One of Nagaland’s early metal bands, Vanadium, is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary with a special homecoming concert at Imkongmeren Sports Complex on December 30, 2025, starting at 6:00 PM. The concert will have free entry, making it open to music lovers across the district.
The band also confirmed that this will be their final concert as a band, marking the closing of a chapter filled with pride and gratitude.
Formed in 1995, Vanadium was born out of sheer love for music at a time when resources were scarce. With limited instruments, little formal musical training, and numerous challenges, the band pressed forward driven purely by passion and belief. Despite the odds, the group carved out a space for itself in Nagaland’s growing rock and metal movement of the 1990s.
Between 1995 and the early 2000s, Vanadium performed 20 to 30 shows across Mokokchung, Dimapur, Kohima, and Chümoukedima, including participation in the NE Beat Contest in Dimapur in 1997, one of the biggest platforms available to bands in the region at the time. The band largely performed cover songs, recalling that originality was often overlooked then. “Even cover songs had to be played exactly like the original, otherwise you wouldn’t be considered good,” the band reminisced.
As years passed, members gradually moved on to higher studies, business ventures, and personal responsibilities. Music, however, remained close to their hearts. The band’s last full line-up performance was in 2007, followed by a guest appearance in 2017 during the Silver Jubilee celebration of Squadron.
Vanadium suffered a major loss with the passing of original vocalist Imtitemjen in 2000, whose contribution remains an inseparable part of the band’s legacy. For the upcoming concert, the band will be fronted by Ponen on vocals, with Longden LKR and Temjen on guitars, Alem on drums, and Pokyim on bass. Satem will appear as a guest guitarist for the anniversary show.
For the anniversary concert, Vanadium will perform thrash metal covers from bands such as Megadeth, Pantera, and Metallica. Expressing a mix of excitement, nervousness, and gratitude, the band said they hope to showcase what Vanadium truly represents while doing justice to Mokokchung’s reputation as the “gateway of music.”
Although the band had wished to celebrate its 25th anniversary, the occasion fell during the COVID-19 lockdown and passed quietly. The upcoming concert therefore holds special significance. The band described it as a celebration of good health, friendship, and enduring love for music.
Through this moment, Vanadium hopes to inspire the younger generation, emphasizing that today’s musicians have greater access to opportunities. “Hold on to your passion and never give up,” the band said.
They further expressed hope that music promoters in Mokokchung would collaborate with the Mokokchung Municipal Council and district administration to create platforms and sustainable opportunities for talented young musicians.