Relapse Records welcomes the blistering grindcore force Chepang with their label debut, ‘Jhyappa’. Hailing from Queens, New York, by way of Kathmandu, Nepal, band has never been your by-the-numbers band.

They dub their music “immigrindcore”: They use samples from Nepali pop songs. They sing in Nepali. They embrace their immigrant identities. Group meld these elements together into an album about self immolation as a means of self preservation. Album touches on these philosophies through a ferocious grindcore attack that sounds as violent as the means through which the band wish to achieve redemption. Band share the official music video for the album’s opening tracks ‘Parichaya 2.0 / Shakti (Force)’ full video directed by CHUM Media. They comment: “Chepang is really stoked and thankful to Relapse Records and everyone involved for taking us in as a part of their family and roster. We are looking forward to the future and carrying on this “pursuit of understanding one’s authentic self” through this video and the record.”

‘Jhyappa’ was recorded & mixed by Kevin Bernsten (Full Of Hell, Integrity, ILSA) at Developing Nations & The Magpie Cage Recording Studios (drums only) and mastered by James Plotkin (Electric Wizard, Thou, Gridlink). The lyrics on LP are “hardcore Nepalese,” guitarist Kshitiz Moktan says: “This record is more personal” he says, about “trying to relearn everything about yourself, releasing all your negative energy inside you.” ‘Jhyappa’’s cover art (by Masato Chaos) is based on self-immolation. But not “about any religion or any government; it’s against yourself. Everyone has their struggles, in their own head and in life, but the only one that can fix that is yourself” Moktan explains. “One has to be closer to one’s self spiritually to defeat this and come out victorious.”

‘Jhyappa’ tracklist:

1. Parichaya 2.0
2. Shakti (Force)
3. Gati Chada
4. Ek Hajar Jhut
5. Khel
6. Drivya Shakti
7. Spastata Ko Khoji Ma
8. Nirnaya
9. Bidhai (Outro)

CHEPANG ON LP IS:

Bhotey Gore – Vocals
Wreckless Life – Noise
Gobinda Senchury – Drums
Dipesh Hirachan – Bass
Kshitiz Moktan – Guitars

Photo credit Steklovata Inc