This melodic death metal band needs no introduction in the arena of the underground musical scene of Nepal, precisely Kathmandu. They are well known for their mind blowing live performance and cool attitude. They are the coolest music makers in the entire music milieu of the underground scene. Vhumi has Bikash Gurung on guitars and vocals, Anil Dhital on bass, Bibek Tamang on Drums and Dipesh Subba on Violin/Keyboard. Ashish Lama used to play Drums for this band before Bibek joined in. Vhumi was here in Pokhara in June 22-23, 2007 to rock the entire lake district. The occasion was PEC (Pokhara Engineering College) Fete, where a 'formal' metal gig was organised for the first time in Pokhara with recognized metal bands from Kathmandu. Vhumi played some of their originals in the event, namely, Variya, Suicide, Tribe, Stone hunter, Live to thrill and Dazzling face.pkrROCKS caught them and had a brief chit-chat with all the members of this versatile band. Excerpts:
pkrROCKS: Vhumi actually means earth/soil. Does this straightforward meaning has anything to do regarding the title of this band? Bikash: We can't ignore the actual meaning of this word, but actually the word 'Vhumi' is taken from Buddhism. Buddhism says that a human's mind consists of 10 parts and the 10th part is VHUMI, or in simple meaning earth/soil.pkrROCKS: So, from which bands/artists do Vhumi draws influences?Anil: Well, all of us have our own influences. I like listening to Yngwie Malmsteem, Sukarma and Rudra. Collectively as a band we like listening Slayer, Dusk, Winds, Ebony Tears etc the most.pkrROCKS: Is this the first time Vhumi has performed beyond the hills of the Kathmandu valley?Anil: Yes, this is the first time we have played outside the valley.Bikash: Once we were invited to perform in an event in Kurintar, but the whole event fucked up and we had to return without even playing a song.pkrROCKS: So how was the expectations before you rocked the show at the FETE? We mean, how did you people feel before performing in this event?Dipesh: We have had no idea about how the local crowd of Pokhara would react to our kind of music as we were playing for the first time in Pokhara. Besides, we have had great time in the highway while heading for Pokhara and had a feeling that lotsa fun is waiting for us ahead.pkrROCKS: Then what special did Vhumi discover after performing in Pokhara?Anil: The crowd of Pokhara is very decent. They just listen to the music and adore the performance. No shitty business at all. In Kathmandu, the crowd throws F words and embarrass the bands if they don't play some used to rocking numbers. The Pokhreli crowd is simply great and they enjoy music to the fullest.pkrROCKS: So is there anything about the event/crowd that Vhumi didn't like of?Bikash: There were no headbangers at all. Maybe they felt a little awkward coming in front of the stage and do little headbanging. However, i feel they really enjoyed the music.Anil: The whole event looked like as if a school's parent's day was being organized with prize distribution, speech, emcees, and teachers disturbing in the middle of nowhere to sing "Tagaro ma Rumal Rakhi" and "Pyari Saali ma Maya basyo" kinda numbers.Bibek: I was so fucked up with that heat. This is the first time i had felt so terrible while playing drums because of the scorching sun.Dipesh: Yes, I had to shift beside Anil while doing the last number to get rid of the scorching sun.pkrROCKS: What future projection is Vhumi is eyeing upon?Bikash: We are working on releasing our first album within a week's time. Anil: Besides we are working on for the video compilation of our original number called "variya".pkrROCKS: What else do you people do beside playing music? And do the members of Vhumi have any musical side projects?Anil: I have no such side projects. Beside playing music, i listen to music, sway and.....Bikash: Currently, I am working at "Our Studio", arraning music.Bibek: I am currently involved with Deadefy, the Slayer cover band, playing drums.Dipesh: I am also working in a studio.pkrROCKS: Any comments/suggestions to pkrROCKS and the audience of Pokhara?Anil: This is really a good motive that inspires metal listeners and local underground bands to come up with some good music. It started with ktmROCKS and we now have pkrROCKS. It should go like this and create a notion of "Metal Nepal". Tara je paye tei musicians chai na niklos....