KVHC Quartet Strangle Launches Third Album

By Mannu Shahi

Strangle is a hardcore quartet based in Lalitpur devoted to refining their musicianship and self-expression through angry loud music for over a decade now.  Although the group started out as a thrash metal outfit, ‘Strangle’ eventually shifted into hardcore/crossover thrash and the members have been continuously developing their sonic palette in this genre. 

Formed in 2009, the band performed at various outlets across Kathmandu and hustled in the valley’s DIY punk scene till 2014. After that, many of the active members then moved abroad for higher education. This edition of the band also put out a demo in 2012. 

After a two-year hiatus, the group reformed in 2016 with a new line-up and recorded their debut official publication: the 15-track album 'You’re Next In Line' (2017). This was followed by their second entry EP 'The Illusion' (2018), and their sophomore album 'Nation Failed' (2020).

However, a few numbers from the eight song EP are repeated on their follow-up 13-track sophomore entry. The present stack of members comprises Ashish Kayastha on guitars, Dipesh Joshi on drums, Bibek Tamang on bass and Santosh Shrestha on vocals. However, past band members included Utsav Thapa (vocals), Avinash Magar (drums), Ramesh Sunar (bass), Bikrant Singh Thapa (drums), Dipesh Gurung (drums) and Amrit Bhandari (vocals).  

On December 16 this year, the quartet released their seven-track self-titled third album at the Purple Haze Rock Bar in Kathmandu. The official collection of songs is available for purchase at their bandcamp handle. 

The album's launch featured the opening act by fellow Kathmandu Valley Hardcore (KVHC) associate Nainsook,. Both the groups presented astounding original sets, commencing a giant mosh pit beside the stage. The nearly 200 individuals in the audience were vibrantly applauding, head-banging and trying their best to reciprocate the energy emanating from the musicians dominating the venue. It was a splendid celebration of Kathmandu’s hardcore and punk culture presented as a part of Purple Haze Underground series. 

The launched album starts with ‘Sinking Ship,’ a crossover punk tune, the only song in the album to feature a guitar solo by ax-man Ashish. The second track ‘Dud Bhaat’ is reminiscent of the band's older materials; the fast paced first section is contrasted well by the halftime break down in the latter-half. The third song ‘Sab Jhuto’, my personal favorite, is a sludgy punk tune that executes odd meters and complementing rhythmic subdivisions. 

The hardcore tune ‘Passion Kills’ is the only single to have a music video. The video was released on December 11 via Strangle's official YouTube channel. The vulnerable tune presents the narrative of an individual “giving everything for their passion, sustaining without any returns and getting hurt in the process.” 

The video, created by Kush in collaboration with Laltin Studio, features karate champion Akira Gurung, artist Sanish Kumar Shakya and skater Anup Shrestha along with the band. All of them represent their specific mediums of discipline and continuous dedication to honing their craft. 

The fifth tune ‘Striving To Stay’ is an angry hardcore track comprising the most progressive structure in the collection with multiple transitions, breaks and build-up sections. The sixth tune ‘Malai Jeuna Deu’ starts with a pop-punk-like-riff but abruptly shifts to the signature Strangle flavour.

The double tempo palm mute around the midsection elevates the whole arrangement giving room for drummer Dipesh to shine with his garnishing chops. The album concludes with the thrash metal influenced number ‘Heaven’ that perfectly sums up the entire experience.