I appreciate the time you took to post information about Abiogenesis. I did take a few listens and this is my take. First of all I am wondering what are all those categories (like 11, 7, 9 and 85) where Grammy Nominations have been given for this band. They sure don’t sound like the regular categories.

About the music – The lead solo on “Whispering Mountains”, the YouTube video on their site is lovely. As instrumentalists, particularly lead soloing and guitaring I find these guys and particualarly bands from the North East truly skilled. We have a number of Heavy Metal bands from Manipur and the North East turn up for our music competitions here down south. But the problem with most of these bands is that they lean very much towards Heavy Metal. Vocalists are pathetically screaming most of the time. It looks like other than screaming nothing else is there in their reportoire. The bamboo instrument didn’t click with me either as it sounds like someone screaming nasally and sometimes trumpet-like.

These bands could certainly make a mark if only they were produced better and would go in for more melody, and use their vocals in alternate and different ranges. All music cannot be heavy metal. It just satiates the listener.

R.D Burman and his father S.D Burman were from Manipur and the mark they made in Indian cinema is an indelible stamp. We are looking for musicians as these from the North East or ones who could give us different stuff other than Heavy Metal.

The International Indian band Abiogenesis fom Nagaland has been listed in the Grammy Awards for the 2nd consecutive year. Rustic Relish is listed in the 51st Grammy Awards with 5 entries in 4 categories .
Listen to the listed songs at : http://www.rusticrelish.altpro.net

1 Category 11 – Best Pop Vocal Album
Album : Rustic Relish
2 Category 7 – Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
a. Be Free Like A Bird
b. Rumble Tumble
3 Category 9 – Best Pop Instrumental Performance
Nap In The Couch
4. Category 85 – Best Instrumental Composition
Nap In The Couch
Rustic Relish was released worldwide through APH Records on 20th August 2008 with the album being distributed internationally through CD Baby, USA and 60 plus digital distribution companies like Napsters, Apple itunes, Amazon, Rhapsody etc. Rustic Relish is Abiogenesis’ 2nd Howey album and their first howey album ‘Aeon Spell’ released through Saregama was also listed in the 50th Grammy Awards in 2 categories. Howey is a new music genre developed by Abiogenesis and it is a fusion of Naga folk tunes with various forms of modern music. Another unique feature of Abiogenesis is that they play a new wind musical instrument made of bamboo called Bamhum as a leading instrument invented by Moa Subong, a band member. Rustic Relish was recorded at Soul Speak Studios in Dimapur, Nagaland and the sound recordings were recorded and edited by Imli Subong. Abiogenesis are:Arenla on Vocals and Lead Bamhum, Moa on Bamhum/Guitar/Harmonica, Longden on Lead Guitar, Imli on Drums/Percussions and Kongdir on Bass.
Abiogenesis Website: http://www.abiogenesis.altpro.net
Rustic Relish page: http://www.cdbaby.com/abiogenesis/4
Bands Videos : http://www.youtube.com/abiogenesis88
Email Address : abiogenesis@in.com

This Shankar is L. Shankar. He is a violinist and used to be in the fusion group Shakti with Guitar Virtuso John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain the Tablist. He is also the brother of L Subramaniyam another virtuso on the violin. L Subramaniyam plays a one a kind Double-Violin too. They have another brother L Vaidyanathan, another violinist who passed away recently, actually last month here in Chennai.

Do stay in touch.