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JRO XI YMCA was the place to be last weekend where some of the best music talent in the country cast a spell on the crowd with their music. NICKY

Last Friday and Saturday rock music lovers and bands from across the country were seen having a blast at the most awaited rock fest of the country, June Rock Out-XI, taking place at the YMCA Nandanam ground. The 11th edition of JRO featured 14 bands, short listed out of the 40 entries received from across the country. This event was very special for the organiser — Unwind Centre, as well as for the bands and the fans as it was happening in an open air set up after a gap of three years.

Day One

The wait was over when Chennai-based metal band Blood Covenant took stage to announce the beginning of the fest. The crowd gathered near the stage to bang their heads with their favourite front man Eddie. They kicked off with some white metal covers like “Reject” ,”Send Your Regrets”, “Ignite” and “Spirit Fall”. Next up was a Hard Rock band from Secunderabad — Realms. Though they were new to the Chennai crowd, with their technically sound music and original songs like “Escape From The Abyss”, “Liberation Songs”, “Worthless Imitation” won appreciation from everyone. Rohit’s drumming patterns and lead guitarist Shane inspired lot of upcoming musicians present there. Chennai’s popular fusion rock band E-Flat was next on stage. They did pretty well to keep their fans happy.

Next in turn was grunge/alternative rock band Nullfriction that played to a crowd that was excited about its come back after a year. Vocalist Shreyans made the crowd sing with him as he started with Pink Floyd’s evergreen number “Another Brick in the wall”. They also performed few of their upcoming album songs, and got extra mileage. Dark Horizon, a funk and reggae band from the Hills of Assam was next on stage. Vocalist Rainzong (winner of best vocalist at IIT-Kanpur), hypnotised the crowd. The band’s blending style of reggae with funk was very unusual. Their original songs “Star”, “Only When I am Drunk” drew good appreciation from the crowd. They were followed by Heretic from Cochin and Chennai-based classic rock band Rusty Moe, the last band for the evening. They started with “White Snake” cover and delivered their best show with the classic numbers of Ronnie James Dio’s “Children Of The Sea”, Ozzy’s “Mr Crowly” and Deep Purple’s “Highway Star”.

Day Two

The opening act for the second day was a jazz/blues rock band Touch Wood. Chennai’s own funk rock band Public Issue was next on stage. They also played a Michael Jackson medley in honour of the Legend. Crimson Wood, from Thiruvananthapuram was followed by Chennai’s Skrat. In spite of the rain, the enthusiastic crowd stayed put. Their original numbers “Adreneline” , “ Design” and Porcupine Tree’s “ Open Car” were highly appreciated. Bleed, a Bangalore-based metal band was next in line to deliver some powerful offerings like “Agony Of War”. Their original “My Game” and Pink Floyd cover “Another Brick In The wall” made the crowd go wild.

Interestingly, the band suddenly changed to melody and acoustics tracks like Goo Goo Doll’s “Iris” and “Vindicated”.The next band on stage was none other than Blood & Iron, the first metal band from Chennai to release their second album successfully. The crowd went crazy as they started playing songs from their new album, Dynamite World. The melody and powerful vocal in “Anarchy” and “The Altar” drew the huge crowd near the stage.Next was Abraxas, a five piece melodic death and progressive metal band. They were a pretty tight and showed good potential on stage. Their originals “Eyes Of Disgrace”, “Blackened memories”, “Sweet suffering” were loved by the metal-heads in the crowd. They kept the LOG fans happy with their cover of “Hourglass”.

Headliners

Then the crowd became restless to watch the best progressive rock act of the country MotherJane. Their fusion of contemporary rock and Carnatic music made them the proud winner of Asia Voice Independent Music Award for Best International Rock Act. The crowd started screaming out in joy as soon as Motherjane came up on stage with their half faces painted (in connection with their latest album Maktub signifying that we are human and we have a dream in our soul ) . Their performance was ignited by “Disillusioned” from their first album “Insane Biography” .

The crowd lost themselves with the versatility and brilliance of the Carnatic-laced lead solos and off beat rhythm drumming patterns, potential and eccentric vocals. In fact, during the entire performance most of them in the crowd were in trance. The band dedicated “Field Of Sounds” from their new album “Maktub” to the legend Michael Jackson. If you had missed them so far, do check them out when they play next time in town. In spite of the heavy rains, every soul present at JRO XI was mesmerized by the music. The crowd was drenched with the hammering music rather than the rain. Now the bands and their fans are already looking forward to the 12th edition of JRO for next year. 

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