Vikram Duality CD

Thriving in Paradox, Conquering the Extremes...There are those for whom paradox is synonymous with fear – fear of the less-trodden path, the lack of security, and the absence of the “comfort zone”. And the formula in every new release today is testimony to that thinking. But then there are others. Those who see challenge in paradox. For them, this challenge represents an opportunity – to blaze a trail, to lead instead of following, and to stick by, and prevail in, their beliefs. VIKRAM represents the quintessence of this type of personality.Interested in the rock format since his formative years in New Delhi, India, he formed his first band, Children of the Faith, while pursuing his engineering degree – daunting tasks that were accomplished through an ability to balance priorities, as well as sheer motivation and unbridled belief. As the originator of the concept, the songwriter, and owner of Children of the Faith, VIKRAM utilized the band for bringing forth the rock and heavy metal format to unsuspecting Indian audiences nationwide. Through their music and live performances, the Faith, as fans lovingly referred to them, was everything an English language metal band embodied… revered by the youth, feared by their parents!After graduation, VIKRAM concentrated his efforts to further his musical ambitions and to reach out to larger audiences. Leveraging his previous band’s success and contacts, he solicited talented musicians in the leading local bands and wove them into a finely-tuned outfit. Enter Blitzkrieg. Designed for mass appeal, Blitzkrieg represented a unique mix of aggression, melody, and musical technique that soon conquered larger audiences and even larger venues than Children of the Faith. At its heyday, the band could be seen almost on a monthly basis – whether playing sold-out shows, hitting the concert road, judging national music competitions, or performing on national TV. Upon receiving a fully-paid fellowship for an MBA from Louisiana’s Tulane University, VIKRAM relocated to the US to pursue his academic and professional goals, putting Blitzkrieg to rest after three whirlwind years of success. Today, he resides in the Washington, D.C. area and “appears” to be content in terms of professional and personal success. But what IS contentment?Regenesis...A few years ago, VIKRAM’s passion for music composition and creative expression finally surfaced from the core. Networking quickly revealed new musical collaborators and further strengthened his desires. Choosing to go back to his roots, VIKRAM decided on the alternative rock format, Hindi language lyrics, and a focus on melody – to prove to listeners and nay sayers alike that rock and metal music can be melodic. The result of twelve months of musical aggression, lyrical catharsis, and scaring the neighbors, is VIKRAM’s debut release, "Duality". The Release...Crafted with as much heart as head, Duality is targeted towards anyone with an open mind and an appreciation for art. Playing all of the instruments himself, except for a guest drummer on selected tracks, VIKRAM has successfully crossed musical boundaries, melding various genres, languages, and styles to convey the attitude and conceptualization presented therein. Like everything in his life before, the songs on Duality again strike a balance – heavy, yet melodic; technically challenging, yet hummable; brutal, yet honest. Biker-rock anthemic in one instance and philosophically Zen in another, they portray doom, yet profess the strengthening of the self to overcome all odds. Almost all styles within the rock genre have been explored and then transformed for the global palate in a sound all his own – and a category he labels “IndiMetal”. Duality is a collection of songs that talk about various sentiments and emotions. In his compositions, VIKRAM talks not only of aggression, angst, and the darkness within man; but also of passion, hope, resurgence, and the ultimate power of God.