Interviews: Kasck

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Thrash Metal band Kasck from India. Check out the interview and follow this band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name? You planned it or came out just like that?

We were all excited about the task of finding a suitable name for our band when we first started. We wanted something that wasn’t just a “cool-sounding” title. So, one time, we were asked to play a show out of our town, and we still did not have a name. Somehow, this word, Cask, surfaced, and it seemed like it was waiting for us to pick, and we did the most obvious thing a thrash metal band would do, which is replace 'C' with a 'K' and add another 'c' to cask. That's how KASCK as a name was curated.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We didn't choose the genre; the genre chose us. There is some appeal to heavy metal, which is not easy to describe, but qualities such as being raw, aggressive, honest, and unapologetic. And of course, we have our heroes like James Hetfield, Tom Araya, Mark Tornillo, and many others, who gave us the larger-than-life picture. It's the high-energy complex riffs, aggressive vocals, and drums that gave us the emotional outlet, a platform to express who we are from within. Bold Honesty, in short.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Mayank (frontman/guitar), Saurabh (drummer /former member)...... Vishal joined in as the new guy on bass... Rahul joined in as the new guy on drums..

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Vishal: Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, etc

Mayank: Metallica, Powertrip, Havok, Suicidal Angels, etc

Rahul: Sylosis, suffocation, decapitated, etc

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

There is some appeal to heavy metal, which is not easy to describe, but qualities such as being raw, aggressive, honest, and unapologetic. Lyrically, you can see this honesty in all of our songs, most of our songs come from the spiritual and philosophical side of Mayank, who is always behind the questions which actually matter, like what is life, what is the meaning behind all of this, one day we are conscious and majority of us don't even question and just continue to play the game. Deal with the Devil and A Thousand Deaths from our previously released EP, you'll see why I am saying this. A lot of our new songs from the upcoming album go beyond this and ask even more overlooked but uncomfortable questions. We also have very strong opinions on the political, religious, and other societal agendas, and we do not hesitate to speak about them, eg, Death to the crooked from our EP. When it comes to the music writing part, we have been a band which jams together in the garage and that's how we have written most of our songs until now but the process keeps on changing with the line up changes, that being said, we are a Riff band and it's always a riff which comes to life before anything else and after that everything else is added.

6. Where was your last gig? 

Our last gig was in Delhi, the national capital, on 12th September, and we are gearing up for a mini tour in Malaysia and Singapore on 04th and 05th October, respectively.

7. Where would you like to act?

All Major Festivals - ALL of 'em!

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

The one and only M.E.T.A.L.L.I.C.A.

9. Whom not?

Coldplay

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

No stage fright as such, because of our unshakable confidence. We are positive about Kasck as a package that we deliver. KASCK shows are an experience, and we mean it when we say that. It's like a blessing from The Metal Gods, haha.

Tips for beginners: Hmm, Bring VALUE to the table, believe in your strengths (high emphasis on "Believe"). Single-mindedness mixed with grit will take you to your destiny. DON'T BE A POSER. Lastly, stop the hate on Lars, hahah.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Juggernauts like Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and more have helped us and many others like us make sense amongst the chaos. We simply cannot explain how icons like Jason Newsted, James Hetfield, Lemmy, Dimebag, Rex Brown, and Dave Lombardo have shaped us as musicians. We have unknowingly managed to create a blend of these influences in our work as a Band. These are just a few names that are actually ingrained in us, this love for Metal, but there are various others, outside this genre, who have also impacted our style and conduct.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Honestly, one of the weirdest things a fan ever asked us was if we could play a thrash metal version of their wedding song! It was hilarious but also kind of flattering that it shows how much they connect with our music!

13. What do you think of your fans?

Our fans! Kasckheads! We truly believe we have earned a few dedicated fans, wherever we go, whichever city/country we have conquered so far.

14. What do you think of our site?

Your site looks fantastic! It's very well-organized.

15. Something to add? 

We are excited to share our latest official single video, “Be Quick or Be Dead”, from our upcoming debut album. Probably the most "fun" song that we have ever written or played live. (and not an Iron Maiden Cover) 

The video has Kasckheads from different countries chanting the chorus. The idea came to us organically. In the early days, when Be Quick Or Be Dead, an interactive track was played live, we engaged with the crowd by asking them to chant along. We thought, why not ask them to participate and send in their video clips and get featured in the video? You can see the outcome. The inclusivity is what people dig, and we identified just that.

If you dig into the lyrics, they are still deep and meaningful. But the music? Super fast and groovy, which makes it a perfect blend and one hell of a track. One of the most rewarding ideas KASCK has come up with, until now. Watch here- https://youtu.be/dSVXpYVVM-8?si=w4k2ZSYz2tFbZavh