Dakini – In Kali-Yuga, Veda-Mantras Are Futile [EP]

Hinduism has gained a certain popularity in extreme metal genres, as it offers a wide spectrum of dark and evil symbols based on mythology and religion. While most of the ‘western’ bands are grabbing some of these ideas and interpreting them in an absolutely despicable manner (maybe if I said ‘wrong’ I could make some more sense, but the concept of ‘wrong’ is incredibly loose these days). That’s where Kolkatta Inner Order Propaganda (KIOP) are trying to bring some sense to people in the west, simply by propagating only the best of the subcontinent’s extreme offerings. And to make things more interesting, the bands under the KIOP sign usually use titles in Hindi or are using phrases which might not be unknown to the average underground metal fanatic… yet, very few of these fanatics really know what these phrases mean.

My knowledge of Hinduism (and Buddhism, which has borrowed a lot of ideas from the first) is rusty, but I managed to come up with a couple of definitions of phrases used on the newest EP by Dakini, because the understanding of these phrases helps a lot if you’re trying to understand this recording. While Dakini is currently known as the goddess ‘messenger of wisdom’, it was widely depicted as a demoness who feasted on human flesh / vital energy in its origins. But the most self-explanatory phrase on their BC page is the description of the genre they play. While today’s bands usually use ridiculous phrases (like ‘godcrushing Metal of Death’ or ‘Black Metal played during the crucifixion), their profile simply says ‘tantric grind’. don’t get confused here… ‘Tantric’ doesn’t actually mean anything sexual like most of you immediately assumed. The simplest translation of the word ‘tantric’ is ‘interwoven’ or woven together, which is one of the main ideas behind Hinduism (and Buddhism).

The connection between the physical, spiritual, mental and all the other layers to form a simple human being, who then engages with others and forms the ‘fabric of reality’. And that is exactly why this description is so accurate. The music itself could be considered a science project as it includes the exactly right amount of death, black, grind and noise to build a thick, dense wall of sound around its listener. If you enjoy it, it might help you transcend the idea that ‘tantric’ can only be used for sexual purposes. But if you try to fight it… it will consume you. In its less than 11 minutes duration.

You don’t need several hours of presentations and tests to teach someone a lesson. You just need a good example which will stay with them for as long as their memory serves them. Dakini most certainly achieved that here. As the title says, ‘In dark ages, prayer is futile’. (Black Mary)

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Nope. Black/Noise (or Blacknoise) has never been a genre that attracted many people, for quite obvious reasons. Even today where everybody all of a sudden is jumping on the Beherit-goes-live bandwagon, the Black/Noise scene is very much happening in the very deepest margins of the Black Metal genre. But, it has to be said, with the recent re-release of Beherit’s ‘Messe Des Morts’ by Werewolf Records, the upcoming reissue of Abruptum’s darkest and noisiest work by Nuclear War Now! Productions and also the tentative rehabilitation of Havohej, or rather the belated recognition of that band’s significance, is giving the genre a slightly higher appeal to those seeking for an even more savage sonic soundscape.

Still, like a true boy scout, you have to look for new acts in this particular pond. So of a real upswing we cannot speak. Like all previous years, it is still a matter of delving deep and being patient. In recent years, however, fans could, to their great delight, gloat over Tsalal, Blackstream and Kiloton, for example. In the same ranks also fits Dakini, although few productions, the previous (and first) feat dates back to 2020, it can without a doubt be counted as a highlight in the genre.

That 2-track demo was followed up by a digital single that was added as an extra track on the War Vellum reissued 2020 demo. Now we have reached 2025 and finally see the follow-up work, a 7” EP released by the always interesting Final Agony label.

Yet, musically Dakini has gone a bit of different direction. Those who were able to digest the 2020-demo, simply called ‘Promo 2020’, might remember the frantic wild vocals, thundering over thick layers of plain noise, hissing and reverb. If you are really knee-deep in that noise-filled swamp, then ‘In Kali-Yuga, Veda-Mantras Are Futile’ is quite a different beast to tame.

Like that 1-track single, ‘No Woman Is Needed For Spiritual Attainment If Woman Is Truly Understood’, the individual elements on this new 7” EP are much easier to determine. Saying that it sounds more accessible would be a laughing matter, but, in a way: yes, it is easier to wrap your head around. Especially if you are enjoying your fair share of bands like Tetragrammacide or Nyogthaeblisz. With its bellowing (and pitch shifted?) vocals over heaps of distorted instruments and relentlessly pummeling drums, it is almost a Conqueror vs. Dead Infection collision. Deadly, horrifying and most of all: absolutely deafening.

Hell no. This is not easy listening and not at all accessible, but I am sure this amazing piece of blind frenzy will appeal to many more people than the Indian band’s ‘Promo 2020’. If you recognize yourself in the customer profile of the above, then you know where to turn to find your niche. (Felix)