After their debut single ‘Surety’ was named Best Rock Song at Nagaland’s 12th Music Awards in 2020, Dimapur-based metal band VERSION2 is back with another single along with its official music video titled ‘Walk the talk,’ which dropped on February 19, 2023.
VERSION2 is a four-member band that was founded in the year 2019, on World Music Day, and is known for its music style that resembles System of a Down, Disturbed, Pantera, and Megadeth.
The band members include: Pauloi (Vocals); Jabez (Guitar); Henok (Bass); and Yongtaumetmei (Drums).
As individuals, the members has received several awards, including best bassist, vocalist, and guitarist on numerous occasions over the years.
With music critics calling the newly released single, a song with ‘Gnarly dissonant guitars, terrific hard-hitting percussion, and a beautiful production,’ Mokokchung Times attempted to connect with the band to learn more about VERSION2 and their creative process.
MTimes: Congratulations on the release of your new single “Walk the Talk.” What took you so long to release this new single following ‘Surety’?
First of all thank you Mokokchung Times for connecting.
Around the time of the release of ‘Surety’, ‘Walk the talk’ along with two more songs were already in process. The initial plan was to release an EP after completion of all the 4 songs together but decided to make a music video for ‘Walk the Talk’ and drop it during the time of election as the message fits the occasion, hence the wait.
MTimes: ‘Walk the talk’ appears to be a statement on the type of politics and power play that exists in our society today. Tell us a little bit about how the idea for ‘Walk the Talk’ came about and what it hopes to express.
Yes, it’s a direct approach to politicians and we planned to release it during the 14th NLA election.
‘Walk the Talk’ is a head-on message to leaders not to get swayed by greed but let conscience guide them to lead their people.
MTimes: Who among you writes the song? Also, kindly walk us through your creative process.
Our front man writes the lyrics. As per the creative process is concerned, like most other bands we initially work on the structure of the song before the vocal inputs. Once we come up with the main riff section, the shaping of the song takes on from there.
MTimes: How do you each improve your musical skills, and how do you believe the band has progressed musically and artistically since its inception?
We believe that hard work and consistency is key to any success and each one of us has our own home practice/jam routine to refine our skills. VERSION2 as a band always tries to think out of the box to create something new and unique for the audience. In this regard we as a band constantly evolve in our approach to making new music.
MTimes: I feel you must have creative disagreements at times. How do you resolve creative differences as a band?
Yes, we do have creative differences but we’re all rooted in Metal music at the end of the day. As mentioned earlier we like to think out of the box and incorporate different styles into our music during the creative process and that’s what shapes the sound of VERSION2.
MTimes: According to music reviewers we contacted, “the most appealing thing about this song is that the intro is filled with Gnarly dissonant riffs and it has awesome hard-hitting drums and a marvelous production”. How do you want to reply to that?
That’s a big compliment because we wanted it to sound ‘Gnarly’ as you’ve mentioned. Huge credit to our recording Engineer Kevi Pucho of Element Indie Records, he did a marvelous job.
MTimes: You have seen the success of ‘About Us’ from Nagaland. Do you believe that chances are getting better for metal music in the state?
Happy to see the success of our friends from ‘About Us’, they’re doing amazing. Getting to the question, when we won Best Rock Song for ‘Surety’ at Music Awards of Nagaland 2020, there were very few rock/metal bands but in the span of 2-3 years we have seen a good number of rock/metal bands emerging which suffices to say that chances are indeed getting better for the genre in the state.
MTimes: You have performed in a lot of venues. Which has been the best and why?
Well, we have enjoyed every single one of them but our favorite would be North East Riders Meet 2022.
We felt the love, connection and bonding with the riders from all over North East India.
An evening of VERSION2’s metal music with all riders in leather vibing and headbanging with us. A perfect date night!!
MTimes: Tell us something we don’t know about each of the band members.
Okay, apart from the passion and performing music, we feel blessed to say that we’re all government servants.
Our drummer and front man are into business and acting as well, in an exclusive and exciting Web Series to be released in the near future.
Our guitarist has his own side projects such as the YouTube channel – ‘Zeliang Badass’, a comedy based channel and ‘Abel and Jabez’, a fun music project of rock remixes and collaboration with other local musicians.
And our bassist runs his own multi-farming projects. His love for the stage and Kheti is unmatched (Laughs).
MTimes: Kindly leave a message to our readers and your fans.
We owe you people for all the Love and Support. Our objective being putting our efforts to bring back Metal, we need immense support from all music lovers.
“Let Metal Prevail”.
Big love from Version2