India’s heavy metal scene began to emerge in the 1980s, when bands in Mumbai and Bangalore started experimenting with heavier sounds despite limited access to international music. Early groups like Rock Machine (later renamed Indus Creed) and Millennium laid the groundwork for Indian rock and metal, inspiring a generation of musicians.
The 1990s and early 2000s saw the rise of a dedicated underground. Demonic Resurrection, founded in Mumbai in 2000, became one of India’s most influential modern metal acts, blending black, death, and symphonic elements. Cities like Bangalore, Pune, and Delhi developed strong local scenes, with bands such as Thermal And A Quarter, Kryptos (heavy metal), Bhayanak Maut (metalcore), and Scribe gaining national recognition.
Extreme metal has also flourished. Bands like Gutslit (brutal death/grind), Heathen Beast (black metal with political themes), and Plague Throat (death metal) have brought Indian metal to international stages. Meanwhile, Bloodywood became a global phenomenon with their mix of folk instruments, Punjabi rhythms, and modern metal, proving that Indian metal can succeed on the world stage without imitating Western styles.
India’s festival culture has been central to the scene’s growth. Bangalore Open Air is the country’s premier metal festival, hosting major international acts, while local events such as NH7 Weekender, Control Alt Delete, and numerous college festivals have provided important platforms for heavy music.
CITIES
FAMOUS METAL BANDS FROM INDIA
Bhayanak Maut
Bloodywood
Inner Sanctum
Kryptos