Bangladesh is going through one of its most precarious social, economic and political phases to date, with multiple strange layers in between. The cancellation of various shows and even physical attacks at scale nationwide, including arson, mark a new low. However, the tension between particular groups of ideologues; labelling each other, and other forms of practices they dislike, as "oposhingskriti", or degenerate art/culture (which reminds me of Entartete Kunst, a term popularised by the party of a certain funny-moustached German leader)—is nothing new. In that context, a significant population still considers art practices like rock and metal music as "degenerates within degenerates", an apogee of "oposhingskriti" on Bengali soil; despite the scene producing some of the finest artistes and musical creations from this region.
Amid all this, Mechanix—one of the foremost archetypes of Bangladeshi metal, who have kept the practice alive with powerful lyrics and a piercing sound—pulled off their 20-year celebration concert, which felt not only like a breath of fresh air, but an act of metal itself, especially given the current circumstances.
Titled "An Evening with Mechanix—Celebrating 20 Years of Legacy", the landmark concert took place on December 27 at the capital's KIB (Krishibid Institute Bangladesh) auditorium. On that winter Saturday, hundreds of heavy music lovers—warm in black attire—ranging from fresh blood to familiar faces of different ages, from the underground metal scene's heydays at the Russian Cultural Centre (RCC) to beloved musicians who shaped our ears, along with Mechanix's family members—jam-packed the venue until 10:30pm to celebrate and witness history.
Upon entering KIB and admiring its neat architecture by the renowned firm VITTI, a harmonious juxtaposition caught my eye: an ongoing desi-themed wedding programme in the ground-floor hall and, after a long elevated open staircase, a metal concert at the upper floor's auditorium. Smiling at the scene, I took the stairs and tried to recall blurry childhood memories of watching Mechanix for the first time on television when they competed on "D-Rockstars". Later, as I submerged myself in the concert space—enjoying the occasion and conversing with fellow metalheads—I repeatedly heard the same sentence: "Continuing for 20 years as a metal band in Bangladesh is no joke!"
The lineup featured some of the zeniths of rock and metal from this country, alongside prominent and emerging names, and of course, Mechanix. Together, they delivered unforgettable performances. In heavy music culture, big underground shows of this nature create indescribably intimate musical experiences for both performers and the audience.
A few highlights of the show included an audiovisual tribute remembering Azam Khan, Ayub Bachchu, Shafin Ahmed, Zeheen Ahmed, AK Ratul, and Arafat Adit; names from heaven who illuminated Bangladeshi rock music. A surprise impromptu performance by Ibrahim Ahmed Kamal, who also sang a few lines of "Oshamajik", led to a jaw-dropping eruption from the crowd. And last but not least, Manam Ahmed and Hamin Ahmed of Miles, Abdullah Al Masud of LRB, and Ophelia Purno (her mature stage presence at such a young age amazed everyone) performed tribute covers, alongside Mechanix – dedicated to Azam Khan and Ayub Bachchu. The emotions in the atmosphere invoked so many memories, and this gathering to celebrate Mechanix's journey left an indelible musical imprint on those present.
"If life is a journey, then it is up to us how we are going to navigate the roads and drive through it. It is up to us which places we want to go. Twenty years ago, I knew where I wanted to reach with my band one day. But through the momentum of 'D-Rockstars' and then our first album, we reached there within the first few years. And then, the most difficult and puzzling times in our life came: inexplicable grief, struggles of lineup changes, and what not.
"But we persisted. We said to ourselves that we were not good enough, not big enough. We are determined to reach newer heights with our music, like Artcell, like Warfaze. We want to contribute more to the industry. These days, kids become rock stars before making any good music. But it takes a lot of discipline and grit to reach there.
"What descended in the venue tonight when we performed the tribute setlist is beyond words. As if Azam bhai, Bachchu bhai, and Shafin bhai were there with us today. As if Zeheen, Shahed, and Ratul were here with us today. That is the immortality of an artiste. They have reached immortality through their music. That is where I want to reach," said Aftabuzzaman Tridib of Mechanix, an artiste who needs no introduction.
