Rahul Mukerji believes music is a universal language, and “Dushtan” makes a strong case for it.
His new Indonesian-Metal-ProgRock-fusion instrumental track showcases both technical command and emotional intention, channeling the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic into something communal. Mukerji has spoken about how deeply the separation from peers affected him during that period, and rather than leaving those feelings unspoken, he translates them into a track that feels urgent, expansive, and human. This is a feeling that many relate to, wether that sense of lonliness was from the pandemic or elsewhere. Even more importantly, Mukerji brings others into the story, collaborating with musicians across the globe in a way that reinforces the song’s central theme: connection.
Part of what makes “Dushtan” so compelling is how it was built. Instead of relying on strict written notation, Mukerji shaped the composition through flexible structures, giving the players room to respond, interpret, and move inside the music. The ensemble includes instrumentalists trained in both Western and non Western traditions, and rather than forcing everyone into fixed parts, the recording makes space for each musician’s musical language. The result is a rare kind of fusion that does not feel like a collage. It feels like a conversation.
That intention extends to the collaborators involved. One of the featured musicians comes directly from Mukerji’s list of top inspirations: Leo Margarit, the drummer of progressive metal band Pain of Salvation. His presence adds weight to the track’s progressive metal foundation while still leaving room for the song’s Indo influences to lead.
The most immediate highlight is Mukerji’s electric guitar work. The riffs arrive with a smooth confidence, drenched in distortion grit and cutting through the mix with clarity. His sweeping lines are precise and fluid, and the phrasing never feels like technique for technique’s sake. Instead, the guitar becomes a voice inside the track, driving momentum while shaping mood.
Throughout “Dushtan,” Indo musical elements remain present and unmistakable, giving the song its identity even as it moves through progressive rock and metal territory. The genre blending is handled with taste and discipline, and it never feels forced. For listeners unfamiliar with Indo music, or those who have not yet ventured into progressive rock and metal, “Dushtan” works as an accessible entry point. It offers complexity without losing the listener, and it invites curiosity rather than demanding expertise.
With “Dushtan,” Rahul Mukerji delivers more than an impressive instrumental. He delivers a statement about what music can do when it is created with intention. In a moment shaped by isolation, he builds something that reaches outward, proving that connection is still possible, even across distance, genre, and tradition.
“Music is the universal language. This kind of asynchronous collaboration was a great way to pull people together during a time of separation.”
– Rahul Mukerji
Rahul Mukerji is from Maryland, but is currently based in Panama. His highly anticipated LP Mridingit is expected to drop this spring. Listen to the song on Spotify now:
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Written by Ryan Cassata
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The post Rahul Mukerji’s “Dushtan” Highlights Music’s Power to Unite Across Distance and Genre appeared first on ROCK THE PIGEON.