Rudra is arguably Singapore's most well-known metal band,
with a few albums under their belts and a healthy following
at home, with their popularity now beginning to spread abroad.
They describe themselves as "Vedic metal", the term Vedic
coming from Hindu philosophy, and indeed they attempt to
incorporate Eastern melodies and influences into their music.
To these ears, the influence is overstated (though this is
based on listening to 2003's Kurukshetra -- apparently
the followup, Brahmavidya, extends these influences),
as the style here is a sort of midpaced thrash/death sound,
with the occasional guitar riff that might remind one of
Melechesh at times,
at least a little bit.
The vocals are more in the black metal vein, somewhat
understated but effective.
Kurukshetra is a nice little album, not the most brutal
of death metal albums but with a fairly original style that
is worthy of recommendation.
