Band with a common language

by Rikaza Hassan

They are barely out of their twenties and bubbling with enthusiasm. They're "new age hip-hop," with lots of pop - "It's like a remix version of hip-hop incorporating everything from techno, trance, ..." They're Inhuman.

These four guys with "our four different vocal styles," have already finished their first video for their first ever single - Beyond the Shadows. Simply the first chapter of a story that the boys hope to tell with their future releases, the concept of the album they're working on presently will deal with of all things - "aliens." "Beyond the Shadows is about a female friend of ours who has gone missing, putting us under suspicion by the law.

We get out of custody and begin searching for her only to find out that she is an alien from outer space living in our guise."

The four Inhuman men make no bones about the fact that they are more influenced by the far west than closer to home. "Our style is international and very unique. We are definitely very different from other bands - We want to go to the crowd with a different style."

And what about the local elements in music that got new age music to the mainstream? "We speak an international language that everyone understands. There is no rule as such saying we must take our local roots into consideration." However their lyrics are trilingual: "I know a little Tamil since my mom's Malay. She helps us out with the lyrics as well," says Manoj.

"Hip-hop is what our lifestyles are all about. It connects to us and our audience." However their music speaks about "the dark side of life. We want to show a side of life that musicians usually don't." They also emphasise that their videos or stage shows do not include dancing scantily clad women, or any women for that matter. "We don't believe in using skin as a means of getting people to listen to us."

The four members of Inhuman are much disciplined creatures, practising every night from nine to twelve midnight. "If we don't practise we won't be at our best when we perform."

The four otherwise average joes are all set to release their album before the end of the year with more aliens, new age hip-hop and rap in three different languages.

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Manoj Denipitiya (20) (rap artist)

Allegedly a "funny" guy, Manoj does smile a lot (just about all the time) and wants to be popular. He also creates one of the biggest problems to the band - hanging on the phone to his girlfriend.

He mentions the word "love" quite often and will probably cry if you brought up stuff about his relationship that he does not wish to discuss. The woman he is in love with goes by the name of Shisha.

Sandun Wickramasinghe (22)

The neighbour of Manoj and hence in close proximity to his afflictions of love, Sandun is currently studying for his Bachelors degree in Commerce and is planning to sit for his Visharada examinations in India.

He is a "serious guy" according to his friends as well as a hard person who is in the least hard working.

Sameera Heendeniya (23)

Sameera is a man of many female friends, works out in a gym in an effort to look like John Abraham, loves bikes and gets vocal lessons from Nanda Malini. He also plays the keyboards and table among others and is currently engaged in an effort to grow his hair.

Sandun Wickramasinge (22)

The neighbour of Manoj and hence in close proximity to his afflictions of love, Sandun is currently studying for his Bachelors degree in Commerce and is planning to sit for his Visharada examinations in India. He is a "serious guy" according to his friends as well as a hard person who is in the least hard working.

Manurange Wijesekera (22)

Currently located in Welimada, Manuranga nevertheless continues to lead his band to more than the satisfaction of the others. The lyricist of Inhuman, he is also the visual director for their video plus other bands such as Centigradz and Whirlwind.

He believes that language "is a very beautiful thing." He is currently listening to the black metal Behemoth.