While on my way to office in the morning, I put my headphones on and heard the latest performance of MADLOCK-Episode 4-in Pepsi Battle of the Bands, the competition that has everyone going crazy since a month now!
For starters, the nostalgia that kicked in was unbearable. I felt memories of the past kick in, of days gone by, of all those things left unsaid and all those things left unheard. I felt that dark, gloomy corner in my heart come out in the open, and I saw it all in front of my eyes.
“Kab hoga khatam yeh dhuaan, badalti nahin yeh zindagi, karounga is se zyada kia?”
Took me back to the days when I would ask myself these questions. A tear rolled down my cheek, as I felt the vocalist’s plea. The undeniable connection I had with the song was suddenly formed.
“Kia, yehi manzil? Kia, yehi raasta? Kia, yehi khuwaish? Kia, yehi khuwaish?
I remember the times I would ask myself if this was the path I was chosen to walk on, of all those hard times I had to pick myself up alone and walk: without the lovers, without the friends, with all the hatred they had in their hearts for me, with all the bad shit happening to me. I remember asking God if I had asked for this, because as far as I could recall, I hadn’t.
“Khuahishein Bikhar Jayein! Rastay Gum Jayein!”
And then, there were times when I wanted it all to end, and everything to just disappear. I wished for everything, good or bad, to just go away and leave me alone. Yes, that’s what dark periods in your life can do to you.
Here’s the song video for you to enjoy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHTXzHtpF5g
I smiled when the song ended, I felt strong and I realized I had gone through all that pain and misery on my own. This song made me feel strong, and those are my sentiments exactly.
‘KAB HOGA’ was a reminder of that DARK period in my life, where I couldn’t see anything in the future. If anyone would’ve made a song about it, it would be this. Madlock reminded me that I’m strong now, and came out of that phase in my life. They reminded me that I survived, and held it all together no matter how dark the skies got.
Starting out as a band who would play in the streets of Eden Avenue, the band has come a long way from arranging street concerts to Rock Gigs to landing them a place in Pepsi Battle of the Bands-and not just that-reaching TOP 6 in the whole of Pakistan.
‘KAB HOGA’ takes you back to the days when Fawad Khan himself sang songs of gloom, with the likes of ‘Hamesha’ and ‘Humein Azma’ and Call’s Junaid Khan singing ‘Shayad’ and ‘Pukaar’. What’s hard to believe is that Fawad and Junaid were grown adults when they started out, and Mehroze Gilani is still very young, so he’s at a solid start.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4hW01vQr9E
We love the overall vibe of Madlock’s rasp and the offering of very different vocals, much different from Pakistani vocalists out there. Even if a person who cannot understand the local language listens to this song, the VIBE can be so strongly felt and enjoyed. That’s what music is all about, I feel. Connecting people together.
I salute these young musicians, these young rebels of Pakistan. Please, it’s a plea from all those who think outside the box and don’t follow the masses-never give your music up. You give us hope.
The vulnerability you offer with all your musical experiments is something we truly have fallen in love with. Giving every inch of their soul to the revival of rock in Pakistani music, we, the small minority of rebels, see you clear.
Having said that, brands have to go through certain responsibilities & keep masses in mind whilst deciding the fate of such competitions, which is why it’s not at all about ROCK losing-it’s about Rock finally coming out there, having a platform of it’s own and OWNING it’s revival in Pakistan.
Without a rebellion, Malcolm X wouldn’t be an African-American Muslim minister and human rights activist. Without rebellion, Kurt Cobain wouldn’t be a grunge icon, even though he hated being called that. Without rebellion, millions wouldn’t be praising Chester Bennington for bringing ‘hope’ into their lives, with his songs about depression, loneliness, and being numb. All those people who stood up AGAINST the norms of society, and had something different to offer on the platter were always praised and loved MOST in the end.
Madlock made me think out of the box-and not accept standards society set for us-and that’s what I’m all about.
I believe in being different, I believe in having my own opinion. I believe in being my true self, and standing up for myself no matter what the odds. I believe in being a one-man army, and I believe millions will follow in time. I believe in the MADLOCK revolution, because Pakistan needs it.
