Summary
Five metal bands performed live at Mohit Moitra Mancha after one-and- a-half years
The concert was organised strictly in keeping with COVID-safety norms
Energy levels soared as more than 220 metalheads gathered at Prognosis Volume 1, a progressive rock/metal concert organised by a group of rock music lovers from Kolkata at Mohit Moitra Mancha (near Belgachhia Metro station) on October 31.
Three young rock musicians --- Ayushman Chatterjee, a third-year BBA student of Techno India Salt Lake; Saptarshi P. Basu, a 28-year-old IT Engineer; and Sayan Mukherjee, a 29-year-old Civil Engineer --- came together to put up the gig.
The line-up saw included bands from Kolkata --- Universe in a Crayon, Ronin, IN, Trees for Toothpicks, and 13th Notion — perform. Darjeeling-based band If Hope Dies was the main act of the evening.
“The progressive rock lovers of Kolkata demonstrated the amount of pent-up energy they possessed. It was a massive gig. Everyone returned home with sore throats as everyone sang along and headbanged. We can’t wait to organise Prognosis next year even bigger,” said Sayan, who is a drummer of Vesper Service.
Prognosis aims to promote progressive rock music and provide a platform to independent musicians and bands of India. “Our mission is to promote independent progressive rock musicians and bands from India. These musicians don't get many platforms to showcase their music and the pandemic has made it even harder,” said Ayushmaan, a third-year BBA student of Techno India Salt Lake, who is one of the vocalists of 13th Notion.
The rock concert was organised maintaining strict COVID protocol. “We arranged the seating capacity in keeping with COVID-safety norms. The entire venue and stage was sanitised the night before. We made sure people entered with a mask,” said Saptarshi, one of the musicians of 13th Notion, and Ronin, IN.
The pandemic had stopped all music concerts and musicians had to be happy performing online but nothing can beat a live show.
“We performed in front of live audiences after one-and-a-half years so we were extremely happy to go up on stage. On that night, the energy was off the roof and the kind of love we received was overwhelming. Online concerts have emerged during the pandemic but they cannot emulate the kind of atmosphere a live concert creates. As performers, we derive energy from the audience and Prognosis helped us get that experience once again,” said Akash Sherpa, the frontman of If Hope Dies.
Last updated on 09 Nov 2021
