Just in time for Halloween, Alt-Metal band VAJRA release a disturbing, horror themed music video for “Wavering”, a dark ambient piece from their EP ‘Irkalla’.
Written, produced, shot, and edited by vocalist Annamaria Pinna and bassist David Sussman, “the video for “Wavering” is the third chapter of a larger film inspired by the Sumerian classic hero myth, ‘Descent of Inanna,’” explains Pinna. The pair just received three Official Selection distinctions from the Montreal Independent Film Festival 2021, the 2021 ARFF Paris and the New York Independent Cinema Awards for their video “Maya”, which was released last year.
On the release of “Wavering”, Pinna reveals, “this song is a very different format from the last three singles we’ve released. It’s more of a meditative piece rather than a full-on Alt-Metal song. In ‘Irkalla’, our objective was to weave a tapestry of melodic Alt-Metal with dark ambient experimental pieces that create an esoteric space to explore the dark night of our souls. ‘Irkalla’ is meant to be listened to in its entirety, and ‘Wavering’ is a part of that experience. What is important is that the music may provide a portal to go on a journey. The journey will be different for each individual. My musical heroes have done this for me. ‘Wavering’ may surprise some of our fans and we are excited to introduce this song as a bridge to our dark ambient musical side.”
In connection with the release, VAJRA will be holding a contest to give away the handmade coffin featured in the “Wavering” music video to one lucky fan, along with a full ‘Irkalla’ gift pack including: ‘Irkalla’ vinyl, CD, T-shirt, ritual pack, mask and stickers. Yes, VAJRA is actually giving away a coffin; a hand-constructed pine box made by an Upstate New York casket artisan, and perfectly suitable for burial. For contest rules, check out the band’s website and socials. The winner will be announced at midnight on Devil’s night into Halloween, and will be personally hand-delivered by the band within 99.9 miles of NYC. The contest is free to enter. Contest rules and details are on VAJRA’s website and social media pages.
‘Irkalla’ is available both digitally and physically on CD/vinyl. Physical copies include an additional dark ambient EP dubbed the “Shadow Queen Ritual Music” which is not available anywhere else.
Today’s announcement follows the band’s previous release this past August for the single “Crown or Crucify” which exclusively premiered with Revolver Magazine. Revolver explains, “Musically, the track oscillates between tender verses that explode outward during the choruses with crunchy guitars and frontwoman Annamaria Pinna’s robust vocal delivery. It’s powerful, catchy and sentimental all at once, and its video captures all of those elements visually.”
Their single for “Sever the Tie ” exclusively premiered on Metal Injection last December. They describe VAJRA as “a band that mixes sorta djenty prog with epic melodic rock. They’re sort of like if Jinjer and In this Moment collaborated.”
The band’s single “Maya”, released last year, charted on Billboard at #2 Mainstream Rock Indicator Most Added, and #26 Mainstream Rock Indicator.
VAJRA was formed by the esoteric femme fatale Annamaria Pinna during her self-imposed exile in India, where she wrote the band’s cult debut album ‘Pleroma’. The band has been championed by Loudwire, with the heavy music outlet featuring VAJRA on their Loudwire Music Festival and Rolling Stone proclaiming them a “must see act.” AXS said, “VAJRA is really something special and have managed to come up with a completely new sound of metal. They bring mystical, moody and haunting melodies to the stage that are completely entrancing.” VAJRA is Annamaria Pinna (vocals), Dave Sussman (bass), Al Javier (guitar) and Jimmy DeMarco (drums/percussion). Blake Fleming (ex-Mars Volta) played drums on both ‘Pleroma’ and ‘Irkalla’.
Named after a ritual weapon symbolizing the properties of a diamond (indestructibility) and a thunderbolt (irresistible force), Pinna explains, “I see us as travelers who go outside the bounds of a sense-based perception to catch a musical or lyrical idea and then translate it to the material realm. When we get out of our own ways, we are translators or conduits for energies that move through us. Honoring what comes through is important for us.”
VAJRA is:
Annamaria Pinna – vocals, flute, keys
Al Javier – guitars
Jimmy DeMarco – drums
Dave Sussman – bass
VAJRA online:
