Interview with Neobolica: The Rising Stars of Neoclassical Metal

 

For those who might not be familiar, can you introduce yourselves and tell us a bit about Neobolica?

We are Neobolica,a neoclassical progressive technical band that's constantly learning, experimenting and pushing the boundaries of music and instrumental virtuosity. This is the brainchild of producer, Suraj Venkat and Band founder, Saketh Visveswaran. The band came together in 2023 and is composed of members and management
Saketh - Composer, Lead/Rhythm Guitarist, backing vocals

Arun - Clean vocals, additional programming

Nikhil - Drums, production, programming, mixing, mastering

Nishanth - Metal vocals, lyrics

Suraj - Producer, marketing, management

Prateek - Drone footage, Video Editing, Party/Promotions

How did you arrive at the name "Neobolica" ?

The name Neobolica has a special significance for us. Our music has a very heavy influence of neoclassical metal. And we incorporate elements from metal, specifically “diabolical” chants, themes and passages. Hence, Neobolica is an amalgam of “Neo” (from Neoclassical) and “bolica” (from diabolical).  

Who are your musical influences?

We draw inspiration from a wide range of artists and sounds. Some of our major influences on guitar solos/leads include technical bands/artists like Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul Gilbert, Necrophagist, Nile, Obscura, Inferi, Archspire. Neobolica will always be remembered for the technical and neoclassical guitar solos. For vocals, we find inspiration from more accessible bands for melodic singing like Karnivool, Tesseract, Trivium (Shogun era), Skyharbor. Also we incorporate classical Jazz, Indian, Egyptian and European music into our compositions. And you will find elements of symphonic metal acts like Epica in our compositions too. One of the hallmarks of our sound is the use of “chants” which we derive from Black Metal because crowd participation is a big part of the metal experience. 

Can you describe the songwriting process for Neobolica?

Our songwriting process is a collaborative effort. Suraj provides the brief, the concept of the song and some music ideas to Saketh. Saketh then begins constructing the guitars and shred solos. After which drums are added and the lyrics are laid out. Further layering, mixing and mastering are done once vocals are added. Then there are several sets of revisions (100s) because as very experienced musicians we have a very high attention to detail.

What's the message or theme you aim to convey through your music?

Our message is simple - there are a lot of lessons in mythology. Each of our songs is it’s own story. These created stories are inspired from ancient mythologies, which teach us something about ourselves and the cosmic realities. Our lyrical themes also have a thrash metal bent to them at times and we discuss pragmatic everyday issues like politics, the system, economics, etc  

How has the journey been so far? Any memorable moments or challenges?

The journey has been incredible. While some of us have known each other for years, it was not until we found our producer, Suraj that we could focus as one unit. We are enjoying good support from our friends and families. While challenges keep popping up, we find a way to overcome them.

Are there any upcoming projects or tours that fans should be excited about?

Yes! We're currently working on our first album, which we believe is going to be one of the most unique sounds for metal listeners. We're also planning a worldwide tour next year, so stay tuned for the dates!

How can fans connect with you and stay updated on Neobolica's latest news?

Fans can connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neobolica/ They can also subscribe and check out our tracks here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WVbSdWrBEo

Lastly, any message for your fans and aspiring musicians out there?

To our fans, thank you for your unwavering support and love. It means the world to us. To aspiring musicians, never give up on your dreams. Stay true to yourself and your art, and success will follow.