Abhishek Hazarika from Noida Bringing Back Raw Rock Energy
Abhishek Hazarika isn’t your typical musician. A full-time corporate professional by day and a gritty, heart-driven rock artist by night, he’s carved a path that blends classical roots with grunge fury. Based in Noida, Abhishek’s journey into music started early. He began learning Hindustani Classical vocals at the age of 8 and completed his Sangeet Visharad, a BA-level qualification in classical music, by 2005. But even as raags and bandishes shaped his foundation, something louder and heavier was already calling out.
The call came in the form of guitar strings and distortion pedals. Between 2006 and 2012, during his college years, Abhishek immersed himself in rock music and picked up acoustic and electric guitar at the Noida School of Rock. From college gigs to local performances, the stage became a second home. His musical compass pointed strongly toward the raw power of grunge and the melodic weight of alternative and classic rock. Influences ranged from Soundgarden and Nirvana to Jimi Hendrix, REM, The Beatles, and Rage Against the Machine.
This eclectic taste and relentless pursuit of sonic identity culminated in the release of his debut album BRIGHTENDASH in November 2024. Spread across ten tracks, the album is a slow-burn experience that grows in emotional and musical intensity. It opens with textured, dream-pop influences and gradually builds toward an explosive finish rooted in progressive rock. True to its name, BRIGHTENDASH symbolizes a dash that leads to light, an artistic metaphor for rising above the noise with clarity and purpose.
The songs aren’t just soundscapes; they’re personal reflections stitched with distorted riffs and layered vocals. Each track stands on its own but also contributes to a larger arc. It’s the kind of album meant to be played in full, headphones on, volume up. While most artists today are chasing algorithmic trends, Abhishek leans into the music he grew up on and the honesty that drew him to rock in the first place.
Over the past two years, he released the tracks as singles, giving each one its moment. Some of these songs gained attention from major indie platforms like Rolling Stone India, The Indian Music Diaries, Extravagant India, and even caught the ear of respected critic Narendra Kusnur. Three tracks have aired on 93.5 Red FM Shuffle Northeast Edit, where he was interviewed by RJ Baio, diving into his creative influences and the spirit behind the album.
He’s also been a fixture at music events like the Northeast Festival 2023 and 2024 editions held in Delhi, where he’s performed his original songs to live audiences. Proof that rock still moves people when it comes from a real place.
What makes Abhishek stand out isn’t just his music. It’s the dual life he leads, balancing the discipline of a 9-to-5 with the chaos and catharsis of songwriting. His story is a reminder that passion doesn’t always follow the mainstream, and success doesn’t need to scream. Sometimes, it just needs a loud amp, a bruised guitar, and an artist brave enough to stay true to the sound.
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