Harasis Wadhwa has had a prodigal run with his primary instrument, the guitar. At only 17, he has transcended not only the scales of the axe, but what is possible with it through genres, With a wide-ranging essence of compositions and genres that he has fallen in love with-he is beginning a new chapter in writing music. This latest single is called Purgatory, and why not start with the sky up?
Making the monster i.e Puragtory
With your single Purgatory, you’re aiming to register what the feeling in hell would be like. How did you go about composing this?
Talking about composition, the main idea to was put forth a sense of progression in my playing itself over the short time I’ve tinkered with the instrument. With this one I didn’t want to stick with the classic prog sound and structure, rather bring in a deathcore concept along with the meter changes I love to stick in.
Deathcore was something I was very recently introduced to with my former band Survival Through Suffering. Despite us taking 2 separate ways, I’m extremely thankful for the music and opportunity they exposed me to and have greatly contributed to my taste, which has mirrored onto this track. Taking these two elements into consideration, I wanted heavy breakdowns with tempo changes and sections that leaves the listener counting.
After I finished this track, I sent it over to Clément Durin, all the way from France to Mix & Master, and I was astonished with what he did with my stems. I was hearing things I couldn’t before in my own track!
If you have heard his singles, you know he means business. These are instrumental delights that showcase how he can run, flow and jitter through the instrument with great dexterity. While being able to blend genres like metalcore, he is still able to add the Hindustani touch to the tracks with how he approaches compositions. Purgatory however, really flips the script.
Inspirations and directions
Apart from legends like Richardson and Petrucci who can be heard in your music, who are some unlikely inspirations who help you compose or get into this genre?
Apart from Jason and Petrucci, I’ve really been digging Jeff Loomis and the more speculative side of Liquid Tension Experiment, especially their third Studio Record. I really look up to these artists for the compositional and production aspects and the way they can orchestrate pieces into true cinematic experiences. Except for the heavier end of music, I also love the Modern Jazz and Rnb world. Some musicians I admire for their improvisational skills and that make me want to sell my instrument off are Guthrie Govan of course, Kaspar Jalily, Ruben Wan, Rhythm Shaw and many more.
You watch Harasis Wadhwa go feral-not only in how he composes the song but performs it with a certain magic. It opens with a demonic riff progression, squealing with pinch harmonics and peppered with technical frills. Then it’s just a matter of keeping track of sweep picks, quick transitions and virtuosic display of excellence.
Beginnings and composing music
At such a young age, you’re composing complex pieces that have stunned the world (the reaction videos are fun to watch). Tell us about your journey into music.
I picked up the guitar about 7-8 years ago. My dad and I went to attend a commercial setup and my dad whispered in my ear, “do you want to learn how to play the guitar”, and he saw me glimmer with joy. I started lessons the next day.
At the beginning, I was sardonically a huge Ed Sheeran frantic, but slowly I graduated through complex genres and bands such as Green Day, Slipknot, Falling in Reverse Dream Theater, Jason Richardson, Animals as Leaders, etc. it kept getting complex and harder, but Prog stuck around for the longest and works for me too.
There was a 1-year break too as my family re-located to a different country soon after I began but when I got back into it, I wanted to go all in. I’m extremely grateful to my parents for supporting my dreams and letting me walk my own path, considering the uncertainty and fear. Also, with the help of my teachers and mentors that I have been very fortunate to be able to learn and still learning from are some of the best I have witnessed. I still have a very long way to go.
Making progress through sound
Harasis Wadhwa is not just finding the instrument to be an extension of him. He has found it as his obsession, every moment he finds himself to be free must be dedicated to improving his skill on the guitar. It is ridiculous how much he has got done in 7-8 years; this is dexterity people don’t get in a lifetime. He establishes himself has the heir to the deathcore throne, and he is too nonchalant to ever sit on it.
Global recognition as guitar talent
How was it featuring in Jared Dines legendary shred collab video? As far as we know, the whole metal community watches it.
I was on call with 2 of my buddies during my 10th grade exam period and at that time I had lost hope that he’d check it out as a lot of the videos of that series were already released. Happened to click on the latest one he had put out, hovering on the red bar left and right like a maniac, and there I was.
I used to watch Jared’s videos before I could even strum chords with all the strings exacerbating in proper resonance, and to be featured on his channel felt awesome. I was quite happy at the time, especially to get such news while being in the dreadful headspace of 10th grade exams.
Also read: Tom Morello Set to Ignite India: RATM Guitarist’s Debut Solo Tour Arrives in India
Finding joy and sound playing live
5) What about playing live? Is a band something you see coming together to help tour? Who would make it to your dream band?
This year I’ve played a few shows live in NCR and Kolkata too, but for the future, I will definitely be involving a drummer along with me on stage and in the studio for a more natural, huge sound. I’d prefer to stick to a 2-piece, along with backing tracks in the future to keep a well-knit and tight chemistry. It just keeps everything simpler.
The major thing I’d like for in a drummer is first if they can play the tracks accurately enough, their writing skills and something that’s often overlooked, how they really are as a person. It’s always better to have a chill dude behind the kit instead of a session player setup.
What the future is headed for
6) What about future music? What is lined up in the tracks for Harasis Wadhwa fans?
I’ve got another single in the pipeline for the beginning of next year, a possible birthday gift to myself. The upcoming track is different for sure. It inculcates a more Indian flavour, with the persistent heaviness I obsess over.
What inspired this sound was my parents pestering me and making me listen to Indian legends such as The Late. Zakir Hussain, Mohammad Rafi Ji, Ravi Shankar Ji etc. This fresh sound really flipped my mind, and I began bingeing on Pineapple express, Shakti and Project Mishram. Taking in such new and organic input made me think only one thing. I want the next track to sound something like this, but heavier.
Collaborations and to manifest more
7) We are on manifestation mode now. Tell me a collaboration you see happening?
I’ve been offered a few endorsements in the past year from companies around the world, but one of them that really stuck out to me was Sahana Guitars from Nepal. They endorsed me with their Khukhuri Pickups that I installed in my Ibanez RGA, and I was speechless when I heard then for the first time. They’re extremely tight sounding, and putting them in any sonic scenario resulted in me drooling all over.
Discussing musical collaborations, for the upcoming single I’m currently in talks with some Hindustani classical musicians. A flute player and a vocalist that I’m working with to help me elevate the track to make it sound fresh, along with the heaviness I obsess over.
It is a long way from Kinetic Theory and his feature on Jared Dines-finding his most powerful sound with mixing and mastering pro Clément Durin has made him a force to reckon. All of this, while it looks like he is just having fun. Listen to his music here with us!:
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Self professed metalhead, moderately well read. If the music has soul, it's whole to me. The fact that my bio could have ended on a rhyme and doesn't should tell you a lot about my personality.
