There’s a new super-group in town, and they’ve got an interesting portmanteau for a name. Infinyght, a melodic/progressive metal band who formed earlier this year, comprises vocalist Berino Laban, his guitarist brother Britto Laban, bassist Narayan Shrouthy and drummer Yadhunandan Nagaraj (both from Neolithic Silence) and guitarist Naveen Thomas (from Galeej Gurus). They released their debut single ‘Pride Rite’ last month and are working on their debut album. Says guitarist Britto, “We’ve received very positive feedback from critics and promoters (for ‘Pride Rite’). Gigs will come our way. A music video is in the pipeline too. We hope to travel the length and breadth of our beautiful country playing with big acts at different venues and then the world. It’s some journey isn’t it?”
The story behind the band
Infinyght came into existence when the Laban brothers started writing a concept album joining forces with power house bass guitarist Narayan Shrouthy and drummer Yadhunandan Nagaraj. Guitarist Naveen Thomas completes the lineup. The original material was interpreted, enriched and brought to its final shape.
Says guitarist Britto Laban, “We were helped along on our journey by some amazing musician friends including Jeff Dharmaraj, Timothy Thomas, Jonathan Anand Wesley, Joe Jacob and Willy DeMoz who made this possible.”
You play music because
Vocalist Berino Laban says, “A combination of things. Once bitten by the music bug, it’s impossible to let go. The gratification of creating something new, the energy you feel from the audience when you perform live and playing music being a perfectly positive let out for pent up emotions drives us.”
You’ll still remember the time when
Drummer Yadhu talking about the memorable times so far, “It’s definitely the jam followed by a quick “dinner” stop on our way back home. We rewind the clock by a decade or so and it allows us to indulge like back in our college days. It was great fun tracking with Premik (Jolly, from thrash metal band Threinody) at his studio Area 51.”
The toughest part about being a young band
Guitarist Naveen says, “Some of us aren’t “young” any more. We’ve been there and done that with bands like Parousia, Myndsnare, Extinct Reflections, Galeej Gurus and the likes. But a lot has changed! Right from media to sponsors to promoters to venues to people. Music industry is evolving as we speak. Reminds me of this song by AC/DC, ‘It’s a long way to the top if you want to rock ’n’ roll’.”
The story behind the name
Britto says the name of the band is a play on the word ‘Infinite’ and ‘night’, which gives them meaning. Says Britto, “Infinite gives us a sense of the existential continuum in which we are all playing our parts. Night alludes to an element of darkness reflecting the current age.”
Musicians that inspire you
Bassist Narayan Shrouthy says, “Among other genres, we grew up listening to Bay Area Thrash, NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) and Progressive Metal. Individually, the influences wary and that brings in diverse elements and flavours to our music.”
Compositions over covers
Vocalist Berino talking about a typical Infinyght set says, “A typical set would be 50 percent originals and the rest being covers from iconic bands which inspired us, played the ‘infinyght’ way!
The joy of playing music to a live audience supersedes this debate (of covers and compositions). As long as the crowd is thoroughly entertained and the band enjoys playing, it shouldn’t really matter if it is a composition or cover.
Having said that, the high you get out of playing your own song and being loved and appreciated for it is something special indeed.”
Follow Infinyght on Facebook.com/Infinyght
