Forsaken's Drummer 'Owais Nabi' Interviewed

Interviewed by Kallol Bordoloi

UM: You guys released a track from your upcoming album “Hemispheres” titled “Desolated Dreams”. I gave it a listen and it was amazing, did you asked for people's opinions on it, have you had any change in your plans after that?

OWAIS: Well yeah we released it sometime back and the response by our forsaken family was very good. Many said it’s the best so far, you guys explored many genres in song, never thought Forsaken will sound like early Moonspell and your song structure is amazing like Amorphis. Our friend Nolan Lewis (Kryptos) appreciated our unique style of composing music compared to other bands around and liked our great sense of melody. It feels good and motivating when such an amazing musician pours out his views about us. We are confident that this album is gonna surprise and blow you out.

UM: That’s cool. Most of the previous reviews for your EP Disengage mentioned the production quality. Especially regarding the production quality, for Forsaken, I feel that's the only drawback I find in an otherwise awesome and complete band!! Have you guys put any thought into that?

OWAIS: Ya production quality is something which is an issue. But still we believe for an upcoming band like us we want people to concentrate on our music rather than the other factors. I know it matters a lot but currently we can’t afford it. We record our stuff at a place where it’s difficult to accommodate. We thank our boss ‘Arvind Sharma’ for helping us out. It’s a costly shit and hopefully soon we will record in a studio with a producer.

UM: You guys released your debut EP “Disengage” early 2011 and was a very successful start. Then how come you guys coming up with an album so soon?

OWAIS: Actually during the writing process of “Disengage”, stuff came out quiet well and we composed around 7 songs. It was a natural process and few of them were very different and just didn’t match the stuff we wanted. It was a different approach so we decided to make an EP of 4 songs and release it. After our EP, we got loads of time to think and recompose the tunes we had in mind. So currently we are almost done with it. We have around 7 songs in it; each song is different and off course sounds amazing.

UM: So was “Disengage” also meant your disengagement from what you guys were actually doing or was disengage not a part of what you guys actually wanted to do because I honestly loved the way you guys composed.

OWAIS: As I mentioned composing stuff was a natural process. We just love to compose stuff which sounds very good and most importantly it sounds different and unique from the rest as said by many well established musicians in Indian metal scene who have reviewed our songs.

UM: You guys were looking for a vocalist who could do clean stuff, have you found one? Do we get to see him/her do stuff in Hemispheres?

OWAIS: Well yeah we were trying out some stuff where we felt we could utilize clean vocals. But because of busy schedule we couldn’t audition people, although few of them were ready for it. Hopefully we will do it soon. Our songs are lyrically strong and aggression is something we always deliver. This time we gave our 200%.

UM: Your EP was up for free download. What about Hemispheres? And have you got any promotional plans and gigs lined up?

OWAIS: Well I guess we will be releasing it for free. We want our music to reach to every corner and every music lover. I thank you guys and other websites who have helped us in it. We have loads of gig’s coming up soon in Chennai and Bangalore as usual. Album will also be available in the form of CD’s. You guys can register now (lol).

UM: That’s amazing. How many songs do you plan the album to be? And does your motto 'that each song of yours shall be different' define the songs?

OWAIS: We have around 7 tracks. We have re-recorded 2 of our old classic tracks too. It’s not about the motto. We create stuff which are different in its own way. We don’t make songs keeping this motto in mind. It’s all about different ideas and concepts a person can come up with. We love thrash and it’s in our blood. We always decide to stick to our roots of melodic thrash metal while bringing a significant amount of our influence into every song we make.Each song by forsaken isn’t about one type of music. Few of the listeners have gotten confused with the amount of variety that is present in the songs and question our genre. That makes it more interesting. We don’t want a genre. We don’t want to be branded, ‘these guys play this kind of music’. There is always a dream of creating signature music and that is what we want to give. The people don’t know what to expect and that is the fun in making this kind of music.

UM: Wow superb. Moving on to the influences, who is your idol? And have they changed over time?

OWAIS: Well i started playing drums a year back keeping Joey Jordison in mind. Slipknot’s Voliminal DVD where he played an epic solo and Dave Lombardo amazing drumming on Slayer albums totally changed my world. I didn’t join any drum classes nor learnt anything from anyone. Over a period of few months, I have developed my own style when it comes to Forsaken. Mike Portnoy and Gavin Harrison instructions really made me focus on progressive drum concepts and as they say: “The last thing you need as a drummer is SPEED”. So I followed their concepts and focused on varieties and stuff on our music.

UM: Tell us something about your gear?

OWAIS: Well I started practicing on a second hand drum kit with a fucked up drum pedal. Later on we guys bought Yamaha DT Xplorer with DB double pedal for studio recording purpose and it was fun to play on it. Its damn costly but its worth every penny. My friends who play for few bands here cant play properly on it (lol). I mean its hard and tough to play on it, but that’s the fun behind it. Once you get hold of it, it’s all different game. My transition from electric kit to acoustic doesn’t affect our live shows at all. My band mate’s almost get surprised that I am able to play double fast on acoustic (lol). I also use Lars Ulrich signature drumstick.

UM: We believe you are looking forward for few side projects and few offers to join other bands? Tell us about it.

OWAIS: Yes its true. I am forming a studio project with my friends from Shimla. Its all about making good music and details will be out very soon. I got offers to play for Bangalore based metal bands too. Personally I am not eyeing for full fledged band, coz my main and only priority is Forsaken which is my dream child. Actually I am big fan of Doom metal genre, I always wanted to explore it. Hopefully a doom metal project too coming up.

UM: Finally what’s Forsaken plan after debut album release? Any preplanned discussion happened?

OWAIS: Nothing as of now. We are currently focusing on our 1^st full length record. Damn excited about it and have many shows lined up across South India. We also have an interview with Radio One 94.3FM and they are our radio partner’s from now. We will release the album soon and we hope our forsaken family and new fans enjoy it. As legendary Bruce Dickinson said “You want to point out to the last man in the crowd and make him feel special. Make him feel a part of the experience”.

UM: Thanks Owais. We wish you guys all the best and keep making good music.

OWAIS: A BIG thank you to entire team of Unholy Maunder. You guys have supported us a lot. Keep it Metal and Keep it SIC \m/