Stentorian gets ready to rev again
Stentorian are no new kids on the block. The underground music scenario in Bangladesh has had them for the better part of a decade now, although the name might have gathered some dust, with little noticed activity in recent times. Not for long, though -- the boys known for their loud, chaotic music are hitting the studios to record their new album. The Daily Star (TDS) caught up with four members of the band -- James, Rafiul, Tanim and Anabeel, and they spoke on their new ventures:
TDS: Why has Stentorian waited five years for their second album?
James Kabir: When we did “Protimuhurte” in 2005, we were all students. In the last five years all of us graduated, and our lives took new turns. The band also went through some shuffles and reshuffles in the line-up, so yes, it took time for us to get stable.
TDS: When recording an album, do you intend to put up a few easy-listening tracks that would probably get wider popularity?
James Kabir: When a young listener puts our CD in his/her music player, we expect their parents to freak out. We've never had the intention to do an otherwise commercially viable number. In the coming album, we have softer songs, but it's because our musical tastes and preferences have changed. We have not done anything that violates Stentorian's focus.
TDS: What does Stentorian mean? And how did the name come to being?
James Kabir: “Stentorian” means loud and clear. We, however, came across the word in a Greek dictionary, where it said “playing music very loudly.”
Rafiul Habib: It just so happened that we went to our former vocalist Torsha's place and were discussing probable band names, when he brought out a Greek dictionary. We jokingly said if we found any word on a random page that we liked, it would be the band's name, and the first one we found was Stentorian.
Tanim Sufiyani: Incidentally, the name of the band 'Motorhead' also came about in a similar fashion. We did not know it at that time. Maybe great heavy-metal minds think alike. (laughs)
TDS: So, how will the new Stentorian album sound like?
Tanim Sufiyani: It will sound very different from our previous stuff, but will hold the original Stentorian flavour. I mean to say we found more musicians and influences, over the years, and the listeners will get a taste of that in what we'll play.
TDS: Stentorian once featured Sumon (of Aurthohin) in their single “Bishonno Aadhare” in the album “Agontuk-3.” Will the new album feature guest artistes?
Tanim Sufiyani: Nothing confirmed yet, but we definitely have plans to feature guest musicians, from the local, and even international scenario. We're talking to some of them, but we can't say for certain how it is going to turn up.
TDS: Tell us about the sound, and the technical aspects of the new album.
James Kabir: The major share of our time has been spent on that, as a matter of fact.
Tanim Sufiyani: We have worked hard to create our signature sound for this album. We have invested quite some time and it seems to be paying off.
Anabeel Sen: The problem remains that we don't have the infrastructure or equipments that international bands have. But with whatever we have got, we're trying our best.
Rafiul Habib: We do not have one-third of the equipments that are considered “standard” for a recording studio. The issue of piracy once again comes up. It must be stopped if the Bangladeshi music industry is to develop. There are various legal complications, I understand, but something has to be done.
TDS: Where do you see the metal scenario in Bangladesh in five years?
James Kabir: I believe in five years, Bangladeshi musicians will be recognised internationally for their work. Our musicians will continue to aim for high standards, and we will make our marks in the global music scenario.