASCULATOR
alongyourpath : sphota-meraki 