Reptilian death

Reptilian Death

Reptilian Death is a death metal and grindcore project associated with the Indian metal musician known as Demonstealer, who is also linked with Demonic Resurrection. It begins in May 2001 as a solo project and is initially intended as a grindcore/death metal outfit. The project later expands into a band line-up and then returns to a solo format at different points in its history.

Early recordings and style

The first release is 5 Easy Ways To Murder Someone, a five-song recording issued at the end of May 2001. Each track is built around a different method of murder. The material combines death metal and grindcore, and also uses humour in a way that gives the project a spoof-like character.

Band formation and live activity

After the first release, Reptilian Death becomes a full band in November 2001 when Husain joins on bass and Jaivir joins on guitar, with Demonstealer taking on drums and vocals. The group prepares two new songs, No Way To Die and The 2nd Coming Of Evil, and plans to debut in Bangalore at the National Law Schools event Strawberry Fields. That performance does not happen, and the group instead plays an acoustic death metal set at Planet M because distortion is not allowed.

Back in Bombay, the band plays its first proper gig at Razzberry Rhino and receives a positive response for its high-energy performance. It then adds a second guitarist, Girish Menon, and continues on the local college and club circuit. The band also wins recognition for best drummer and bass player at a local competition, which is unusual for a metal act.

Later releases and changing line-ups

After a performance at the RAIT College festival in 2003, the group largely stops playing live because the members have other commitments. In July 2003 Demonstealer returns the project to solo status and records another concept song, Nursery Rhymes For Satan’s Children, alongside five original songs intended for an album. That album is postponed.

The band is brought back for IIT’s Livewire show, with Sunny from Epithap replacing Jaivir on guitar and Nitin from Morticide handling lead vocals. This is a one-off appearance and the last for Girish, who dies in February 2004. Demonstealer then releases the album Total Annihilation in July 2004.

After two years, Reptilian Death is revived briefly for two gigs at the end of 2005, with Pradeep from Demonic Resurrection on guitar and Sugath on vocals. Demonstealer then works alone again on the EP Intestinal Feast, with all music handled by him and Sugath contributing vocals and lyrics. The EP appears in late 2006 on the split CD Defaced and Split on Demonstealer Records.

Later line-up and activity

The project then tours again with Arjun on guitar, Husain on bass, Sugath on vocals and Demonstealer on drums. After touring for almost a year, it returns to inactivity. The project is described as being active again in 2008 with new material in progress.