This Saturday (29 November) at the Esplanade, roaring intense extreme metal music will collide with the precise harmonies of a classical orchestra for a unique concert entitled Cosmic Dissolution. Enduring local vedic metal band Rudra, which has a three decade plus run to date, is set to reverberate the theatre hall with their pioneering brand of aggressive, headbanging heavy metal music consisting of traditional Sanskrit chants. After all, the band is named after the ancient Vedic deity of destruction.
The four-man band has toured in various countries like the USA, India, Thailand and Indonesia, and was also the headlining act for Baybeats 2010 back on homeground. This time, the veteran metal stompers will be accompanied by Resound Collective, a 56-strong symphony orchestra led by the multifaceted bandleader Chok Kerong.
With such a bold and intriguing musical amalgamation in the works, Red Dot Diva had to find out more about what makes Rudra rumble. She managed to catch hold of their guitarist Vinod Vaskaran, and drummed up some very nosy questions for an interview:
Red Dot Diva: I am curious about your musical journey. How young were you when you fell in love with metal music? Do you recall your first band?
Vinod: I was exposed to metal music very early at home. My mum was into the pioneer heavy metal bands like, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple. While I was introduced to newer thrash metal bands like Metallica, Pantera, Iron Maiden, and Testament by my brother. By around age 12, I started to really appreciate the intensity and depth of the music and at 14, I finally bought my first guitar. From that point on, I was completely immersed. During weekends and school holidays, I would spend nearly 10 hours a day practising and learning my favourite songs. I knew even then that music was going to be a lifelong pursuit. By age 16, I joined my first band, Chaos Aftermath, a melodic metal band and within that year I joined a 2nd band, ‘Narasimha’. That was a Blackened thrash metal band. I recorded my first ever album with them. Did a number of shows and that experience cemented my path as a musician.
Red Dot Diva: Why did you choose to play the guitar? What is it about the instrument that moves you?
Vinod: I chose the guitar because it felt like the perfect instrument to express everything I was feeling energy, emotion, aggression, and melody. There’s something incredibly personal about it; every note, bend, and vibrato carries your character and intention. And whenever I listened to music growing up, I always found myself waiting for the lead guitar solos, that moment where the guitarist poured their soul into a few powerful lines. That feeling drew me in and made me want to create that same impact through the instrument.
Red Dot Diva: How did you all meet to form Rudra?
Vinod: We all crossed paths through Singapore’s metal scene, which was quite small community. So, passionate musicians naturally gravitated toward one another. An interesting twist in my journey is that my brother actually introduced me to Rudra when I first started getting into metal. He bought the band’s debut album and told me, “There’s a Singapore metal band you need to check out.” I became a fan long before I ever imagined playing with them. Fast forward to 2009, when I was asked to join the band. It genuinely felt like a dream come true.
Red Dot Diva: For those who are not familiar with Rudra's type of music, how would you describe it to them?
Vinod: We call our style Vedic Metal. It’s a blend of Indian classical influences, spiritual and philosophical themes, and the aggression of extreme metal. Think of it as ancient texts and mantras delivered through heavy riffs, driving rhythms, and intense stage energy. I personally find it both meditative and powerful.
Red Dot Diva: How do you prepare for each time you go on stage?
Vinod: Before any show, we spend time in the studio tightening the set and ironing out transitions. On my own, I warm up, run through key parts and mentally centre myself. Once I’m on stage, it’s all about being fully present and delivering and having fun. The crowd’s energy always elevates the experience and makes each show truly exciting.
Red Dot Diva: How did the idea of playing with a Western classical orchestra come up for your upcoming concert?
Vinod: Over the years, we’ve collaborated with dancers, classical musicians, and even Chinese puppeteers, and as musicians and artists, we’re always discussing new ideas to push the band forward in creative ways. During one of those conversations, we met someone from Esplanade who shared an idea that instantly grabbed us: Rudra, a Vedic metal band, performing alongside a Western classical orchestra. We were blown away by the concept and immediately wanted to make it happen.
Soon after, we met Chok Kerong, the orchestral arranger for this concert. I still remember him saying, “A show of this scale would normally take about a year and a half to compose and arrange.” Yet he managed to pull it off in under four months. His dedication and talent made this collaboration possible.
Red Dot Diva: What other bucket list items does Rudra have as a band?
Vinod: We’ve always dreamed of bringing Vedic Metal into more artistic spaces, and our collaborations with the Chinese puppeteers and the Western orchestra have opened our eyes to even more possibilities. We’d love to see our music featured in films and theatre productions, reaching audiences beyond the typical metal scene. Beyond that, we want to keep creating music that pushes cultural and musical boundaries, collaborate with traditional art forms, and share our sound with listeners around the world. Anything that breaks new ground is on our bucket list.
Red Dot Diva: In one sentence, tell us what the audience can expect in Rudra's upcoming Cosmic Dissolution concert on 29 November.
Vinod: Expect a transcendent, immersive experience where Vedic Metal collides with the power of a full orchestra to create something truly otherworldly.
Feel the powerful distortion of Rudra's music in one of their recent videos here:
COSMIC DISSOLUTION CONCERT
Where: Esplanade Concert Hall
Date: 29 November 2025 (Sat)
Time: 7:30 PM
Tickets: Starting from $45.65. You can use your SG Culture Pass!
Get your tickets at this link: https://www.esplanade.com/whats-on/festivals-and-series/festivals/2025/kalaa-utsavam/events/cosmic-dissolution
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