Guitarist Viresh of the Mumbai, India-based thrash metal band METAKIX has told The Times of India that there is need for Indian record labels to release and promote local music, so that bands can expect more avenues and opportunities to perform live.

"Metal bands from India are really getting in good shape all over," he said. "Finally people from abroad believe that metal music also comes from India."

The members of METAKIX are doing their part to promote Indian metal bands; they created a compilation, "Absolute Indian Metal", to showcase Indian bands' music annually. And now they are getting songs together for "Absolute Indian Metal 2".

Said bassist Nicky: "Life is very inspiring and we all feel that the best way to express ourselves is making music. There are so many people out there who are in various phases of life different from what we may be in, but we still connect well with them owing to the music that we make."

Not too long ago, METAKIX was covering classic rock and also acoustic set, a deviation from their thrash metal image. Vocalist/guitarist Zomb explained, "We just got opportunities to express ourselves musically. We divided our shows into three segments — short acoustic, major metal and short jam. But now we are back to working on a complete thrash and electric set, with all the hits from [the first two METAKIX albums] 'Headlines' and 'Connect & Inspire', along with new covers of bands like SEPULTURA, METALLICA, and BLACK SABBATH."

Read the entire article at The Times of India.